Getting hot

[evotell]

1.4 K series. Occasionally the temp gauge climbs right up to the red, sits there for several minutes sometime 5, then drops back to 80 - 90 till it does it again, maybe same day may 3 days. ☹️

[Stationary M25 Traveller]

What has been done to the cooling system lately ?

 

Could be an airlock in the system.

 

Could be a failing sender unit ...... do you have a thermometer like one of the laser contactless ones so you can measure the temperature of each hose ?

 

I have found the k-series cooling system mod (as per article in LF Sept 2012) to be very effective. Simple and cheap to do. I have a pdf scan of the article if needed.

 

Ian

[paul richards]

For some unknown reason I have found the 1.4 to be even more likely to have an air lock than larger capacity K series engines. Also more difficult to get rid of the airlock in a 1.4. It takes perseverance.

[Bob L]

Does sound like an air lock and you don't want these on a K series. I've done the mod on mine (as already recommended)but prior to that I found the bleed 'T' made the whole process much easier. If nothing else, fit one of these if you have not done so already. Then do the mod asap - you won't regret it

[evotell]

Quoting SM25T: 

What has been done to the cooling system lately ?

 

Could be an airlock in the system.

 

Could be a failing sender unit ...... do you have a thermometer like one of the laser contactless ones so you can measure the temperature of each hose ?

 

I have found the k-series cooling system mod (as per article in LF Sept 2012) to be very effective. Simple and cheap to do. I have a pdf scan of the article if needed.

 

Ian

 

Nothing, the car has only just been completed, its done 160km. The pdf document would be helpful. terryjohns@live.ca

 

Thanks Ian

 

Edited by - evotell on 30 Apr 2014 14:16:33

[Stationary M25 Traveller]

Mail sent Terry

[evotell]

Ok. I raised the front of the car and loosened off one of the hoses, what became apparent very quickly is that all the hoses got hot including the heater hose that goes into the thermostat housing, but the bottom hose stayed cold as did the bottom of the radiator. I am cure the thermostat is not opening.

 

Any suggestions?

 

I have looked the mod document and it makes sense, but I'm not sure this is my present problem.

[David Brown]

A bleed T plus a small hole drilled in the thermostat rim should resolve any bleeding problems.

[Stationary M25 Traveller]

Remove the thermostat and put it in a pan of water. Heat the pan and note the opening temp.

 

Changed my 88C to an 82C

 

Also check it is fitted in the housing the right way round ..... with the 'works' facing forward into the engine, not facing the hose.

 

Edited by - SM25T on 30 Apr 2014 16:52:44

[evotell]

Quoting David Brown: 

A bleed T plus a small hole drilled in the thermostat rim should resolve any bleeding problems.

 

Drill a hole where in the housing?

[revilla]

!!! NOT IN THE HOUSING !!! It would leak everywhere!

 

Best picture I could find on the internet:

 

http://www.revilla.plus.com/Drilled%20Thermostat.jpg

 

... but preferably a bit smaller, 2mm or 3mm should do the trick, and make sure that it will be at the top when the thermostat is fitted (it only fits one way around). The hole lets air trapped in the thermostat housing bubble away rather than being stuck and insulating the thermostat, preventing it from opening. If you make it too big, it;s like the thermostat being always a bit open, so prolongs warm up time etc.

 

Edited to say: Sorry for the shouty bold bits, just wanted to make sure you didn't go off drilling holes where they shouldn't be 😬

 

Edited by - revilla on 30 Apr 2014 17:17:49

[Sim]

Quoting evotell: 

Ok. I raised the front of the car and loosened off one of the hoses, what became apparent very quickly is that all the hoses got hot including the heater hose that goes into the thermostat housing, but the bottom hose stayed cold as did the bottom of the radiator.

 

 

Isn't this the classic symptom of an airlock?

I've certainly had this and fixed it by re-bleeding - not had to replace the thermostat

 

Simon

[John Vine]

Quoting SM25T: 

Remove the thermostat and put it in a pan of water. Heat the pan and note the opening temp.

Just to add one thing -- the 82C (or 88C) is the fully open temperature. The stat will start to open several degrees lower than that.

 

JV

[Stationary M25 Traveller]

when you drill the hole in the flange .... take care to make sure it will be at the top when you fit the thermostat in the housing. It only goes in one way round, and the hole isn't much use if not at the top

[Stationary M25 Traveller]

Phil .... will be in touch when I get home late tonight

[halstock]

SM25T, any chance you could email the LF pdf to me too, please?

 

andy at halstock dot com

 

Many thanks,

 

Andy

[Englishmaninwales]

Quoting Paul Richards: 

For some unknown reason I have found the 1.4 to be even more likely to have an air lock than larger capacity K series engines. Also more difficult to get rid of the airlock in a 1.4. It takes perseverance.

 

The early type of 1400 is often difficult with persistent air locks due to its wet liner block construction with a closed top deck, with only tiny bleed holes in the casting. The open deck of the block of the later 1400/1600/1800 with 'damp' liners seems to be easier to fill and free of airlocks.

[7 wonders of the world]

Whilst the early 1400 did have a different arrangement all K are wet fully liners, even the Scholar blocks ones albeit with a different install process

[evotell]

Thanks to all who have contributed. Took it to a pal of mime who has a vacuum coolant filler. I think there was an air lock, but I also think the thermostat was also stuck, taped in several times, and its been fine all day.

 

Proves my theory if it doesn't work get the hammer out 😳

 

Edited by - evotell on 1 May 2014 13:46:57

[Stationary M25 Traveller]

Phil ... please mail me again, but include your e.mail address in the body of the message, as neither my phone or PC will 'reply' to a blatmail .... they don't see the address.

[Stationary M25 Traveller]

BTTT for Phil ..........

[Stationary M25 Traveller]

Andy .... mail sent