Page 1 of 1

Self inflicted coolant problem

Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 6:45 am
by graham33
Hey......

I thought I'd fit a thermometer in the coolant so I could monitor the temperature!
I saw at the top of the head tank what I thought was a little breather hole! So I tried putting in the thermometer sensor in there – It wouldn’t fit so I slightly enlarged it with an 8mm drill bit – popped the sensor in and drove home. :D

All was good on the way home the temp gauge didn’t move from it’s 11o’clock position and the electronic gauge told me it went up to 90 degrees C.
When I got home I noticed some coolant on the floor – So I thought DAM :shock: ! That obviously wasn’t a hole then…..and sealed it up with sealant.

But a few days later I was driving about and the temp gauge in the car went right up and past the 11 o’clock position – So I stopped and had a look at the coolant header tank – It was empty, so I took the cap off and then a massive whoosh of air :shock: – the coolant came straight to the top and then a ‘bubble releasing’ noise was heard – the temp gauge had dropped back down, but when driving it rose again so I repeated the cap off a few times and then it seemed to settle, But obviously this wasn’t right so I took it to the garage – one when they had just done a head gasket, and they ‘bleed’ it for me. Happy! :D =D>

Until I drove it and it was exactly the same. :cry:

My question after this long winded explanation is: Is that a small bleed hole at the top and should I un-seal it.

I think I will leave well enough alone in the future!

If nothing else works I think I will bleed it myself with the fact sheet off this forum.

Thanks [-o< [-o<

Re: Self inflicted coolant problem

Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 7:47 am
by Muzorewa
Oh dear. Another cooked engine #-o

Re: Self inflicted coolant problem

Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 8:11 am
by scanner
graham33 wrote: All was good on the way home the temp gauge didn’t move from it’s 11o’clock position
As has been said many, many times - IT NEVER DOES (unless you have fitted a Mason Alarm).

Until
But a few days later I was driving about and the temp gauge in the car went right up and past the 11 o’clock position – So I stopped and had a look at the coolant header tank – It was empty, so I took the cap off and then a massive whoosh of air :shock: – the coolant came straight to the top and then a ‘bubble releasing’ noise was heard
happens.

This
and the electronic gauge told me it went up to 90 degrees C.
was presumably telling you what was really happening.

As to the rest I have no idea - I just leave things alone.

Re: Self inflicted coolant problem

Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 3:35 pm
by francophile1947
There is no breather hole in the header tank that I am aware of :? If there was, it would not be possible for the system to pressurise.

Re: Self inflicted coolant problem

Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 5:19 pm
by westonwarrior
what you can try is a stainless steel screwin the hole you made big enough to cut a thread but not too big as to split the header

this is how the lca alarms are fitted and should give enough of a seal
then bleed it again making sure it gets hot enough to open the stat

Re: Self inflicted coolant problem

Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 9:45 pm
by Doone
It does sound as though there is air in the system.

There is a 'vent' in the top of the header tank that will vent if/when the cap lifts. This vent should have a rubber 'overflow' pipe attached to it.
It's not really a hole and there is no hole as standard.

Unless it was due to Haydn's modified 'low coolant alarm' (and has been removed), there should not be a hole in the header tank.

Re: Self inflicted coolant problem

Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 9:59 pm
by haydn callow
What you thought was a hole and you drilled larger is in fact not a hole at all...what you have done is drill a 8mm in your tank and of course it will no longer pressurize the system....You need a "new" 2nd hand tank then a proper bleed and hope thats o.k...
However I suspect you have cooked your cylinder head.
If you really want a temp gauge ...contact me.

First get Bongo fixed.