Paul M Posted November 29, 2020 Report Share Posted November 29, 2020 Hi, just got my TR3a delivered and looking great but got a water leak! not being very mechanically minded I am looking for a recommendation for a mechanic in the Rutland area who knows these cars? any suggestions? cheers Paul Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hamish Posted November 29, 2020 Report Share Posted November 29, 2020 Paul welcome to the forum. if you got the car from a dealer I suggest you get them to sort it out. Or if too far away they sort out a local repair for you. H others will be along with local repairers recommendations for you. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paul M Posted November 29, 2020 Author Report Share Posted November 29, 2020 Thanks Hamish I bought it privately and would like to get to know a local recommended place to get it serviced properly etc. cheers paul Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John Morrison Posted November 29, 2020 Report Share Posted November 29, 2020 Good morning Paul, welcome to our forum, and congratulations on buying a great car. I've taken the liberty to alter this thread title to better suit your needs, if there is a problem, I'll soon switch it back. John. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John McCormack Posted November 29, 2020 Report Share Posted November 29, 2020 1 hour ago, Paul M said: Hi, just got my TR3a delivered and looking great but got a water leak! not being very mechanically minded I am looking for a recommendation for a mechanic in the Rutland area who knows these cars? any suggestions? cheers Paul As these cars need pretty constant attention it might be a good opportunity to do some exploring. Fluid leaks are usually a pretty straightforward fix. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wayne Scott Posted November 29, 2020 Report Share Posted November 29, 2020 H Paul, Great to hear from a fellow Rutlander - I have my optional MOTs at Halls Garage, Morton, Bourne. They are an MG specialist but know all British sports cars well. https://www.hallsgarage.co.uk/ Also - no personal experience but we have RH Classics on our patch at Melton: https://www.rhclassics.co.uk/ Post-COVID - make sure you get along to Camb Followers local group meets, Tracy is doing a great job there and also Leicester Group who are also very vibrant and active: https://www.tr-register.co.uk/group/camb-followers https://www.tr-register.co.uk/group/leicestershire They will doubtless have many more local contacts to share with members. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ian Vincent Posted November 29, 2020 Report Share Posted November 29, 2020 The most common areas for a water leak in my experience (apart from the radiator) are at the hose connections, principally the supply hose from the bottom of the radiator up to the water pump. This is made up of two kinked rubber (or silicon) hoses and a length of steel tube. Getting the hoses to seal on the steel tube can be an issue, you need decent hose clips. I'm sure others will be along soon to suggest the water pump etc., but touch wood that hasn't been a problem. Rgds Ian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted November 29, 2020 Report Share Posted November 29, 2020 Hi Paul, TRGB are not that far from you at Somersham. They have a workshop but don;t know how far they go. https://www.trgb.co.uk/ Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
iain Posted November 29, 2020 Report Share Posted November 29, 2020 Welcome to the great world of sidescreen ownership. Have you found a puddle on the floor? If yes, where in relation to the hoses, rad etc. Are you sure you are not over filling the rad expansion tank and it’s just getting pushed out of the overflow. When you open the rad cap, you should just see water on the floor of the radiator extension...no more. Good luck Iain Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew Smith Posted November 29, 2020 Report Share Posted November 29, 2020 (edited) Simple things first, so don't chase the fault or pay someone to sort a simple fix for you - where's the water collecting under the car and trace it back to a source. If you've been out driving the car, then parked it up and then found a pool of water under the radiator (left side from the front) then it could be something as simple like too much water in the rad. There should only be about 1/2" of water in the radiator (expenasion) neck, anymore than this and it will overflow through overflow tube onto the ground. Welcome to the forum, you'll find lots of useful help from like minded enthusiasts on here - enjoy your 3A and consider joining the club if you haven't done so already. Cheers, Andrew Edit: it seems Iain and I were replying at the same time, although my fingers must be slower............. Edited November 29, 2020 by Andrew Smith Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paul M Posted December 1, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 1, 2020 thanks everyone for the welcome and the information. I have found the issue - drain tap on block appears to be the issue and have spoken to previous owner who said he tried to drain and refill before delivery but couldn't get the tap to open and I think he has damaged it in the process. I have a new one on order and then will see if I can do it or I will look into one of the recommendations to sort for me but hopefully this will not be a big issue Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobTR3 Posted December 1, 2020 Report Share Posted December 1, 2020 If you've bought from one of the usual TR suppliers, test it before you fit. I bought a replacement engine block tap some time ago and it leaked through its shut off valve, absolutely useless, I sent it back for a refund. Stand it on it's end with the tap closed and put a small drop of water at the end that screws into the engine, after a few minutes see if it's leaked past the valve. In the end I fitted a standard plumbing brass blanking plug with the thread wrapped in plumbers tape. Never leaked after that. Sorry, can't remember the thread size. Rob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ian Vincent Posted December 1, 2020 Report Share Posted December 1, 2020 Alternatively go to a ship's chandler and buy a marine one. Rgds Ian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paul M Posted December 2, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 2, 2020 thanks for the tips. will give it a test. I have ordered it from Moss so hopefully ok Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Forey Posted December 2, 2020 Report Share Posted December 2, 2020 Welcome to the forum Paul. I also bought a new block drain and it leaked despite my best efforts to get it to seal. I removed it, cleaned it and filled it with silicon from the block side and replaced it. Perfect, not a drop of a leak. Easy to drain the block; just remove the valve. Mick Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Motorsport Mickey Posted December 2, 2020 Report Share Posted December 2, 2020 If you actually want the valve to work (especially on a new one) strip the valve removing springs etc and "lap" the the valve body into the core with grinding paste. About 10 mins work will give you a matching mirror image fit, replace springs washers pins etc and try it...no leak. Of course unless you drain the block twice a year (that's what they used to do, drain the block add antifreeze in winter, drain the block remove antifreeze for summer, replace with water only) by using it it will gum up again, use it or lose it. Mick Richards Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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