barrytr4 Posted February 13, 2021 Report Share Posted February 13, 2021 Hi Chums I'm losing radiator water, ( 2 Lt in 500Ks ) checked for bubbles in the rad', they are coming fairly regular at the size of about 10 mm dia', I had the head checked and I checked the liner height ( I didn't clamp them down?) and what to do if one liner is low? Yesterday I pressure tested through the plug hole each cylinder about 100lb" to find out where the prob' was , not one bubble came up, any thoughts?--Barry Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John Morrison Posted February 13, 2021 Report Share Posted February 13, 2021 You would think head gasket, but you can buy a gas test kit to confirm before pulling things apart, take it there is no water in the oil? John. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Z320 Posted February 13, 2021 Report Share Posted February 13, 2021 (edited) You are loosing coolant but can't find it under the car.... When I bought my 4A the figure of 8 seal was leaking, not very much water was lost that way, but constantly. This was the reason why the previous owner removerd the PCV valve and guided the pavours and steamed antifreeze out by a simple hose. With the oil sump off the anti freeze was visible from below on the 4th cylinder and crankshaft. Edited February 13, 2021 by Z320 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted February 13, 2021 Report Share Posted February 13, 2021 Leaking FO8 would lead to water in the oil, 1st signs would be "salad cream" found in the rocker cover. Sounds more like head gasket leak to me. Bob. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hamish Posted February 13, 2021 Report Share Posted February 13, 2021 I am sure you can find a locally available test kit in WA COMBUSTION LEAK BLOCK TESTER KIT 50 ml TEST FLUID for PETROL LPG HEAD GASKET https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/254703646899 it will show if you have combustion gasses in those bubbles. Thus a head gasket. good luck Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted February 13, 2021 Report Share Posted February 13, 2021 (edited) Hi Barry, from the title I thought you have a Urinary infection and was going to recommend Penicillin. Who knows!! it may do the engine some good. Roger Edited February 13, 2021 by RogerH Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Z320 Posted February 13, 2021 Report Share Posted February 13, 2021 Different idea: your TR4 is without overflow bottle. Do you overfill the rad? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
barrytr4 Posted February 13, 2021 Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2021 Hi Chums --thanks for the tips, yes, I know the head has to come off? most of you are waiting for the weather to warm up, I'm waiting for it to cool down--Barry Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobH Posted February 13, 2021 Report Share Posted February 13, 2021 You say the head was checked - but did that include the blanking plug in the top surface which has been known to corrode and leak ? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted February 13, 2021 Report Share Posted February 13, 2021 That would cause loss of water into the oil, but not bubbling. The water jacket must be being pressurised with gasses. Bob. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
trchris Posted February 13, 2021 Report Share Posted February 13, 2021 Hi Agree with Bob looks like compression gases are entering the water jackets Chris Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Graham Harris Posted February 13, 2021 Report Share Posted February 13, 2021 Retorque the head that may solve your problem? Graham Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted February 13, 2021 Report Share Posted February 13, 2021 Definately worth a try. Bob. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Z320 Posted February 13, 2021 Report Share Posted February 13, 2021 How can you see bubbles? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
barrytr4 Posted February 13, 2021 Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2021 Hi Chums--I see bubbles in water in radiator cap filler hole, yes I changed the head water corrosion plug, Checked the head nuts they were tight, I was thinking I may drain the water slack off all the nuts and retighten, if no change take the head off--Barry Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted February 13, 2021 Report Share Posted February 13, 2021 Yep, that sounds like a good plan. Bob. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Z320 Posted February 13, 2021 Report Share Posted February 13, 2021 (edited) Sorry me, first to drain the oil sump and than take it off and look from underneath would give you an indication. Only with the head off you perhaps will eliminate all indications about the reason - and your repair could fail. Maybe the fault it is not obvious with the head off. My advice is to make a plan step by step to find the fault before you touch any tools. Edited February 14, 2021 by Z320 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
barrytr4 Posted February 14, 2021 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2021 Hi Chums--Thanks for all the replies ,,,,,,,,slacken all nuts and retightened, no change, going to try the pressure test in head again in to tell where the prob' is, close this case for now, will reopen when more news--Barry Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted February 14, 2021 Report Share Posted February 14, 2021 You may well find that the pressure test shows nothing, as the combustion pressures will be much higher than any airline can produce, Bob. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Z320 Posted February 14, 2021 Report Share Posted February 14, 2021 (edited) Btw: in the cooling system is coolant and air. The air has to be there to be compressed by the expanding coolant. And the air is no problem at all (I kow others tell different) because the water pump is a MONSTER, it mixes the air with the coolant and keeps the air in small bubbles in the flow. I never opened the rad cap on a hot engine, because this is dangerous! And so I ever checked what is there to see. But if you can / do (shure with the engine switched off?) I expect air raising up in bubbles because the air begins to divide from the coolant. So in my opinion (I could be wrong) bubbles raising up in the rad are no indication for anything. Ciao, Marco Edited February 14, 2021 by Z320 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Graham Harris Posted February 14, 2021 Report Share Posted February 14, 2021 I had a similar problem with my 3A took the head off and found the gasket was starting to go on all cylinders so decided to go for " Randalls trick" you can google it, it should come up and is self explanatory certainly worked for me 3 years on and hasn't used a drop of water and runes like a new one. Graham Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Motorsport Mickey Posted February 14, 2021 Report Share Posted February 14, 2021 Sorry Graham, tried but the replies on this hit as " Randalls trick" on Google have nothing to do with TRs or even head gaskets. Any chance you can lift the link and post it for us ? Mick Richards Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stillp Posted February 14, 2021 Report Share Posted February 14, 2021 43 minutes ago, Motorsport Mickey said: Sorry Graham, tried but the replies on this hit as " Randalls trick" on Google have nothing to do with TRs or even head gaskets. Any chance you can lift the link and post it for us ? Mick Richards It's a ring of copper wire soldered to the head gasket around each cylinder. Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hamish Posted February 14, 2021 Report Share Posted February 14, 2021 43 minutes ago, Motorsport Mickey said: Sorry Graham, tried but the replies on this hit as " Randalls trick" on Google have nothing to do with TRs or even head gaskets. Any chance you can lift the link and post it for us ? Mick Richards I found this link Mick. http://www.britishcarforum.com/bcf/showthread.php?106677-Composite-vs-cooper-head-gasket-with-Randall-s-quot-trick-quot not sure if it’s it. H Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Motorsport Mickey Posted February 14, 2021 Report Share Posted February 14, 2021 Ah... that trick...cough method. Yep it’s used with solid copper gaskets AND the standard copper/asbestos/copper standard head gasket. Bit of a guess because you can’t tell what the malleability is and how much the copper wire ( Dias are available between 12-18 thou) will scrunch down when torqued. Never bothered us in competition, the head was going to be lifted at the end of the season anyway. When you are in a hole whatever works is what needs doing. Mick Richards Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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