Advice please

IAN.D · Unread post by **IAN.D** » 18 Mar 2005, 00:14

Would like a little help and advice.
I changed my rocker cover gasket at the weekend as oil leek was getting worse and noticed as I was finnishing off and clearing up that my radiator was dripping coolant.
Anyway thought would be ok as was not that much so started car to see if all was ok, dripping got worse and by the time the car was up to temp and thermostat open coolant was coming out quite fast all along the bottom of radiator!
Topped level up and went for short drive to make sure oil leak had stopped, got back parked car up for the night.
Next morning coolant level had dropped quite low so filled up warmed car up.
Removed cap from radiator (no presure build up) and looked in tank to find few little bubbles! reved car while looking in tank and there is alot more bubbles and a kind of one big bubble like glug as revs drop.
Took car for short drive. Get back see if any presure build up and non but still bubbles when reved (stopped bubbling for a minute then they came back)
Question is do you think this could be the dreaded head gasket or some thing else? I thought seems funny no preasure build up but thought this may be because it is escaping in radiator leek. Or could it be some thing as simple as air trapped causing bubbles?
Sory for long post thanks Ian.

oilyspanner · Unread post by **oilyspanner** » 18 Mar 2005, 00:42

Hopefully the bubbles are just circulating, sounds like you need a radiator before you get to experience the dreaded HG thing fully[:)]
Stewart

Dave Bamber · Unread post by **Dave Bamber** » 18 Mar 2005, 01:29

I think the bubbles are from the water being low and the air is being purged when you re-fill. I'd replace the radiator and see what happends.

PowerLee · Unread post by **PowerLee** » 18 Mar 2005, 02:29

I have the same 2 litre 8 valve engine in my 405 & im not the most gently driver in the world.
This XU10J2 lump is pretty bullet-proof, Even more so if its the june 1995 onwards one with the modified head & ECU. Its a cast iron head & block, I wouldn't worry as long as its serviced correctly & the timing belts changed on time.
Stick a new radiator on, Fill the coolant up correctly & it should be fine.

IAN.D · Unread post by **IAN.D** » 18 Mar 2005, 05:50

Thanks for the replies.
I was wanting to know if it may be the head gasket before I bought a new radiator as don't want to fit that and find head gasket is shot!
I am rather paranoid about gasket as there has been a trickle of oil coming down from both the right and left hand side of engine for last two years or so around the head area. Also all the talk of the diesels blowing gaskets.
I have been in wondering what to do as there is a smell of anti freeze when heating is on that has been there for past two years also, so scared that matrix will go when change coolant! (carpet is dry)
Car is in as new condition bodywork and interior wise but need to spend a bit on the above + will be needing four tyres.
Engine will not be June 1995 on spec as was registered april 1995.
Thanks again Ian.

wilkobob · Unread post by **wilkobob** » 18 Mar 2005, 15:02

Id say change radiator first, dont make the same mistake I did, I had the engine replaced to find out it was the radiator all along.

dan.2cv · Unread post by **dan.2cv** » 18 Mar 2005, 15:40

Replace the radiator then deal with any more problems you may have. Do you mean to say if the HG was gone you wouldn't bother repairing it even though the car is in 'as new' condition?