V8S Coolant leak
Discussion
Hi all! Took the TVR out for a drive the other day with all temperatures in the normal range. As I switched the engine off I heard a noise (akin to a splash of water being spilled on the floor) from the passenger side. On inspection there was a puddle of coolant just behind the passenger side front wheel. Probably only about 20-30ml. Could this have come from the expansion tank and if so why has it never done that before?
There were no signs of leaking or any dripping; purely just that one splash as I switched the engine off.
Has anyone experienced similar or able to shed any light on where that could come from? Did wonder if there could have been too much coolant in the system and it was a pressure relief, but never had this issue before after driving the car.
There were no signs of leaking or any dripping; purely just that one splash as I switched the engine off.
Has anyone experienced similar or able to shed any light on where that could come from? Did wonder if there could have been too much coolant in the system and it was a pressure relief, but never had this issue before after driving the car.
The overflow from the extension vents exactly where you describe, so that's not unusual.
If it does it after every run it does suggest issues elsewhere with the cooling. I had a leak at the filler cap not sealing and this can lead to overheating which results in blowing out from the tank.
(Prepares tin hat)
Of course its important that the pressure cap is on the 'swirl pot' which allows the fluid in the overflow tank to draw back under vacuum as the system cools..
If it does it after every run it does suggest issues elsewhere with the cooling. I had a leak at the filler cap not sealing and this can lead to overheating which results in blowing out from the tank.
(Prepares tin hat)
Of course its important that the pressure cap is on the 'swirl pot' which allows the fluid in the overflow tank to draw back under vacuum as the system cools..
Thank you very much for your responses.
Do you think it’s possible that the radiator pressure cap may need a new seal?
It’s never done this before, and then twice on the same day when switching the car off. No other coolant issues have been noticed. Temp stays in the normal range while driving and does rise slightly when stationary etc which according to the Steve Heath book is very normal on a V8S.
The expansion tank I have is just a standard plastic one rather than the shiny metal one mounted next to the Swirl pipe.
Do you think it’s possible that the radiator pressure cap may need a new seal?
It’s never done this before, and then twice on the same day when switching the car off. No other coolant issues have been noticed. Temp stays in the normal range while driving and does rise slightly when stationary etc which according to the Steve Heath book is very normal on a V8S.
The expansion tank I have is just a standard plastic one rather than the shiny metal one mounted next to the Swirl pipe.
Mine would regularly vent off some coolant in warm weather so I wouldn't worry about it if I were you. Just keep an eye on the coolant level in the expansion tank. The stainless tanks hold about 1ltr which is a lot more than the plastic thing. I fill my new expansion tank to half way and this allows the coolant in the system to expand quite a bit without venting off and although I still check the level regularly it seldom needs topping up.
Have you checked the hose clamps on the heater pipes in the area to the rear of the LH rocker cover recently? The ones on the 'H' shaped connection. I used to tweak mine once in a while after I noticed a small pool of coolant collecting at the back of the 'V'. Something else I haven't a problem with since fitting the larger expansion tank.
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