my 280i is overheating

[mrdobsi]

Hi Everybody i am new to this forum..Bought a 1982 silver Tvr Tasmin in December & have just got it M.o.t.ed & on the road..Last week...However it gets hot in no time and then goes to 130c on the guage..I have checked for water leaks and headgasket problems but nothing..I am wondering if these cars suffer from a airlock in the system..Mine has a new granada radiator fitted & a quality electric fan..So is it a airlock??..
Thanks for any help
Martin

[grahamw48]

Hi, and welcome to the forum!

I'm no expert, but mine used to overheat, and it was because the thermostat was faulty.

It could also be an airlock, and that's probably the first thing I'd check on.
I'm assuming you know the procedure for getting rid of it ? (be easier for you to use the 'search' facility on that one).

A hose that's collapsed inside is another possibility in such an old vehicle.

The cooling system really has to be topnotch on these fibreglass cars, because of their high underbonnet temps. It's just that plastic doesn't conduct the heat away as well.

Check that there is a proper shroud leading to your rad, as if it's missing the airflow is just totally up.

Have you checked that the fan IS coming on ?
Mine was originally fitted with TWIN fans - great, except that one wasn't working.

I ended up retro-fitting the viscous coupled fan, just for peace of mind.

Anyway, a few ideas - good luck.

[blaineuk]

sounds like an air lock, this is being discussed in another thread and how to sort it

[leorest]

Is the fan blowing in the correct direction? Does all the air go through the rad?
In these cars the original cooling system has to be in tip top condition to function properly. If any modifications have been made to the system, have they actually improved things? Read the recent threads on flushing, airlocks and what to check for.
It's always amazed me that out of so much nuisance heat almost none finds it's way out of the heater

[grady]

Simple things first. Don't assume your sender/gauge is working properly. Invest in an infrared thermometer and/or take it to a radiator shop and make sure that 130 is true. Grady

[barrington]

i had a silver and black tas had the same problem did the head gaskets when fitting unleaded heads had rad rear cored new thermastat 21 inch electric fan fitted and it still over heated when in heavy traffic

[mrdobsi]

barrington said:

i had a silver and black tas had the same problem did the head gaskets when fitting unleaded heads had rad rear cored new thermastat 21 inch electric fan fitted and it still over heated when in heavy traffic

[mrdobsi]

So does this mean i will never find a cure??
I am a little confuse..I try to reply to a post on my thred & is sends me back to this page>..
I will place a new thred and see if this works..Sorry for any confusion
Martin. Silver Tasmin wedge fixed head coupe

[leorest]

mrdobsi said:

So does this mean i will never find a cure??

Not at all. There are plenty of wedges which run well in all temperatures. Mine for one!