7 replies to this topic

[bunch1980]

Sprite 1275cc:
1993:
See attached picture not all that clear, i got mini last sunday and since then not been run, i noticed yesterday what appears to be water on top of block and around thermostat. There is 2 gasketsi think one above and below sandwich plate will i be best just replacing them? if so cork or paper.
Will it be hard to get off as bolts look a bit old and white furry it cant be leaking much as no puddle and rad is full and not sure if my car has a header tank for coolant?
I also noticed the top hose is very hard and like crunchy as are many of the hoses would it be a good idea to replace to hose to and maybe rest one at some point? im concerned if i take off thermostat to replace gaskets the hose might crack.
Guess for 17 years old this normal really.
Also might reaplce rocker gasket as it looks to be seeping a tiny bit are they all same gaskets?):

Attached Files

•  Leak_maybe.jpg   151.45K   26 downloads

Edited by bunch1980, 26 March 2010 - 08:31 AM.

[mattw13]

To be honest it is one of the first things to try and it is definetly one of the cheaper things to do. I doubt that you will have a coolant header tank, is it a carb model? You will have to drain some coolant out of the system to take the thermostat housing off so why not take the opportunity to change the coolant and check the hoses. The way to do this is to remove the bottom hose from the radiator(unless you are really lucky and have a radiator with a drain plug at the bottom), having placed a suitable container underneath, but be aware that this can be a pig to get back on and fit the clip. Its worth doing it for peace of mind.
While you have the thermostat off check that it is still functioning properly by placing it in a mug of boiling water. It should open with the temp below boiling (depending on which thermostat you have installed, it will have the temp printed on it). Again these are cheap to replace and make a real difference to the operating temp of the engine.
Good luck with it all.

Matt

[mattw13]

Sorry forgot to add.
The thermostat gasket will be paper and the rocker cover gasket should be cork. It will be worth trying to clean the exposed thread up on housing bolts to enable them to be removed easier. You could try using a penetrating oil to help but take it gently and hopefully you will be ok. If they are really stuck you could try some heat- as you are going to replace the gaskets anyway- just remove the hose first to ensure that you dont damage it.

Matt

[bunch1980]

To be honest it is one of the first things to try and it is definetly one of the cheaper things to do. I doubt that you will have a coolant header tank, is it a carb model? You will have to drain some coolant out of the system to take the thermostat housing off so why not take the opportunity to change the coolant and check the hoses. The way to do this is to remove the bottom hose from the radiator(unless you are really lucky and have a radiator with a drain plug at the bottom), having placed a suitable container underneath, but be aware that this can be a pig to get back on and fit the clip. Its worth doing it for peace of mind.
While you have the thermostat off check that it is still functioning properly by placing it in a mug of boiling water. It should open with the temp below boiling (depending on which thermostat you have installed, it will have the temp printed on it). Again these are cheap to replace and make a real difference to the operating temp of the engine.
Good luck with it all.

Matt

Thanks Matt, It is carbed and cant see one any where lol. I will check rad and get some coolant certainly be worth doing I expect as not been done in
ages i imagine. Maybe be even splash out on some silicone hoses before I do it!
Its not leaking to much so not to worried about it, and i think if i was driving it daily it boils away so wouldnt of noticed it!
If i take off termostat with out draining systme will i loose much coolant?

You mean clean up bolts once i removed them? I will get the needed gaskets.

[liirge]

My last thermostat housing gasket was of a cork nature,

[bunch1980]

My last thermostat housing gasket was of a cork nature,

Thanks mine look to be paper so will get them if i can or cork which ever is easiest!

[mattw13]

It is a bit difficult to see in your picture but is your thermostat housing held down by bolts or nuts attached to a length of thread going into the head?- if the latter, I was suggesting that you try and clean up the thread that is visible prior to undoing them. Hope that makes sense. I have also considered silicon hoses, they look soo much better but at that cost I think I am just going to keep replacing mine with standard parts!! Good luck

Matt

[bunch1980]

It is a bit difficult to see in your picture but is your thermostat housing held down by bolts or nuts attached to a length of thread going into the head?- if the latter, I was suggesting that you try and clean up the thread that is visible prior to undoing them. Hope that makes sense. I have also considered silicon hoses, they look soo much better but at that cost I think I am just going to keep replacing mine with standard parts!! Good luck

Matt

I get ya, im pretty sure its bolted down with like bolts just worried about rounding them off think i will wait until i got an imperial socket set!

Loooking on someorford spares some of the stock hoses aint cheap so in long run might pay to go silicone!