Top of radiator not warming up..

[ryoc]

Always had trouble with my 1990 T25 Auto Caravelle overheating. Have fitted a Kenlowe fan which helps a lot. Do a lot of driving in London traffic at a crawling pace, and it still overheats. OK with the heater on as this disperses the heat. With the heater off it soon warms up, but the top of the rad is still cold. I bleed the rad regularly till hot water comes out the top, then it is hot from top to bottom. But next day still a cold rad top. No water leaks. The expansion tank boils almost daily. Could there still be a big airlock somewhere that is causing the problem? Thanks

[Titus A Duxass]

Is it a diesel? If yes then you could have head problems.

[toomanytoys]

If its a petrol you prob have a head gasket problem too..

Where in London are you? I am working in Acton and staying in Hanwell at the mo.. could meet for a looksee...

If air is getting in then that would indicate either a system leak thats letting air in when cooling down or the engine is pressurising it..

[ryoc]

Thanks for the replies. It is petrol 2.1 injection. I am in Old Isleworth, near Brentford (not far!) this morning if that's any good? The motor has done 103,000 miles and is very noisy, have been considering fitting a new engine.. Cheers

[Bosun20]

I had the same problem. 2.1 MV engine.
It first blew the head to block rubber seal out.
Stripped it down and it had a bad crack across the head,in between the valves on number 4.
After rebuilding the engine i couldn`t keep heat at the top of the rad.
Turned out to be a crack in a piston liner.(number 4)
Now with everything replaced,new heads,pistons and liners,water pump,etc. (It`s a long list),it runs spot on.

[ryoc]

So, maybe time to really consider a replacement engine.. 2.1 petrol injection with an auto box. I have looked at VEGE engines and they seem pretty good. Anyone recommend a better engine, and maybe somewhere in West London to do the fitting job? Thanks