Cautionary tale

[jimed]

Sorry that this tale is a bit long - It being dry I went to the Barbon round of the British Hillclimb Championship yesterday. As we got there I joined up with another of the W Lancs guys in his Griff and he parked alongside. As we got out of the cars he remarked about the steam coming from the front of the bonnet as being deceptive as it had just stopped raining and the grass was wet - I said the cats (S3C - now seriously thinking of decatting) would be wet from the drive over the grass and thought nothing of it. After some of the usual chat and a quick coffee I lifted the bonnet to explain something only to find that I hadn't put on the header tank cap when I checked the water before I left home (doh!!) lucky I hadn't lost it! The header seemed to be fairly full so didn't worry.
We left at about 4.30 and drove home (scenic route with roof down) managing to just get in the garage as the rain came down again. I was emptying the usual days rubbish from the car and thought there was some condensation on the screen - seemed strange so decided to recheck the water level when it had cooled down.
This am checked the water level and had to put over 1 litre in - hmmm!! Drove the car out and left it running for a few mins whilst I got the mud off the sills etc and then opened the bonnet to find water p**sing out of the front of the engine somewhere. Switched off and had a better look to find that the new silicon hose from the thermostat cover to the swirlpot was pouring it out. A better look revealed that the jubilee clip had snapped; I had been checking they were tight as they ease off with new silicon hoses but I've not had one snap on the road before. Anyway a new clip is now on and another litre of water, etc, added and all is now back to normal.
There is a lesson here for us though about being careful when using old clips again - the new one is that much better - it seems thicker for one and also has better thread cuts and all for £1 so the old one was false economy! At least what was a nuisance was not an expensive disaster.
Jim

[ketvrin]

I think you've been lucky Jim... I went to the NE meet yesterday, the first run out (other than around the local lanes) since the winter refurb and I was sweating on whether the plug I put in the hole in the swirl tank would hold... thankfully it did I was carrying new stainless jubilee clips, bits of rubber and a gallon of coolant in the boot in case... I'll probably not need any of them until I take them out of the boot and leave them at home. I agree its not worth re-using old jubilees.

K

[jimed]

As it turned out it wasn't a problem Kevin - I did keep an eye on the temp gauge but it was fine - I'd rather not think about what could happen if your plug goes though. Weren't you thinking of a new swirl pot on an earlier post? (Could be like me and the decat pipes but I've now asked for prices ... watch this space - thinks its got to make it lots cooler under the bonnet - not a current problem but it would be better)
Jim

[ketvrin]

Yes I'm aiming for a new swirl pot and have plans already but I couldnt wait for it before going on the road. I must say I was looking at the temp gauge as much as through the screen at times though... so far so good but I know a new pot is inevitable...

good luck with yours

K