T350 Questions (cooling, cold starts and brakes)
Discussion
Hi all - just a few quick questions after a couple of weeks with my lovely T350: Ive tried searching but not found complete answers to my questions.
1. Cooling System
- Was doing all the usual checks yesterday on the car and I was puzzled by the cooling system. I have the cooling tank at the front with the seperate expansion tank on the o/s of the engine bay. I checked the level in the cooling tank with a spoon and the level was about 15mm below the top of the inlet pipe half way down. Does this need topping up slightly? Is it possible to just top the coolant up or does the whole system need to be flushed?
- I also do not know what colour coolant is in there currently and I know that you cannot mix them (if its only a little then I could just use water I suppose). I guess that the expansion tank should always have no water in it?
- Even in this weather (relatively cold) when I have been driving the car for quite a while and stop in traffic the water temp (normally 80-90) gets up to about 95 which is not a problem I know and both fans kick in, but my question is what will this be like in the summer heat and is there a slight problem that its hiding?
2. Cold Starts
- When starting the car from cold it really does seemt to struggle. I have to blip the throttle and keep it at 1000 rpm for 30s otherwise it stalls. the idle when cold goes down to about 500rpm which is where it really struggles. Normally the idle is around 850rpm which is fine so I havent bothered raising the idle control. Its a bit annoying because I reverse out of the garage and pull to the end of the road, but when I engage the clutch and brake the car stalls just as my nose is sticking out of the drive and I have to restart while looking like a bit of a numpty.
3. Brake System
- One other thing ive noticed is that when I am on a fairly steep incline or braking hard the brake system warning light and sound comes on for about a second and then goes off. I thought this might be just low brake fluid so I checked the reservoir in the footwell but couldnt see the level in it. Should this be right to the top or is there a level mark on there? I can have a further look and just top it up if neccessary. It is literally like all of the fluid sloshing around and causing a low reading as it is mainly on steep inclines.
Thanks for your help
1. Cooling System
- Was doing all the usual checks yesterday on the car and I was puzzled by the cooling system. I have the cooling tank at the front with the seperate expansion tank on the o/s of the engine bay. I checked the level in the cooling tank with a spoon and the level was about 15mm below the top of the inlet pipe half way down. Does this need topping up slightly? Is it possible to just top the coolant up or does the whole system need to be flushed?
- I also do not know what colour coolant is in there currently and I know that you cannot mix them (if its only a little then I could just use water I suppose). I guess that the expansion tank should always have no water in it?
- Even in this weather (relatively cold) when I have been driving the car for quite a while and stop in traffic the water temp (normally 80-90) gets up to about 95 which is not a problem I know and both fans kick in, but my question is what will this be like in the summer heat and is there a slight problem that its hiding?
2. Cold Starts
- When starting the car from cold it really does seemt to struggle. I have to blip the throttle and keep it at 1000 rpm for 30s otherwise it stalls. the idle when cold goes down to about 500rpm which is where it really struggles. Normally the idle is around 850rpm which is fine so I havent bothered raising the idle control. Its a bit annoying because I reverse out of the garage and pull to the end of the road, but when I engage the clutch and brake the car stalls just as my nose is sticking out of the drive and I have to restart while looking like a bit of a numpty.
3. Brake System
- One other thing ive noticed is that when I am on a fairly steep incline or braking hard the brake system warning light and sound comes on for about a second and then goes off. I thought this might be just low brake fluid so I checked the reservoir in the footwell but couldnt see the level in it. Should this be right to the top or is there a level mark on there? I can have a further look and just top it up if neccessary. It is literally like all of the fluid sloshing around and causing a low reading as it is mainly on steep inclines.
Thanks for your help
Edited by stub101 on Monday 29th October 11:18
1. Don't worry about the exact level, each car is slightly different. Check only to ensure you are not leaking any (mark your spoon if you like). Basically, 95 hot is about right, and provided the fans are coming on (one at a time) and the temp drops until they go off, all is well. As long as mine does all the above, I leave the cooling system alone.
NB. If you overfill her, she'll only piss it out as steam when she gets hot, which will worry you even more.
2. Lumpy when cold seems pretty normal, though yours sounds worse than mine.
3. Not had that. I wasn't even aware there was a warning light! This I would get checked by a professional.
NB. If you overfill her, she'll only piss it out as steam when she gets hot, which will worry you even more.
2. Lumpy when cold seems pretty normal, though yours sounds worse than mine.
3. Not had that. I wasn't even aware there was a warning light! This I would get checked by a professional.
grumbledoak said:
1. Don't worry about the exact level, each car is slightly different. Check only to ensure you are not leaking any (mark your spoon if you like). Basically, 95 hot is about right, and provided the fans are coming on (one at a time) and the temp drops until they go off, all is well. As long as mine does all the above, I leave the cooling system alone.
NB. If you overfill her, she'll only piss it out as steam when she gets hot, which will worry you even more.
2. Lumpy when cold seems pretty normal, though yours sounds worse than mine.
3. Not had that. I wasn't even aware there was a warning light! This I would get checked by a professional.
For 3, I started to get that under heavy downhill breaking. For me it was a pre-cursur to losing the clutch as the fluid was leaking.NB. If you overfill her, she'll only piss it out as steam when she gets hot, which will worry you even more.
2. Lumpy when cold seems pretty normal, though yours sounds worse than mine.
3. Not had that. I wasn't even aware there was a warning light! This I would get checked by a professional.
These cars are very sensitive to the level of water in the tank, that 15mm could make all the difference, i would top it up SLIGHTLY not to much as it could blow it back out when hot, however i was on the understanding that the "new mod" that you have on the cooling system eliminates this?
This might bring down your temps slightly.
The low idle could be an indication of the tappets closing up, again quite normal, when where the tappets last done, about 5/6k miles ago? I would adjust the idle in the mean time to make living with the car easier until the next service.
If you shine a torch in the foot well there is a clear max mark on reservoir, another tip is to check all your brake pads for wear, if they are over 50% worn then it is likely that the fluid has dropped naturally, if the pads are newish and the level is low, you MIGHT have a problem.
Good luck and keep us posted
This might bring down your temps slightly.
The low idle could be an indication of the tappets closing up, again quite normal, when where the tappets last done, about 5/6k miles ago? I would adjust the idle in the mean time to make living with the car easier until the next service.
If you shine a torch in the foot well there is a clear max mark on reservoir, another tip is to check all your brake pads for wear, if they are over 50% worn then it is likely that the fluid has dropped naturally, if the pads are newish and the level is low, you MIGHT have a problem.
Good luck and keep us posted
T66ORA said:
These cars are very sensitive to the level of water in the tank, that 15mm could make all the difference, i would top it up SLIGHTLY not to much as it could blow it back out when hot, however i was on the understanding that the "new mod" that you have on the cooling system eliminates this?
This might bring down your temps slightly.
The low idle could be an indication of the tappets closing up, again quite normal, when where the tappets last done, about 5/6k miles ago? I would adjust the idle in the mean time to make living with the car easier until the next service.
If you shine a torch in the foot well there is a clear max mark on reservoir, another tip is to check all your brake pads for wear, if they are over 50% worn then it is likely that the fluid has dropped naturally, if the pads are newish and the level is low, you MIGHT have a problem.
Good luck and keep us posted
I think I will try to put a little coolant in there but how can I see what colour coolant to top it up with as the cyinders are all solid??? hopefully that will bring down the temps a degre or two. Is it bad if it spits the excess out?This might bring down your temps slightly.
The low idle could be an indication of the tappets closing up, again quite normal, when where the tappets last done, about 5/6k miles ago? I would adjust the idle in the mean time to make living with the car easier until the next service.
If you shine a torch in the foot well there is a clear max mark on reservoir, another tip is to check all your brake pads for wear, if they are over 50% worn then it is likely that the fluid has dropped naturally, if the pads are newish and the level is low, you MIGHT have a problem.
Good luck and keep us posted
The car had is 24k service at the end of August and it has only done 1000 miles since that so I hope its not the tappets. My concern with raising the idle is that it could force the engine temps up when warm and cause moe issues there? Could it just be dodgy spark plugs or similar?
I tried shining a torch into the footwell but as its so difficult to get to I couldnt see the level of the fluid or where the mark was which was a pain. I have no idea on the pads as I have just bought the car but can soon check their levels etc. I think i'll top it up to the mark (if I can find it) and then monitor it for a few weeks / months.
Thanks for the very useful reply.
stub101 said:
T66ORA said:
These cars are very sensitive to the level of water in the tank, that 15mm could make all the difference, i would top it up SLIGHTLY not to much as it could blow it back out when hot, however i was on the understanding that the "new mod" that you have on the cooling system eliminates this?
This might bring down your temps slightly.
The low idle could be an indication of the tappets closing up, again quite normal, when where the tappets last done, about 5/6k miles ago? I would adjust the idle in the mean time to make living with the car easier until the next service.
If you shine a torch in the foot well there is a clear max mark on reservoir, another tip is to check all your brake pads for wear, if they are over 50% worn then it is likely that the fluid has dropped naturally, if the pads are newish and the level is low, you MIGHT have a problem.
Good luck and keep us posted
I think I will try to put a little coolant in there but how can I see what colour coolant to top it up with as the cyinders are all solid??? hopefully that will bring down the temps a degre or two. Is it bad if it spits the excess out?This might bring down your temps slightly.
The low idle could be an indication of the tappets closing up, again quite normal, when where the tappets last done, about 5/6k miles ago? I would adjust the idle in the mean time to make living with the car easier until the next service.
If you shine a torch in the foot well there is a clear max mark on reservoir, another tip is to check all your brake pads for wear, if they are over 50% worn then it is likely that the fluid has dropped naturally, if the pads are newish and the level is low, you MIGHT have a problem.
Good luck and keep us posted
The car had is 24k service at the end of August and it has only done 1000 miles since that so I hope its not the tappets. My concern with raising the idle is that it could force the engine temps up when warm and cause moe issues there? Could it just be dodgy spark plugs or similar?
I tried shining a torch into the footwell but as its so difficult to get to I couldnt see the level of the fluid or where the mark was which was a pain. I have no idea on the pads as I have just bought the car but can soon check their levels etc. I think i'll top it up to the mark (if I can find it) and then monitor it for a few weeks / months.
Thanks for the very useful reply.
just stick boiled tap water in, it won`t dilute the antifreeze.
Has your car struggled on idle since August? If so your dealer hasn`t ran the car up to temp after tappet adjustment and assesed the idle, what does it idle at when hot? Contary to what some might say on here there is no risk in adjusting i have done so twice on my Tuscan, and once on the Tamora between servicing with no problems what so ever.
Another thought on the temp, is the system might need bleeding, easy 2 min job on T350/Sag, a pig on the Tamora.
Top the brake fluid up to the "line" where the top part of the res meets the bottom if you know what i mean?
Just read the OP 850 rpm idle hot, should be 950 imo adjust the cold up to 750 this will do the trick.
Edited by T66ORA on Monday 29th October 18:23
T66ORA said:
stub101 said:
T66ORA said:
These cars are very sensitive to the level of water in the tank, that 15mm could make all the difference, i would top it up SLIGHTLY not to much as it could blow it back out when hot, however i was on the understanding that the "new mod" that you have on the cooling system eliminates this?
This might bring down your temps slightly.
The low idle could be an indication of the tappets closing up, again quite normal, when where the tappets last done, about 5/6k miles ago? I would adjust the idle in the mean time to make living with the car easier until the next service.
If you shine a torch in the foot well there is a clear max mark on reservoir, another tip is to check all your brake pads for wear, if they are over 50% worn then it is likely that the fluid has dropped naturally, if the pads are newish and the level is low, you MIGHT have a problem.
Good luck and keep us posted
I think I will try to put a little coolant in there but how can I see what colour coolant to top it up with as the cyinders are all solid??? hopefully that will bring down the temps a degre or two. Is it bad if it spits the excess out?This might bring down your temps slightly.
The low idle could be an indication of the tappets closing up, again quite normal, when where the tappets last done, about 5/6k miles ago? I would adjust the idle in the mean time to make living with the car easier until the next service.
If you shine a torch in the foot well there is a clear max mark on reservoir, another tip is to check all your brake pads for wear, if they are over 50% worn then it is likely that the fluid has dropped naturally, if the pads are newish and the level is low, you MIGHT have a problem.
Good luck and keep us posted
The car had is 24k service at the end of August and it has only done 1000 miles since that so I hope its not the tappets. My concern with raising the idle is that it could force the engine temps up when warm and cause moe issues there? Could it just be dodgy spark plugs or similar?
I tried shining a torch into the footwell but as its so difficult to get to I couldnt see the level of the fluid or where the mark was which was a pain. I have no idea on the pads as I have just bought the car but can soon check their levels etc. I think i'll top it up to the mark (if I can find it) and then monitor it for a few weeks / months.
Thanks for the very useful reply.
just stick boiled tap water in, it won`t dilute the antifreeze.
Has your car struggled on idle since August? If so your dealer hasn`t ran the car up to temp after tappet adjustment and assesed the idle, what does it idle at when hot? Contary to what some might say on here there is no risk in adjusting i have done so twice on my Tuscan, and once on the Tamora between servicing with no problems what so ever.
Another thought on the temp, is the system might need bleeding, easy 2 min job on T350/Sag, a pig on the Tamora.
Top the brake fluid up to the "line" where the top part of the res meets the bottom if you know what i mean?
Just read the OP 850 rpm idle hot, should be 950 imo adjust the cold up to 750 this will do the trick.
Edited by T66ORA on Monday 29th October 18:23
I have only had the car for 4 weeks and with the weather getting colder it has just struggled a little more when it is cold. The car was serviced on 24500 miles by Automdeon in August and then the guy sold the car, and I bought it in September so it hasnt really been used since the service. The idle when hot is around 850-900rpm which is why I was unsure about cranking the idle up a little. The system will have also just been bled as before I bought the car it had a new radiator fitted from Automedon as the other one had cracked. It might just be the system levelling itself and needs a bit of a top-up.
I will fill the brake reservoir to the line (if I can find it...) and then just see what happens, and see what happens when the idle is turned up. Just checked it this morning and it was cold idling at around 500-550rpm which is why its struggling
Gassing Station | Tamora, T350 & Sagaris | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff