6 replies to this topic

[Mr Thirty]

I have been told the hissing could be due to (other than possible head gasket) excess pressure in the cooling system.

Hopefully getting it compression tested in the near future.

Will removing top hose from radiator and running it prove if the water pump is working? I had it out yesterday and spins freely, no excessive play.

Which way does the water run? New thermostat in it, been tested too. 

 

No mayo/scum in radiator water. 

The radiator holds pressure but when running it just boils and blows steam out of the over-flow pipe.

I've ran water through the radiator top in kitchen sink whilst changing timing cover gasket (which didn't completely fix oil leak). Water seemed fairly clean.

What am i looking for when checking  defective radiator? other than holes. The grills on it seem pretty knackered, what else could be blocking the system? 

My temperature gauge is not wired up either. Does it link to the fuse box? or into the back of the dash. Any pics or advise appreciated.

 

But seeing the bubbles of water come out between the block and head worry me, it's the left side if stood in front of the car.

Please don't hesitate to comment, I really need all the help i can get with this. Chances are the hissing and overheating are related?   Would really like her running normal again.

 

1275 METRO- THANKYOU ALL!

 

 

[jefinabox]

Head gasket. Take the head off, get it skimmed a few thou and shove a new gasket on. Give the coolant system a good flush out, run water through it until it's clear and running well then replace with water + antifreeze. Get your temp sensor wired up! A lot cheaper than warping heads and putting new gaskets on. It goes into the back of the dash and i THINK is blue/green, although it'd be good if someone could confirm this.

[Carlos W]

The head gasket has gone, but the thing you need to establish is, is this the cause of the overheating, or the effect of it?

There are different schools of thought on bent radiator fins, but basically if the air cannot pass through the radiator it can't carry the heat away!

You should be able to establish if the pump is working if the pipes are all getting hot and the heater works well!

What's the plug colour like? Have you checked the timing?

[robminibcy]

Head gasket. Take the head off, get it skimmed a few thou and shove a new gasket on. Give the coolant system a good flush out, run water through it until it's clear and running well then replace with water + antifreeze. Get your temp sensor wired up! A lot cheaper than warping heads and putting new gaskets on. It goes into the back of the dash and i THINK is blue/green, although it'd be good if someone could confirm this.

You may well be able to get away with just a head gasket. Mini heads rarely warp due to being cast iron rather than aluminium as used in many other types of engine. Check it is flat though by putting a straight edge across it in several different places and make sure its touching along the whole length

[Mr Thirty]

Thankyou all, didn't expect so many replies, what would be an average price for a few thou skimmed

 

The head gasket has gone, but the thing you need to establish is, is this the cause of the overheating, or the effect of it?

There are different schools of thought on bent radiator fins, but basically if the air cannot pass through the radiator it can't carry the heat away!

You should be able to establish if the pump is working if the pipes are all getting hot and the heater works well!

What's the plug colour like? Have you checked the timing?

Went out to try start her half hour ago, plugs were wet, bit black she wouldn't go. Is this likely to be lack of pressure? I had the timing set a while back, i'm fairly young and fairly new to cars/mechanics, i don't know how to set the timing. I thought to get an accurate reading you need a strobe light set...and some practice. I was told not to touch the chain when changing timing case cover for obvious reasons so i stayed well away. Thankyou for the reply Carlos, greatly valued

[Mr Thirty]

Head gasket. Take the head off, get it skimmed a few thou and shove a new gasket on. Give the coolant system a good flush out, run water through it until it's clear and running well then replace with water + antifreeze. Get your temp sensor wired up! A lot cheaper than warping heads and putting new gaskets on. It goes into the back of the dash and i THINK is blue/green, although it'd be good if someone could confirm this.

Only reason i haven't wired it up is cause im unsure of how to take the dash apart. It's the three piece cluster that sits on drivers side. I've got a brother who is pretty apt so i'll ask him to give me a hand with the head gasket. I read somewhere on this forum that the stud's + gasket comes to £75... Is that true? seems fairly expensive for not much and that the studs are one use only. Cheers 

[robminibcy]

You can re use studs provided theres no obvoius damage to them.

http://minispares.co...ch/classic/head gasket.aspx|Back to search

head gasket £20. You can get cheaper ones but I wouldn't advise it.