F********g cooling system!
Discussion
Today was great because firstly, I fixed my dodgy temp guage snag, secondly because I found out I can ship my exhaust to Offords for Cherries for just £15!!!! And to top it off, we had a nice blast out in the Chim for a drink by the sea. Ace.
But THEN
I get home to find a hissing sound at the back of the engine (I've just changed the cam so I expected some tightening of jubilee clips and stuff) but no, this is coming from the O/S back of the inlet manifold. I can't quite see where from, but the pressure cap was chuffing away in sympathy with the leak. So now what? Inlet off again? Can a valley gasket fail in 4 days?
I'm at my wits end with the cooling system!!
Any advice or similar experiences??
Nick
But THEN
I get home to find a hissing sound at the back of the engine (I've just changed the cam so I expected some tightening of jubilee clips and stuff) but no, this is coming from the O/S back of the inlet manifold. I can't quite see where from, but the pressure cap was chuffing away in sympathy with the leak. So now what? Inlet off again? Can a valley gasket fail in 4 days? I'm at my wits end with the cooling system!!
Any advice or similar experiences?? Nick
You need one of these its a must for your tool kit.
https://www.delta.securesslhost.net/~sheng
Well worth the money and no more burnt arms.
https://www.delta.securesslhost.net/~sheng
Well worth the money and no more burnt arms.
Edited by Dave 500 on Thursday 3rd May 21:12
Check the heater feed and return hoses, you also may not have sealed round the rear water ways on the heads adequately. If the pressure cap is blowing either the cap isn't sealing or the system is overheating or you have something injecting gas into the system i.e. cracked block/leaking liners/HGF. Hopefully just the cap not sealing properly.
Hi,
sounds like a leaking inlet manifold gasket. May pay to retorque the bolts,they can loosen off, did you use the correct torque? I have seen some conflicting torque figures quoted for inlet manifold bolts, 28 ft/lb and 38 ft/lb. I used 38ft/lb and a smear of sealant around water ways on both heads and inlet manifold.
sounds like a leaking inlet manifold gasket. May pay to retorque the bolts,they can loosen off, did you use the correct torque? I have seen some conflicting torque figures quoted for inlet manifold bolts, 28 ft/lb and 38 ft/lb. I used 38ft/lb and a smear of sealant around water ways on both heads and inlet manifold.
I've also just replaced my cam, while doing so I had a good look at the waterways in the inlet manifold. They only 'connect' at the front - at the rear the manifold blocks them off - although the cutouts in the valley gasket are there, so it could be leaking from here I suspect? I would think if it was, there would be coolant ontop of the valley gasket?
Oz,
Checked the bolts last night and they were toight loik a toiger!
Tobs, I used sealer on the valley gasket, but I did not realise that the rears were not used. If I remove the inlet again today (considering that gasket is only 4 days old) do you think I coulds re-use said valley gasket?
Although I haven't been able to look properly yet (sun was low and blinding me!) I thought I saw water droplets on top of the valley gasket... hopefully I'll get in there today.
Checked the bolts last night and they were toight loik a toiger!
Tobs, I used sealer on the valley gasket, but I did not realise that the rears were not used. If I remove the inlet again today (considering that gasket is only 4 days old) do you think I coulds re-use said valley gasket?
Although I haven't been able to look properly yet (sun was low and blinding me!) I thought I saw water droplets on top of the valley gasket... hopefully I'll get in there today.
CaptiV8ed said:
The water ways around the back of the heads I presume is just down to the head gasket?
No, I mean the outlets to the inlet manifold - which are blanked off at the rear. I assume you used Hylomar Blue or equivalent when you reassembled, but it's possible it still hasn't sealed properly.
Well, I've got it all back together again now, with a new valley gasket (looks a better quality one than the previous one). I haven't fired it up yet, as to honest, I'm getting sick of the sight of that engine bay! If I can muster some enthusiasm later then bonza. What concerns me is that there was no obvious sign of a leak. I (really!) hoping what happened is that the valley gasket came away on its lower edge of the blanked off rear waterway, and the steam was taken up into the rocker covers. It was mayonaiseville Tenessee in there, but not other signs of oil water mix anywhere else. Fingers X'd!
'Ere we go then.
System topped up and went for a very satisfactory blast out. Got back, turned it off and returned 5 mins later to find a puddle under the car. (Choose multiple expletives).
I jacked it up to find coolant dropping off the sarter motor. After fitting the new valley gasket, it can only be one thing - the head gasket. (More multiple expetives). I can't see up in there very well, but what else can it be?
Now, when I fitted the head gaskets, they were torqued down to 30, then 70 lbs/ft. I did have one problem in reaching the back, lower bolt. My torque wrench wouldn't fit in there, so I had to use a normal ratchet with an extension to match the leverage. I was fairly certain it was as tight as the other nine. Getting in there is a feckin nightmare! I fail to see how a new gasket, sat on locating pins can fail this quickly.
I'm retiring now to emit more expletives and to try not to think of removing the inlet AGAIN, the bastard exhaust manifold AGAIN and spending hours hunched over the front wings AGAIN. F**k F**K F*ckety F**K!!!!!
System topped up and went for a very satisfactory blast out. Got back, turned it off and returned 5 mins later to find a puddle under the car. (Choose multiple expletives).
I jacked it up to find coolant dropping off the sarter motor. After fitting the new valley gasket, it can only be one thing - the head gasket. (More multiple expetives). I can't see up in there very well, but what else can it be?
Now, when I fitted the head gaskets, they were torqued down to 30, then 70 lbs/ft. I did have one problem in reaching the back, lower bolt. My torque wrench wouldn't fit in there, so I had to use a normal ratchet with an extension to match the leverage. I was fairly certain it was as tight as the other nine. Getting in there is a feckin nightmare! I fail to see how a new gasket, sat on locating pins can fail this quickly.
I'm retiring now to emit more expletives and to try not to think of removing the inlet AGAIN, the bastard exhaust manifold AGAIN and spending hours hunched over the front wings AGAIN. F**k F**K F*ckety F**K!!!!!
CaptiV8ed said:
Thanks, I will do that - before I have to tear it all apaprt again! Is the only way to do it using the Steve Heath swirl pot bolt?
You can buy standard pressure test kits that have adapters to suit most of the common pressure caps. There's nothing wrong with using Steve's swirl pot bolt though.
Gassing Station | General TVR Stuff & Gossip | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff