New Owner - 1st Problem - Overheating :(
Discussion
Just picked up my new cerb 4.2 V8 today and was a joy to drive back down the M40 until i hit traffic 
Coolant Temperature was fluctuating between 95-105 degrees C in the sweltering heat and sat in traffic for 2 hours. During this period the temp started to creep up beyond 100 c so i pulled over switched off and let the car cool. eventually got into town and hit traffic again and then steam started appearing on the passenger side screen....temp went up to 110+ so quickly pulled over and opened the bonnet....water all over the expansion bottle and leaking down. Let the car cool right down and noticed water under the car and in the passenger footwell. Knocked on a fellas house who kindly gave me some water and filled the system up.
It was enough and cool enough to get me home safely.
TGhe system with the heat has over pressurised itself and obivous something has let go. What would cause the coolant to leak into the passenger footwell? Any ideas?
Coolant Temperature was fluctuating between 95-105 degrees C in the sweltering heat and sat in traffic for 2 hours. During this period the temp started to creep up beyond 100 c so i pulled over switched off and let the car cool. eventually got into town and hit traffic again and then steam started appearing on the passenger side screen....temp went up to 110+ so quickly pulled over and opened the bonnet....water all over the expansion bottle and leaking down. Let the car cool right down and noticed water under the car and in the passenger footwell. Knocked on a fellas house who kindly gave me some water and filled the system up.
It was enough and cool enough to get me home safely.
TGhe system with the heat has over pressurised itself and obivous something has let go. What would cause the coolant to leak into the passenger footwell? Any ideas?
Are you sure it's overheating?
The steam you describe is coming from the expansion bottle.
The gauges are notoriously bad, as the capilliary tube to the bulb is routed above the exhaust manifold, cable tied to a hot water pipe! So they regularly read 10* over.
BTW:I do hope it was hot water you put in not a slug of cold!
Tim
The steam you describe is coming from the expansion bottle.
The gauges are notoriously bad, as the capilliary tube to the bulb is routed above the exhaust manifold, cable tied to a hot water pipe! So they regularly read 10* over.
BTW:I do hope it was hot water you put in not a slug of cold!
Tim
Edited by TT Tim on Wednesday 1st July 19:55
I have discovered with mine, that if you fill it anywhere near the level in the book, it blows the surplus out. Mine seems to run with the expansion bottle completely empty. So does another one I looked at the other weekend.
Also - if there is an air lock, even a tiny one, it won't cool properly. I had to bleed mine several times, the final time with the engine running and heater fan on full heat, to get the last of the air out.
Also, as Stu says, check that the fans are coming on.
Also - check that the radiator fins aren't full of crud - I had to jetwash mine clean. Don't do that while the radiator is hot or you'll split it!
Also - if there is an air lock, even a tiny one, it won't cool properly. I had to bleed mine several times, the final time with the engine running and heater fan on full heat, to get the last of the air out.
Also, as Stu says, check that the fans are coming on.
Also - check that the radiator fins aren't full of crud - I had to jetwash mine clean. Don't do that while the radiator is hot or you'll split it!
Great thank you guys. Yes both rad fans were working correctly at the given temps so no issues with them there. Is there a guide on how to bleed the cooling system properly? I guess i may have had an airlock causing excessive pressure build up hence overheating and it p*ssing the water out.
Why was there water in the footwell, it was drenched? would that have been where the overflow out the expansion bottle was going or a pipe leaking?
Why was there water in the footwell, it was drenched? would that have been where the overflow out the expansion bottle was going or a pipe leaking?
Edited by sk7ine man on Wednesday 1st July 21:26
Be careful about water in the passenger footwell, you probabally know this already but the ECU and other control boxes are down there behind a false pannel.
As for where it's leaking from it could be the larger dia' hose that hoes to the hardpipe from the bottom of the expansion tank or the smaller hose that goes to the top.
You may find it easier to get at the bottom one, if you need to check it, by removing the battery. It doesn't take long.
Tim
As for where it's leaking from it could be the larger dia' hose that hoes to the hardpipe from the bottom of the expansion tank or the smaller hose that goes to the top.
You may find it easier to get at the bottom one, if you need to check it, by removing the battery. It doesn't take long.
Tim
Yes its definitely ooolant as it was bone dry when i picked the car up. Ive just seen the guide to the cooling system bleeding so will try that and see how i get on. Will also have a look around the expansion tank area as i cant see where the water got into the footwell?
Oh and does anyone have an owners manual guide/link? This one http://homepage.ntlworld.com/dave.hinns/index.htm doesnt seem to work
Oh and does anyone have an owners manual guide/link? This one http://homepage.ntlworld.com/dave.hinns/index.htm doesnt seem to work
JensenA said:
Welcome to the Club mate 
- Hope you enjoy the car
Why thank you bud, despite the problems today im a happy chappy and certainly seems to have a friendly helpful bunch on here!! - Hope you enjoy the car Ah, does anyone know if there is supposed to be a vacuum pipe attached to the nipple on the end of what seems to be the fuel pressure regulator (end of the fuel rail at the back of the engine), as i had a peak around the engine bay and it doesnt appear to have one?
sk7ine man said:
Yes its definitely ooolant as it was bone dry when i picked the car up. Ive just seen the guide to the cooling system bleeding so will try that and see how i get on. Will also have a look around the expansion tank area as i cant see where the water got into the footwell?
Oh and does anyone have an owners manual guide/link? This one http://homepage.ntlworld.com/dave.hinns/index.htm doesnt seem to work
The manuals are also available from my site http://www.tvr-cerbera.co.ukOh and does anyone have an owners manual guide/link? This one http://homepage.ntlworld.com/dave.hinns/index.htm doesnt seem to work
There are a couple of places water can get in on the passenger side - my first guess would be where the heater hoses go through the bulkhead, above the transmission side of the footwell. I also had a slow drip around the rivnuts that the battery retainer screws into.
If the cap was leaking the water would run under the expansion bottle. This is where a number of cables and hoses pass through the body and lead to a space above the passengers knees. This is how the water would be entering. Remove the floor carpet, pullout the carpeted end panel and take a look because the ECU and assorted electrical control boxes might be wet.
Regardless of the ambient temperature the system should not be leaking. The temp gauge is inaccurate mine reads 105 most of the time in traffic. I would check the cap, fluid level, both fans, bleed system, look for leaking hoses/joints etc.
If you buy a new cap, make sure it is genuine. I bought a pattern one and it leaked immediately.
Regardless of the ambient temperature the system should not be leaking. The temp gauge is inaccurate mine reads 105 most of the time in traffic. I would check the cap, fluid level, both fans, bleed system, look for leaking hoses/joints etc.
If you buy a new cap, make sure it is genuine. I bought a pattern one and it leaked immediately.
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