Steamy drive home
Discussion
Driving in a bit of traffic, suddenly saw steam rising out of the various vents in the bonnet, so pulled over and parked the car in classic TVR pose, bonnet open and steam escaping, doubtless satisfying the TVR cliche for the rush hour traffic on their way home 
Once cooled down for a while I drove home, and when engine cooled, checked the coolant level to top it up. There was hardly any water left in there - not sure if it had just got very low causing it to overheat, or it all blew out when overheated.
Do you need to top up the cooling system fairly regularly? I haven't had the car that long, and had checked the water before.
Will now be checking it very regularly!
Once cooled down for a while I drove home, and when engine cooled, checked the coolant level to top it up. There was hardly any water left in there - not sure if it had just got very low causing it to overheat, or it all blew out when overheated.
Do you need to top up the cooling system fairly regularly? I haven't had the car that long, and had checked the water before.
Will now be checking it very regularly!
Firstly what was the temperature gauge reading? When you checked the water previously how full was the expansion chamber?
This could be failed fan fuse/relay (were they on?), failed header tank cap (pressure relief stuff goes on with it) or a busted hose maybe?
Just in case - the expansion chamber shouldn't be too full or the car will spit it out. Doesn't sound like what you're describing though ...
This could be failed fan fuse/relay (were they on?), failed header tank cap (pressure relief stuff goes on with it) or a busted hose maybe?
Just in case - the expansion chamber shouldn't be too full or the car will spit it out. Doesn't sound like what you're describing though ...
Targarama said:
Firstly what was the temperature gauge reading? When you checked the water previously how full was the expansion chamber?
This could be failed fan fuse/relay (were they on?), failed header tank cap (pressure relief stuff goes on with it) or a busted hose maybe?
Just in case - the expansion chamber shouldn't be too full or the car will spit it out. Doesn't sound like what you're describing though ...
I hadn't heard any warning for temperature, but when I checked it, was up to about 116. When i drove home, did hear the fans coming on. And when I previously topped up with water, topped it fairly full - but what else are you supposed to do, as you can't see down the neck of the expansion chamber?
Will prob go to Dream Machines on Sat, or sooner if nec, for a pressure test.
Talk to DM. I've had a similar problem with overheating and coolant loss and they pressure tested it and it was water tight.
It may be the expansion chamber isn't big enough and there is a known fix; they have supplied me with a kit and I'm having it installed at TVR Power this Thursday.
If you mention this post they'll know exactly who it is; DM have been very helpful, but it's just too far for me to go all the way back down there. Coventry is much nearer.
It may be the expansion chamber isn't big enough and there is a known fix; they have supplied me with a kit and I'm having it installed at TVR Power this Thursday.
If you mention this post they'll know exactly who it is; DM have been very helpful, but it's just too far for me to go all the way back down there. Coventry is much nearer.
TheArb said:
Talk to DM. I've had a similar problem with overheating and coolant loss and they pressure tested it and it was water tight.
It may be the expansion chamber isn't big enough and there is a known fix; they have supplied me with a kit and I'm having it installed at TVR Power this Thursday.
If you mention this post they'll know exactly who it is; DM have been very helpful, but it's just too far for me to go all the way back down there. Coventry is much nearer.
This is very interesting. I am concerned about mine overheating as even on a day with 11c in traffic it hits 96/97 even with after the fans kick in. HOW old is yours thearb?
>> Edited by maddog-uk on Tuesday 12th October 06:49
maddog-uk said:
Talk to DM. I've had a similar problem with overheating and coolant loss and they pressure tested it and it was water tight.
It may be the expansion chamber isn't big enough and there is a known fix; they have supplied me with a kit and I'm having it installed at TVR Power this Thursday.
If you mention this post they'll know exactly who it is; DM have been very helpful, but it's just too far for me to go all the way back down there. Coventry is much nearer.
This is very interesting. I am concerned about mine overheating as even on a day with 11c in traffic it hits 96/97 even with after the fans kick in. HOW old is yours thearb?
>> Edited by maddog-uk on Tuesday 12th October 06:49
Surely this is a healthy temp though. Every car I've ever owned has run at around 90-95 when warmed up.
I don't get this 'expansion chamber too small' thing. Why not put less water in it then? It is an overflow chamber to the radiator. As long as the radiator is full then the engine is doing it's cooling thing efficiently (I think). This chamber is only for excess coolant. A bit like filling your oil to the max level when the ideal level is probably somewhere just about the min level but they get you to put more in just in case the engine uses oil and then runs low (i.e. a bit more is better than too little).
June 03. My understanding is its the ratio of the capacity of the chamber to the capacity around the engine. Apparently its marginal and the kit provides extra capacity. At the moment water gets blown out and hence air comes back in on cooling creating a lock. Putting less water in doesn't solve the problem, you appear to get an airlock then. That's why the temperature wanders around as the air passes the sensor.
I was told its a known problem and I have received the kit. I will be able to report back after Thursday.
When everything is normal the car seems to run at about 79 deg.
I don't quite understand the comparison with the oil and water systems. Water boils at 100 if not pressurised and expands when heated up or falls below 0 when it forms ice. The oil pressure is around 55 psi (about?) when the engine is wound up, but the valve in the radiator cap blows at around 40 no? I don't think you can compare the two systems?
>> Edited by TheArb on Tuesday 12th October 09:07
I was told its a known problem and I have received the kit. I will be able to report back after Thursday.
When everything is normal the car seems to run at about 79 deg.
I don't quite understand the comparison with the oil and water systems. Water boils at 100 if not pressurised and expands when heated up or falls below 0 when it forms ice. The oil pressure is around 55 psi (about?) when the engine is wound up, but the valve in the radiator cap blows at around 40 no? I don't think you can compare the two systems?
>> Edited by TheArb on Tuesday 12th October 09:07
Had the same problem. Since january mine needed topping up a little every week and kept getting airlocks and running a bit hot. The dealer pressure tested the system in May but said it was ok and so just changed the temp sensor.
Still it kept using water (maybe 100-200ml per week) and finally (in August) I found the leak. It was a tiny pin hole on the rear of the o/s of the radiator.It would only leak when the engine was very hot and the hole expanded enough to let the water out. Then it just squirted onto the engine and turned into steam so no puddles on the floor. Eventually the hole got so big I found a puddle.
I took it back to the dealer who said both other cars he'd sold had the same problem and they'd changed the rads. Trouble was mine was now out of warranty and after arguing with the factory for months they promised me a cheque for the parts only (£200) while I had to pay the rest(£180)
After numerous calls and faxes... I'm STILL waiting for the cheque!!!
Best of luck.
Still it kept using water (maybe 100-200ml per week) and finally (in August) I found the leak. It was a tiny pin hole on the rear of the o/s of the radiator.It would only leak when the engine was very hot and the hole expanded enough to let the water out. Then it just squirted onto the engine and turned into steam so no puddles on the floor. Eventually the hole got so big I found a puddle.
I took it back to the dealer who said both other cars he'd sold had the same problem and they'd changed the rads. Trouble was mine was now out of warranty and after arguing with the factory for months they promised me a cheque for the parts only (£200) while I had to pay the rest(£180)
After numerous calls and faxes... I'm STILL waiting for the cheque!!!
Best of luck.
so far so good. Kit fitted at TVR Power this a.m. with their usual efficiency and everything appears back to normal. Runs about 79C on M1 in clear air and adround 83C behind traffic. Fan comes in around 93C and so far hasn't climbed above 98C whereas before it was 110+ on occasion with signs of water being blown out and sensor warnings.
The bigger expansion tank appears to solve the problem.
>> Edited by TheArb on Thursday 14th October 14:57
>> Edited by TheArb on Thursday 14th October 14:58
The bigger expansion tank appears to solve the problem.
>> Edited by TheArb on Thursday 14th October 14:57
>> Edited by TheArb on Thursday 14th October 14:58
Also just had this mod fitted after a couple of 'gushing' experiences this summer (though there were no problems summer 03).
It's done the job so far.
And after replacing several pressure caps and the chore of bleeding the sytstem several times I am very pleased to say it looks like I won't have to do it again!
TheArb said:
yes one week later no probs at all. Very pleased with DM and TVR Power - thanks to both. Strange thing is this is an 03 car and this has only recently developed.
Anyway at the moment, bootiful.
How much did it cost you? From personal experience I doubt the factory would cover it under warranty.
cost covered by DM as I bought the car from them in June and it hasn't been right since I picked it up. It's taken this long to confirm its the expansion tank and not a leak and co-ordinate getting the car in to a local dealer. Not an expensive job, bigger expansion tank and a couple of hours labour tops.
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