pjc615ukuk Posted January 15, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2018 i'm with Waldi re the thermostat. Especially after standing for a while.Mine has done this 3 times after a lay up.I notice that he dose not say what reading on the temp gauge. Also check the rad cap is long enough to seal and the rad neck top is flat there by giving a good seal. ROY Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pjc615ukuk Posted January 15, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2018 Hi Roy. I did say the temperature gauge didn't move, and reads cold. The water in the radiator was cold too! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
roy53 Posted January 15, 2018 Report Share Posted January 15, 2018 so you did. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pjc615ukuk Posted January 15, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2018 i'm with Waldi re the thermostat. Especially after standing for a while.Mine has done this 3 times after a lay up.I notice that he dose not say what reading on the temp gauge. Also check the rad cap is long enough to seal and the rad neck top is flat there by giving a good seal. Hi Roy. I did say the temperature gauge remained cold, as does the radiator. ROY Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pjc615ukuk Posted January 17, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2018 so you did. PM sent Roy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DRD Posted January 20, 2018 Report Share Posted January 20, 2018 Hi Roy. I did say the temperature gauge didn't move, and reads cold. The water in the radiator was cold too! Peter any update on this? Interested to hear the prognosis. Darren Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pjc615ukuk Posted January 21, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2018 Peter any update on this? Interested to hear the prognosis. Darren . Hi All. After thinking I had cured the problem with the simplest ( new rad cap) of fixes, I've discovered today I haven't! After replacing the radiator cap, all seemed well. Ran the car for 15 / 20 mins and both the radiator got hot, and the temperature gauge registered to half way position. Happy days I thought... Tried the car again today, and whilst the car appeared to be OK, there was a point when the temperature gauge went from the half way point, backwards towards 'cold' I also noticed there does appear to be a lot ( much more than 'normal') more smoke / steam / fumes coming from the exhaust ??? Due to my severe lack of mechanical knowledge, I'm now a 100% certain that I've absolutely no idea what I'm doing, or even looking at! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DRD Posted January 21, 2018 Report Share Posted January 21, 2018 Peter, Did you have coolant escaping from the bottle again? The large amount of steam could just be the fact it's pretty cold at the moment. Darren Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobH Posted January 21, 2018 Report Share Posted January 21, 2018 The temperature gauge going backwards could just be the point where the thermostat opened - there would be colder water then coming from the radiator until the whole thing heats up. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mike C Posted January 21, 2018 Report Share Posted January 21, 2018 RobH and DRD could be right, there may be no major problem, but if you are not confident with your mechanical skills, I'd get the engine checked by an expert. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Graham Posted January 21, 2018 Report Share Posted January 21, 2018 When I had all the problems with BUO she was spirting water out of the overflow bottle but the temp gauge only ever reached 'normal' the cause was the hole in the bottom of the thermostat housing was blocked. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pjc615ukuk Posted January 21, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2018 Peter, Did you have coolant escaping from the bottle again? The large amount of steam could just be the fact it's pretty cold at the moment. Darren I turned the engine off the moment I saw the coolant creeping along the overflow pipe, and was pretty sure it would have resulted in overflowing altogether. I did think about the exhaust 'emissions' being more apparent due to the outside temperature too...That was the point I realised I don't even know what I'm looking at! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pjc615ukuk Posted January 21, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2018 Rob, Mike C & Graham. I've noted your comments and really appreciate your input. Whilst buying a rad cap I also bought a new thermostat & gasket, so will possibly investigate that further. Thanks everyone! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mike C Posted January 21, 2018 Report Share Posted January 21, 2018 (edited) The temperature gauge on most old engines goes backwards when the thermostat opens and lets cold water from the radiator into the engine. If you replace the thermostat check the temperature stamped on the old one to make sure it matches what your local ambient conditions require and also see if it has a clear small vent hole-it may be your problem. I'd still try running the engine without a thermostat to see if the problem goes away. Some people use a new gasket every time they break the thermostat housing joint, I generally get away with using the old gasket and Permatex Aviation Gasket Sealant #3. When you replace the thermostat don't forget to bleed the air from the system by running the engine with the heater on full and the radiator cap off until it warms up. Add coolant if any large air bubbles are vented out and the coolant level subsequently drops. Edited January 21, 2018 by Mike C Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pjc615ukuk Posted January 21, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2018 The temperature gauge on most old engines goes backwards when the thermostat opens and lets cold water from the radiator into the engine. If you replace the thermostat check the temperature stamped on the old one to make sure it matches what your local ambient conditions require and also see if it has a clear small vent hole-it may be your problem. I'd still try running the engine without a thermostat to see if the problem goes away. Some people use a new gasket every time they break the thermostat housing joint, I generally get away with using the old gasket and Permatex Aviation Gasket Sealant #3. When you replace the thermostat don't forget to bleed the air from the system by running the engine with the heater on full and the radiator cap off until it warms up. Add coolant if any large air bubbles are vented out and the coolant level subsequently drops. I'll give it a go. Thanks! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DRD Posted January 21, 2018 Report Share Posted January 21, 2018 You can get a test kit which indicates if you have a blown head gasket. You draw off a sample of coolant and if it turns yellow it indicates the exhaust gases are in the coolant. It might be worth trying this first. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
peejay4A Posted January 21, 2018 Report Share Posted January 21, 2018 (edited) I turned the engine off the moment I saw the coolant creeping along the overflow pipe, and was pretty sure it would have resulted in overflowing altogether. I did think about the exhaust 'emissions' being more apparent due to the outside temperature too...That was the point I realised I don't even know what I'm looking at! It is supposed to expand into the overflow bottle as the engine warms up. Then on cool down it is drawn back into the radiator providing you have the correct two way radiator cap fitted. If you do not then it is a one way trip for the coolant. Apologies if Im stating the obvious. Edited January 21, 2018 by peejay4A Quote Link to post Share on other sites
scousegit Posted January 22, 2018 Report Share Posted January 22, 2018 Would you like me to come out and have a look at it with you? If so PM me your contact details. Jon. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pjc615ukuk Posted January 22, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2018 Would you like me to come out and have a look at it with you? If so PM me your contact details. Hi John. I've sent you a pm Jon. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
scousegit Posted January 22, 2018 Report Share Posted January 22, 2018 Replied to your PM. Jon. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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