Radiator overheating

[ronnie]

Hi. I've just added a radiator repair fluid called K-Seal I had a small leak in the core . I'm not sure if this is a problem but after running to temperature the top of the Rad is hot , the engine is hot but the water in the bottom hose and bottom of rad is only slightly warm if at all. I've turned it of as I have no temp gauge . Any suggestions ??? I was thinking air lock ?
Ronnie

[minor65]

If the radiator is warm at the top and slightly warm at the bottom, then the radiator is doing it's job and is working correctly.

[ronnie]

Thanks. Wasnt sure whither the sealer had clogged the rad or maybe the thermostat was goosed , thing is with no gauge at what point do you know it's overheating

[amgrave]

You know when it's overheating when you see steam from under the bonnet. No need to panic though as it's a cast iron engine so no problems with warped head etc. Just don't let it happen too often and shut it off as soon as you see it.

[bmcecosse]

Sounds perfect to me - as above - when you see steam (really - it's water vapour...steam is invisible.....) and/or the heater stops working - it's time to investigate....urgently

[ronnie]

I've ran it again in the driveway at about 1200 rpm for the last 25 mins. The bottom hose is slightly warm now but the heater is blowing cold air. I undone the hose from the valve at the back of the head and some hot water came through then undone the hose above the spark plugs ( outlet ) and could not get hot water to come through.
Ronnie

[mike.perry]

If the rad is boiling you will smell it and you will need to use your wipers! You can connect a garden hose to one of the heater hoses and run some water through it to clear any blockages in the heater and pipes. Did you check that the heater tap was open?

[GBond]

I would suggest a cheap laser thermometer as a good investment; you can check exactly how hot the radiator and head are at any given place, I've also used it to help with tuning a 2 cylinder boxer engine to make sure both sides ran at the same temperature, and it can also be used to play with your cat or dog.

[bmcecosse]

Is the heater valve open ?? Also look inside - are the hoses kinked where they turn in to the heater?

[ronnie]

The cars been laid up for nearly a year so perhaps the heater motor is clogged up. I'll try the garden hose. Can a temperature gauge be easily fitted ,, 1968 1098

[bmcecosse]

It's not difficult - but it's really not necessary........

[simmitc]

Temp gauge easy to fit. I recommend electrical rather than capillary as it's less easy to damage. There is a hexagonal plug on the right hand side of the head, just below the thermostat. Unscrew that and screw in the sender unit that comes with the gauge. Check the polarity of the gauge - probably easiest to convert your car to -ve earth if not already done, and then wire according to instructions supplied with the gauge. The most difficult thing is working out where to place the gauge. You could just lay it in the glove box where you can see it.

When flushing the heater, disconnect both hoses under the bonnet and flush in both directions. Don't get water on the ignition, or you'll be back asking why the car won't start Flush until water runs clear in both directions.

[ronnie]

Thanks guys

[ronnie]

[frame][/frame]

[ronnie]

Can anyone tell me the correct colour , I was told Trafalgar blue but when I ordered some touch up it was much darker

[biomed32uk]

Not sure on your exact paint colour, however the tube of Almond green I ordered was a slightly different shade to that on my car. They get resprayed over the years and are not quite to the exact factory shade, bound to happen.

I went down my local car paint supplier, took the glove box lid with me, they scanned that and made me up half a litre of cellulose. The match is perfect and it cost me something like £18.

[SteveClem]

Yes,had the same thing trying standard rattle can colour on my smoke grey saloon. The 'scanned '
paint colour was spot on,but a bit dearer.3 years later had a full resto and re spray and the colour was slightly different again.