OVERHEAT when idle?!?!?!?!!

[ExMODtraveller]

Hi can someone tell me if it is common for a traveller to overheat after about 20mins idling? Thanks.

I have just fitted a new carb to it and have adjusted it. (This is a restoration project) thanks.

[bmcecosse]

No - it should idle 'for ever' without overheating even on the warmest summer day. It's grossly overcooled with that huge radiator. This of course assumes a 2 blade fan is fitted.

[ExMODtraveller]

Yes a fan is fitted and the rad is full but it overheats.

[bmcecosse]

Well - thermostat could be stuck shut....or the impeller in the pump could be badly eroded, or the radiator (and perhaps block) could be blocked up with rubbish and needing a good flushing. Or of course - there could be head gasket problems. But explore all other options first. Does it actually 'boil up' when left idling?

[ExMODtraveller]

Yes it does boil over after 20mins idling.

[ExMODtraveller]

So could this be solved by draining the oil and replacing the oil filter?

[martin418]

are you filling the rad to the top if so there is no expansion space for the coolant so it pushes the rad cap open , the level cold on my car sits about 2'' below the bottom of the filler neck

[ExMODtraveller]

No it is filled to the correct level. It will start and sit idle for 20mins, then will overheat with that orange light coming on. And steam will be everywhere lol.

[bmcecosse]

Hmm - well two problems here -first the boiling up, nothing to do with oil or filter. So much flushing required- indeed best to remove the rad and back-flush it, and inspect the pump and thermostat. The orange light indicates low oil pressure - not a good sign at all - but that could maybe be helped with an oil change 20W50 and a new filter. But it won't do anything for the overheating.

[kennatt]

theres a couple of things you can check easily ,take the rad cap off and start the car,and watch as it warms up,if the thermostat is working/opening, as it does you will see the water in the top of the rad start to flow as the water is now free to move through the engine.If no then suspect thermostat stuck shut.If you see movement get someone to rev the en gine,if the pump is o.k you will see the water level drop down as the pump draws water into the engine, if no, suspect vanes on pump corroded(Rare but possible). now before it gets hot SWITCH OFF and feel all over the surface of the rad it should be warm all over ,obviously hotter at the top,but if you feel a cold area anywhere in the center or near the top then suspect that area is clogged up you need to be quick with this because it will soon warm all over with heat transfer. If this looks ok get it hot again with the cap off (take it off before you start the car) now rev the engine and see if it pushes water out of the rad with bubbles and steam,if so suspect head gasket pressurizing the system.(Just a warning you probably know this,do all of this with the cap off from cold,dont take it off with the engine already hot)
good luck with it

[ExMODtraveller]

So I've been tinkering about with it today and it idled for an hour without overheating but the orange light is always on but goes off when accelerating. The oil level is topped up correctly.

[bmcecosse]

Well - as before it means low oil pressure. Some will say to try a new oil pressure switch - an oil pressure gauge would be best option. But do change the oil and filter to see if that helps. It does rather indicate a worn crankshaft. What made the difference with the idling/not boiling ?