fbekholden.com

Hi guys, I know we've had some warm weather of late, but the old FB has really got her knickers in a twist and decided to start running hot . Had the timing gear done a year ago and tuned up with oil change just 2 months ago. Engine and radiator are all stock. Now she is running a temp even on short runs when she never had a problem before. I suspect it may be a timing issue as the water pump was replaced three years ago when she was re-registered, and when I emptied the radiator today it really gushed out no probs. At the moment I'm trying to understand what is causing this before I take her over to Tony at Castle Hill

Could be a few things.

The simplest thing to rule out is the thermostat which might not be opening correctly. I'd pop it out and take the car for a run without it.

Forgot - another easy thing to rule out is the radiator cap. The spring might not have enough tension. Try replacing that also.

Thats' the simple stuff.

If you take the thermostat out it may run cooler until you get it out on the open road. If the water doesnt have time time cool in the radiator the engine will heat up.
Try the cap and a new thermostat. If that doesnt work get the radiator pulled apart and cleaned out properly. Just because the water flows through doesnt mean its flowing properly.
If that doesnt fix it you might have a blown head gasket.
Dave 0413766501

Could well be the thermostat or the radiator cap then. Will give it a go, thanks for the help guys. Seriously hope the gasket is good....should be right as there is no sign of any water in the oil or vice versa!!!!

Mine used to spew heaps of coolant from the overflow, plus run a bit hot.
I changed the cap (4lb), and it hasn't lost any coolant since.
Sometimes it's something simple.

You losing coolant ?

Yep, been dribbling all over Sydney for about two weeks and as soon as its lost enough that litte red light comes on....... Will try and get a new cap on Monday. Should I try Rare Spares or just Super Cheap?

bootlegger wrote:If that doesnt fix it you might have a blown head gasket.

Yeah...I didn't want to say that

Mind you, not really a difficult or expensive job to replace a head gasket on a grey. Cracked block or head would be pretty grim...

indiana wrote:Yep, been dribbling all over Sydney for about two weeks and as soon as its lost enough that litte red light comes on....... Will try and get a new cap on Monday. Should I try Rare Spares or just Super Cheap?

I actually got mine from here.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/RADIATOR-CAP ... 3a770059bf

I'm guessing most car parts shops would stock them

bootlegger wrote:If you take the thermostat out it may run cooler until you get it out on the open road. If the water doesnt have time time cool in the radiator the engine will heat up.
Try the cap and a new thermostat. If that doesnt work get the radiator pulled apart and cleaned out properly. Just because the water flows through doesnt mean its flowing properly.
If that doesnt fix it you might have a blown head gasket.
Dave 0413766501

I'm still amazed how many people "think" that removing a thermostat will make a car run cooler

As you've said Dave the water flow needs time to slow down and cool as it makes its way through the radiator.

Mick

Yeah taking the thermostat out is a big no no. If the car has a problem it has a problem. Fixing overheating can be a real drain. Ive had some cars that i cant fix. My corvette is one of them. A hot day in traffic just kills it. I wont even take it out some days

yep radiator in chev gushed water out and held a heap of water but replaced radiator and overheating problem solved ...... kind of fine out on the highway even today at 40 degrees and speeds up to 140kmh but mostly sitting on 100-110kmh sat on 180-190c but get some traffic and up it goes 200-210c but as soon as you get highway speed comes straight back down

1. don't let the water level get down top it up everyday NOT when the red light comes on that has nothing to do with water level it is telling you the car is to hot not the water level is low, but one does cause the other
2. it just could be the weather i had an EK (red motor) had no over heating issues till the temp outside would get up over about 35c then you just couldn't keep it cool, tried haveing radiator serviced new thermostat etc etc in the end only thing that solved it was a bigger radiator

choppedfan wrote:I'm still amazed how many people "think" that removing a thermostat will make a car run cooler

Mick

Only to test if it's the problem Mick. Nobody's suggesting that it's left out permanently. No amount of draining and flushing etc. will fix a broken thermostat or radiator cap.

Admittedly, there are better ways to test the thermostat, but just trying to keep it simple.

I'm with mick, I'd be topping it up BEFORE the red light comes on or you will end up with bigger problems....

Hey, has anyone tried that new 'waterless' coolant that doesn't boil (therefore no pressure in the cooling system)?

Sounds like it could be a good thing for our old buses.