Time For A New Rad Cap Perhaps?
Discussion
I have a strong suspicion that my rad cap is toast. I took the car out recently and noticed that the air wasn't exactly hot, which made me suspicious, this being after having driven it for 5-6 miles quite spiritedly.
I put it back in the garage and having come back to it a week later I noticed 2 things. The first that there was a small puddle of coolant just under the expansion tank and secondly after opening the rad cap and shining my torch in the tank.....about a 1/4 full of coolant. I'm thinking massive amount of air in the system, coolant has clearly been bypassing the rad cap that hasn't been opening properly and being dumped into the expansion tank.
I have ordered a brand new cap from Rock Auto anyway as reading on here, it seems about every 2-3 years this is a consumable item. What's the consensus as quite honestly even though its not that easy to see, I can't see any leaks coming off the rad hoses or thermostat housing?
I put it back in the garage and having come back to it a week later I noticed 2 things. The first that there was a small puddle of coolant just under the expansion tank and secondly after opening the rad cap and shining my torch in the tank.....about a 1/4 full of coolant. I'm thinking massive amount of air in the system, coolant has clearly been bypassing the rad cap that hasn't been opening properly and being dumped into the expansion tank.
I have ordered a brand new cap from Rock Auto anyway as reading on here, it seems about every 2-3 years this is a consumable item. What's the consensus as quite honestly even though its not that easy to see, I can't see any leaks coming off the rad hoses or thermostat housing?
You've done the right thing, rad caps are a weak point, having said that I'm only on my second one at the moment.
If that doesn't fix it and you are on the original radiator, check the plastic end caps as they crack and leak over time.
The hoses are generally ok, but they can rub on the rear of the drivers side cylinder head. If you follow the two hoses towards the front of the car, there is a large bolt that sticks up from the chassis rail, this can rub through the lower hose.
Hopefully that should sort it.
If that doesn't fix it and you are on the original radiator, check the plastic end caps as they crack and leak over time.
The hoses are generally ok, but they can rub on the rear of the drivers side cylinder head. If you follow the two hoses towards the front of the car, there is a large bolt that sticks up from the chassis rail, this can rub through the lower hose.
Hopefully that should sort it.
Having spent a load of time with the car today...it's not the rad cap sadly. I'm starting to think it might be the water pump. Another job to do...one day I will get this driven a few miles 
Anyone got any idea how much a water pump would cost to be supplied and fitted for one of these approx. I'm guessing it's not a massive job as water pump looks relatively accessible to change?
Anyone got any idea how much a water pump would cost to be supplied and fitted for one of these approx. I'm guessing it's not a massive job as water pump looks relatively accessible to change?
There you go. As for fitting - from memory - I:
1. Remove battery.
2. Remove air intake and I think I removed the throttle body too, both for ease of access.
3. Remove belts.
4. Drain coolant, when removing rad pipe off thermostat side. Thermostat out.
5. Remove other rad pipe to front of pump.
6. Pump off. You may want to remove the belt tensioner while the pump is on the car.
7. Pump on. Take note of the following, gaskets on straight and not slipped off when putting the bolts through, correct torque for all bolts - you don't want snapped bolts ever! Some of the bolts are a ball ache and you need to use various length sockets to get on them all.
8. Tensioner on.
9. Thermostat on and connect hose.
10. I added coolant into the top hose as far as I remember then connected up.
11. Top up radiator until full.
12. Add belts.
13. Connect throttle body and air intake.
14. Ensure the coolant system is filled, complete the filling until the system is full and the expansion dipstick shows correctly.
Please someone critique this and advise accordingly - I'm trying to wrack my brain but I've slept, drunk and done other stupid stuff since then
Perhaps a stupid question...the rad only needed about a litre of water adding to it, to fully top it up before I started her today. Ran the car for about 20 mins before she dumped about 500ml of water via the expansion tank.
With that in mind...would any of you think water pump and also would you all suggest I get the car recovered to my garage of choice rather than try and drive it there. Walkinshaws is 40 mins away so I figure too much of a risk to drive there. I can't sadly do the work myself at mo as just no where to work on the car and my garage hardly fits the car in and has no power in it.
I'd appreciate your views guys.....
With that in mind...would any of you think water pump and also would you all suggest I get the car recovered to my garage of choice rather than try and drive it there. Walkinshaws is 40 mins away so I figure too much of a risk to drive there. I can't sadly do the work myself at mo as just no where to work on the car and my garage hardly fits the car in and has no power in it.
I'd appreciate your views guys.....
Gassing Station | HSV & Monaro | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff