Topic: Advice please Birtys. (Read 2806 times)

YT · « **on:** August 22, 2012, 03:23:36 PM »

This is a question I really don't want to ask, but here goes.
96 4L cherry limited, when it gets up to temp then stopped, the bugger is emptying the contents of the expansion bottle. Any main cause ?

Tank · « **Reply #1 on:** August 22, 2012, 03:39:33 PM »

Could be a blockage,could be the head,but im inclined to think the latter with the engine cooling system back pressurising like that

bgbazz · « **Reply #2 on:** August 22, 2012, 03:51:17 PM »

To clarify..is it emptying the bottle overboard or sucking it back into the cooling system?

YT · « **Reply #3 on:** August 22, 2012, 03:54:30 PM »

That's just why I didn't want to ask. Lol I just let it run for ten odd minutes outside the house when we got back home, was up at norm temp, needle didn't move over 100 on temp gauge. Don't seem to be over heating, just emptying the bottle. Rad has never needed topping up after this happens.

YT · « **Reply #4 on:** August 22, 2012, 03:55:30 PM »

Overboard.

bgbazz · « **Reply #5 on:** August 22, 2012, 04:16:09 PM »

Ok..don't dispair just yet. Does the bottle have a cap similar to the radiator one or is it one of those plastic lids?

YT · « **Reply #6 on:** August 22, 2012, 04:18:15 PM »

Just a flip of plastic lid.

bgbazz · « **Reply #7 on:** August 22, 2012, 04:29:20 PM »

Ok..got that. Next question..has it just started doing this or has it been ongoing?

scrw · « **Reply #8 on:** August 22, 2012, 04:45:52 PM »

check the condition of the rad cap, is the rubber good? Also are the electric fan & viscous fan working as they should?

bgbazz · « **Reply #9 on:** August 22, 2012, 05:09:59 PM »

That's where I was heading next..start with the simple stuff and work up..if it's not getting hot whilst driving, but throwing the coolant out at idle, it would suggest one of the fans not working [either or both]. At normal driving speeds the fans don't contribute much to the cooling as the airflow through the radiator keeps everything in the proper range. A radiator chocked with dirt and dust or even grass seeds might still work ok at higher speeds but parked up with the engine running and an inefficient fan can cause problems. Simple stuff first!

YT · « **Reply #10 on:** August 22, 2012, 05:12:00 PM »

Ok, it's been at it for a few months, more so in the warm weather. The fan was cutting in fine last time I was off road, that was my reason for lettin it run today, but the temp wouldn't rise over 100 (from norm temp) even after running for 10 odd mins while parked up.

scrw · « **Reply #11 on:** August 22, 2012, 05:20:21 PM »

if its staying around 100 & blowing water out I'd check the rad cap, it sounds like its not keeping pressure

wildwood · « **Reply #12 on:** August 22, 2012, 05:24:25 PM »

Same thing happened to my GC and was dumping expansion tank ful about every 200 miles but never overheated... Was the rubber on the rad cap ....lighthouse £9 or so fOr new cap and jobs a good'un.

bgbazz · « **Reply #13 on:** August 22, 2012, 05:27:26 PM »

Ok..first thing to do yourself [free]..clean the radiator with air nozzle, spray it with lots of dishwashing liquid or similar [this is best done while the the motor and radiator are cold], leave it ten minutes or so, then blast it all out with the hose or pressure cleaner if you have one. You will know if that has worked because when you start it up and give the throttle a bit of a 'blip', water should go everywhere as it's sucked through the fins. That's all the easy, free stuff. I none of that works, I'd be down to a garage and have them do a radiator pressure test..that should tell you where else to look. ie..head gasket, cracked head, water pump etc etc

Here endeth the lesson.

MOCAJ · « **Reply #14 on:** August 22, 2012, 05:50:31 PM »

You say you have been off road so check the bottom of the rad is not blocked, specially on the engine side

then its rad cap and check your fan is cutting in

YT · « **Reply #15 on:** August 22, 2012, 06:41:23 PM »

Cheers for the info. Will get on to cleaning thru the rad. Think the cap could be sus, it felt a bit stiff and seemed to lack 'spring' comin on and off. Will keep ya updated.
Birtys rescue & nerve calming folk thru and thru.

bgbazz · « **Reply #16 on:** August 22, 2012, 08:27:33 PM »

Probably will be the cap, but all the other stuff won't hurt or cost anyway.

Hope ya get it sorted.

Dave69 · « **Reply #17 on:** August 22, 2012, 10:44:03 PM »

the stupid question is the one not asked !!!!!

is the theromstat opening

YT · « **Reply #18 on:** August 23, 2012, 08:24:43 AM »

I know the heater would put ya outta the truck, so should be opening. But worth a check.

YT · « **Reply #19 on:** August 30, 2012, 01:21:25 PM »

Got the rad cap from light house, still feckin pissin itself. Had a good look today, turns out I've a dodgy top rad hose. Brown wet mark halfway along on the underside and staining down the side of the battery. Quick call to Magnum Automotive and part is sorted and will pick up tomorrow.

YT · « **Reply #20 on:** August 31, 2012, 01:51:28 PM »

Just back from Magnum Auto, have to say, very helpful freindly folk. Would recommend them for Jeep parts. New top Jose cost the princely sum of £18.42 inc the dreaded vat.

bgbazz · « **Reply #21 on:** August 31, 2012, 06:30:11 PM »

Result!

YT · « **Reply #22 on:** August 31, 2012, 11:47:27 PM »

And cured ! Old hose had a 3mm split. Even with that and Maidstone traffic a complete nightmare due to gas main work, no overheating. All fans done the job to keep things at a steady 100 on temp gauge.

gotta love basic yank tech.
Thanks again for the advice peebs, and the pit crew, (Dean) for swapping out hoses.

Roll on Sunday at The 4x4 Solutions.

Author Topic: Advice please Birtys. (Read 2806 times)

YT

Tank

YT

YT

YT

scrw

YT

scrw

YT

YT

YT

YT

YT