Morris Minor Owners Club

Hello there everyone, whilst driving the moggie earlier this week I ran into a small problem. My girlfriend noticed a hissing noise when i pulled up onto the drive, like a kettle boiling. On closer inspection what looked like steam and water was coming out of the engine (by the back of the cylinder head) and the radiator was half empty.

The engine bay was filled with water. However water now pours out of what looks like a metal union/joint with the cylinder head whenever the ignition is turned on.

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The video shows the problem and I haven\'t driven it since, however when turned on it sounds fine.

So does anyone know the exact problem, how to fix it and the cost?
I really appreciate any replies as it is my daily car and needs to get back on the road as soon as!

Thanks,
Rhys.

Looks like the gasket at the base of the heater valve or the heater valve itself that is leaking. They are about £20 from the usual suppliers and come with a gasket included....

If it's just needing a gasket - cornflake packets are handy! Undo the two nuts and pull th valve off - and inspect the gasket.

The other day I noticed a worrying hissing just after I parked up but turned out the rad cap was loose.

Having now looked at the little video - it looks like the valve has failed. Engine also sounds VERY tappetty!

The valve was my first thought!

Wouldn't get too worried about using the car for the moment, just make sure you have a couple of bottles of water in the boot and check the level each trip.

Its a pretty straightforward job to swap the valve, so get one on order!

Or eliminate the problem altogether and fit a little stub outlet instead - no more leaks. You should never shut the valve anyway!

I like the older tap-type valve, it's not that often you need to switch the heater on/off so sticking your head under the bonnet and turning the tap is no real bother.

Why should you never shut the valve?

eliminate the problem altogether and fit a little stub outlet instead

It is there for a reason. If it was not required, then why did A.I. design it to be there.

Best to keep the water circulating through the heater all the time.

The reason its there is to switch it off in the summer so that the occupants of the car don't get cooked. The heater matrix however is essentially a second radiator so keeping the tap permanently open aids the engine cooling.

The heater would have been included for the benefit of the passengers, not the car! I keep mine permanently open

And the constant flow keeps it clear and not silted up!