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Car Smoking When Hot And Low Coolant Level


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#1 rae07

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Posted 01 December 2020 - 11:28 PM

Dear all, my car broke down with blown head gasket shortly after I picked it up. With the car fixed, now I have two issues. 1) abnormal coolant consumption of 2l in abt 3 weeks (car used almost daily). 2) the car smokes badly after warmed up. No smoke when cold. The compression is ok. Engine oil don't seem to be murky or bubbly. The head gasket was changed and head cylinder was shimmed.

With both symptoms, can I conclude that there is a crack on the engine case resulting in coolant loss? ie. block/cylinder head expansion widen the crack and coolant flow through. If so, is there a way to check to isolate if the leak is at the cylinder head or main block? Or it could be another location?


Edited by rae07, 02 December 2020 - 04:42 AM.


#2 3VILC

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Posted 02 December 2020 - 05:27 AM

I would certainly guess that the 'smoke' when hot is actually steam from burning coolant which suggests probably more likely cracked head but could be a cracked block, I dont think these engines have much of a habit of cracking blocks though unless the bores are considerably oversized (1380+).  probably not the news you wanted to hear :)



#3 rae07

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Posted 02 December 2020 - 05:40 AM

Thanks for reply 3VILC. Indeed, it is bad news. Is there any way to isolate to head cylinder or block without any intrusive testing IE. Dye test?

Edited by rae07, 02 December 2020 - 05:42 AM.


#4 Cooperman

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Posted 02 December 2020 - 09:29 AM

In almost 60 years of messing about with Minis, I have never seen a cracked block. I have seen plenty of cracked heads though.



#5 kit352

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Posted 02 December 2020 - 12:14 PM

Have you pulled all the plugs? You may find some that have been steam cleaned indicating a blown headgasket

#6 dyshipfakta

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Posted 02 December 2020 - 12:30 PM

Does it run ok? You sure it not just a hole in a hose or a knackered jubilee clip?

#7 MiniMadRacer

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Posted 02 December 2020 - 12:43 PM

I always try to rule out the cheapest options first. What head gasket did you use,and although you cleaned the block and skimmed the head, what bolts and nuts are you using and did you torque them down all correctly and in the right order.. might be worth re torguing the head and see if that helps. Did you run it with Anti Freeze straight away or just fresh water to start with ?

 

Also do you know why the head gasket failed, touch wood I have rarely had a head gasket failure even on my racer.



#8 MrBounce

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Posted 02 December 2020 - 04:51 PM

Check your core plugs too  :thumbsup:



#9 rae07

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Posted 03 December 2020 - 01:16 AM

I had a blown head gasket and overheat issue. Found the cylinder head warped and had to shim it down. Car had prob at cold start, other than that, it runs fine. Coolant temp runs higher when on longer journey. Plug looks ok.




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