Prospect Posted September 28, 2014 Report Share Posted September 28, 2014 1956 TR3. Even if I only fill header tank 1 inch above the bottom I still lose water through the overflow leaving a trial of water and a puddle when I stop and have to top up every time I use the car. Have a 4 PSI rad cap fitted and no overflow tank. Comes to mind thermostat not working but engine temperature constant at 185 F when driving and heater hose hot. Any ideas welcome on how to sort or where to fit overflow tank as I have fitted on my TR4A. Tony Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BillS Posted September 28, 2014 Report Share Posted September 28, 2014 Is there any oil in the water (or water in the oil) just wondered if you may have a head gasket problem with a possible result of the water system being over pressurised. If not already done a compression test may give a clue. Cheers, Bill Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rodbr Posted September 28, 2014 Report Share Posted September 28, 2014 (edited) Long shot I know but have you checked that the radiator cap is actually sealing on the lip inside the radiator top? I have seen different length rad caps and it is not obvious when you look at them. Suggest that you dry off the inside lip and put some grease round the seal on the cap fit and then check you have a full circle of grease transfer. Short reach cap and long reach neck? So Illiminate easy things first. When you say top up how much are you topping up, is there coolant visible at all? Is the over flow tip wet. The reason for asking was that I had this problem initially and found the that drain tap had a weep at threads and the puddle was below the overflow pipe. Rgds Rod. Edited September 28, 2014 by Rodbr Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mike3md Posted September 28, 2014 Report Share Posted September 28, 2014 Tony, Are you trying to keep 1" of water depth in the extension just below the rad cap? If so, this will always "blow off". My 3 ran perfectly with just the merest hint of water visible when viewed through the filler neck. Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobH Posted September 28, 2014 Report Share Posted September 28, 2014 Seconded Mike - The water level in my '3A is just visible, maybe 1/8 inch, maybe less. Any more added just gets ejected. As long as it doesn't go lower than that there probably isn't a problem. Rob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BrianC Posted September 29, 2014 Report Share Posted September 29, 2014 Thirded! ... and in similar vein, don't waste engine oil by filling more than halfway between dipstick min/max marks. Anything over this will disappear very quickly, espacially if you have the open crankcase breather in the block. Strange to realise many more recent TR owners are slowly learning what we old farts learned so many years ago and take for granted. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
iain Posted September 29, 2014 Report Share Posted September 29, 2014 Fourthed -and totally agree with Brian re the Oil level. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted September 29, 2014 Report Share Posted September 29, 2014 Despite being an old f**t I had not heard about the oil level trick - noted. +1 on the water issue, even with an overflow bottle mine still looses water until cold level is about ¼" above base of header tunnel. Bob. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Prospect Posted September 29, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 29, 2014 Many thanks all will fill to only about 1/8" above the bottom of the extension and see if that sorts it out. Tony Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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