Coolant problem

[ssbrown19]

Hi,

I have a 1988 'E' plate auto sleeper high top 1.9 petrol water cooled engine

I have had the van a couple of months and bought it from Yorkshire to Somerset with no issues, been on a couple of runs out and everything seemed fine, HOWEVER! Last week we were queuing to get into the Glastonbury festival and steam started pouring out of the back of the van.

Luckily I was carrying water, so topped the expansion tank up and limped along to the campsite by coasting (engine off)

upon further inspection the temperature sensor had 'blown' out of the expansion tank, tried screwing the temperature sensor back in but after driving for a mile or so it would blow again, called the recovery people and got it towed home.

Have bought and fitted and new expansion tank from JK, as well as a temperature sensor and 1.5litres of their anti corrosion anti freeze.

Replaced the parts tonight, put the anti freeze in and added water to the overflow tank (behind the number plate). Ran the van on the drive to see if all is well, sadly as the engine warms and the pressure builds there is a slow leak from the middle pipe, there is also a slow leak from the top of the temperature sensor as well which is a concern. Should I now attempt to bleed the system? I haven't checked if the radiator is warm on the front either. Any advice would be gratefully received.
Simon

[Fritz]

Looks like you'll be needing a new header tank cap, as the little foo foo valve gets stuck/stops working and causes lots of pressurising problems similar to what you are experiencing.......

Get one from www.brickworks.co.uk



[img:200:200]http://www.aumb39.dsl.pipex.com/brickwe ... /cap01.jpg[/img]

Regards

Fritz,,,,,

[Hacksawbob]

I am chasing down the weakest part of my system at the mo, my camper has just blown the right hand side pipe after I spent a shedload on the front to back pipes from vw.liquid willl find the easiest path which is down my neck at the mo!

[Hacksawbob]

added water to the overflow tank

you need to top up the system by removing the cap from the header tank (not flap) and filling whilst the engine is warm you cant do it vis the top up tank

[ssbrown19]

Thank you both for the replies, I was hoping to rule out the cap as I got a new one of those as well!

Sorry if I wasn't clear about the expansion tank (behind the number plate) it has been dry since I have had the van and I only topped it up yesterday, the header tank has always had water in it and that's where I put the antifreeze

My next plan of attack will be a jubilee clip on the middle pipe and see if I can tighten the temperature sensor a little more (only tightened by hand, but I don't consider myself 'weak of wrist!!'

Will have a retighten and check the heat in the radiator and let you know

Thanks again for the advice guys, good luck with yours Bob

Simon

[T3teedub]

You'll need a lot more than 1.5 litres of anti-corrosive in the system. More like 7 litres unless you know exactly what was already in the system.

[ssbrown19]

Thanks for that, I had read that on the forums after I had bought the anti corrosion fluid, as I can't be certain how much coolant I have lost I am going to raise the front and bleed the system then maybe use a hydro meter to check the mix

[kevtherev]

Get one from www.brickworks.co.uk

I'll get me hod

[ssbrown19]

Wanted to tag this on the end of the thread as it's a continuing saga, apologies to the moderators if this should be in a separate thread

Got the Van back from the garage, they changed the thermostat on the engine, changed the rad fan switch and traced a faulty wire to the back of the fuse box, informed me that they had run the van round and although the temp gauge on the dashboard reads just above minimum its now working fine (rad fan cutting in, not leaking coolant etc)

Took the van for a little run, took things really steady and barely went over 50 mph, after about 30 miles I checked the engine and saw that the coolant in the reservoir was boiling like a kettle, but no leaks, called the garage to ask if this was 'normal' (no internet access so couldn't ask you guys!) was told it was so after leaving the Van to cool, went on about 10 more miles and camped overnight

Set off this morning and after about 5 miles we were in slow moving traffic and got the 'buzzer' on the dashboard and the oil light came on, I had been checking the oil and there was / is plenty in there, checked the manual and decided it would be best to get it towed back (again )

Whilst waiting I got under the back and can see oil seeping very slowly (but clearly seeping) around the left hand head gasket

I am not made of money and am happy to try a bit of mechanics (up to service level) but would you guys have any idea what I am now looking at?? (I appreciate this is a bit of a vague question) but I have just spent £170 on the coolant problems (not including the parts I replaced)

Understandably a bit peed off at the moment and may be more receptive after a shower and a few cold ones!

As always any constructive comments would be most welcome!

Thanks

Simon

[Hacksawbob]

Sounds like you are bleeding Simon rather bleeding system! With coolant boiling cant be a good thing, possibly a blockage in your coolant system somewhere? maybe someone has used radweld to fix a leak, this has a habit of clogging up these coolant systems. other possibility maybe cracked head allowing exhaust gasses to enter cooling system? usually this leads to steam exiting exhaust though. rad should be hot to the top remove the top front vent to feel it. Also may be that coolant system has not been bled thoroughly

see this
https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Co ... ing_system

[ssbrown19]

As always Bob, thanks for the information, Its off to the garage again tomorrow for them to have a look

Been through varying emotions about if i have bought a duffer etc, but then i have a think about it for half an hour and say 'nah' its an adventure

Glass is half full (will the bank account be half empty?? )

Will keep people posted for information

Cheers

Simon