1.6 VX classic Overheating - Advice please.

[oldbutnotslow]

YBNs car is suffering with over heating problems.

 

The temp went into the red today.

 

On runs of about 30 miles the rad cap spits coolant out as if its being pressured. We have established that the rad cap is different to my K series so we have gone back to the original cap. There is no heater in the system.

 

Its not massive amounts but enough to put marks on the hoses etc. It seems to only be coming from the rad cap. We have tonight taken the thermostat out and have put some speed flush in the system and will back flush the rad and the whole system tomorrow after he has driven the required number of miles.

 

We will also fit a new rad cap as a matter of course along with a new T stat.

 

There was mention of a sub pipe with 3 take offs as being a potential cure for over pressuring. Does anyone have nay experience of these? where to the pipes connect to on the 3 outlet one?

 

The next step is to get the rad fluid hydrocarbon tested to make sure that the head gasket is OK.

 

Any previous experience / advice would be very welcome!!

 

 

 

Grant Taylor - OBNS Motorsport

😬 183 BHP of Black and 'Stone Chip'. YBNS VX Classic. 😬

 

[j passfield]

If you happen to be close to Chelmsford I have got a block tester and fluid that you are welcome to use. An alternative is to use the Exhaust Gas Analyser at your local friendly MOT station, just put the probe in the header tank ( not the water ) and watch the reading, it should detect if hydrocarbons are present. I had a bit of trouble with my Vx 1.8 getting too warm, the rad had a small leak but was also partially blocked. I fitted a new rad. and also replaced the expansion bottle cap (£3.00) no overheating probs. at all now.

[oldbutnotslow]

Thanks for the offer. I will see how we go.

Speed flush has been put through the system and the rad taken off and back flushed along with the block.

 

I have to say that the fluid was quite clean and nothing to speak of came out. However having put the stat in a jug of boiling water it did not move so that may well have been a major cause. Also the expansion / header tank cap was the wrong one. It would seem that it was from a mini metro. We now have the correct cap so we will see how we go.

 

We are in the throws of fitting a heater so it will be later this weekend before we see if indeed this was the cause.

 

Grant Taylor - OBNS Motorsport

😬 183 BHP of Black and 'Stone Chip'. YBNS VX Classic. 😬