Cooling System Issue

Cooling System Issue

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Discussion

bradders

Original Poster:

887 posts

278 months

Thursday 17th March 2011
quotequote all
Got the car back yesterday after it's first run out at Emerald post re-build on Tuesday.

The have put a running-in map onto it, and limited it to 5.5K revs for now - all great.

Unfortunately, they've identified an issue with the cooling system. Basically, the water hose at the top of the engine, joined onto the thermostat is higher than level in the expansion tank - meaning that under gravity, the pipe is not full of water. For the rolling road test, they raised the expansion tank to a higher position temporarily. I now need to find a solution for normal use. Can anyone suggest anything?

Photo's will follow of the installation, but in the meantime, the engine is a 2.3L Duratec, and the top hose and thermostat is very close to the bonnet, due to the height of the engine, and the expansion bottle is mounted near the heater unit on the bulkhead about as high as it can go.

Emerald say the issue may well be that the car was originally built with a K-series in mind, as these sit lower in the car - and not adapted for the use of a Duratec.


Hoping someone can help and all suggestions welcome.

Cheers, Bradders.

pikeyboy

2,349 posts

221 months

Thursday 17th March 2011
quotequote all
Can you save yourself a load of heart ache by working out if it'll actually be a problem?

Is it running hot? If not I might be tempted to leave it as is, get it run in, set up and give it a spanking while keeping an eye on the temp gauge....

bradders

Original Poster:

887 posts

278 months

Thursday 17th March 2011
quotequote all
Yeah, I could do - Emerald suggested however, that I should really get it sorted. Under heavy use, they say it will not be so much of a problem, as with all valves open, the pump will push coolant and air around aplenty to avoid issues.

Under idle, or road use however, then the hose at the top is not carrying coolant, so there is a serious issue, by all accounts.

To be honest, I am a tad worried that after having a complete re-build, I do not want to have to go through the pain (both time and money) again.

David Long

1,224 posts

186 months

Thursday 17th March 2011
quotequote all
This thread may help http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

I had a similar problem and in the end I fitted a self bleeding system from the top of the radiator which cured the problem.

mic

376 posts

240 months

Thursday 17th March 2011
quotequote all
I think you're worrying about nothing. The water pump on a Duratec engine will pump plenty of water round at idle. Have a look at a CSR system , the top hose runs along the top of the engine.

bradders

Original Poster:

887 posts

278 months

Thursday 17th March 2011
quotequote all
David Long said:
This thread may help http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

I had a similar problem and in the end I fitted a self bleeding system from the top of the radiator which cured the problem.
David, I don't suppose you would be able to PM me some comprehensive details?

Cheers Bradders.