Another major breakthrough this morning, I think :-)
For almost 3 years I have suffered with overheating
problems and water loss, and each time I have fixed
something I have proclaimed it has been fixed only to be subsequently
proven wrong. But ever since I repaired the joint in the cooling system
pipes, uprated the radiator cap to 21psi, chucked a tin of radweld in
the radiator and re-fitted the thermostat, she has stopped leaking and
overheating.
Unfortunately she was now running much too cold, such that the
temperature gauge on the dash hardly registered. And as I have access
to a digital readout I could see that the ECU had her stabilising at
143F (62C), at least 30C below what she should be. First port of call in
that situation is the thermostat (some of us are old enough to remember
stage 2, which is a piece of cardboard across the grill:-) ) and I was
still using the original thermostat. So treated myself
to a decent 88C Thermostat from Rimmer Bros, an acknowledged good firm
for MG Rover parts. Cost £20 inc P&P but I didn't want to skimp.
Fitted it this morning, and was pleased to see that when I took off the
thermostat housing the cooling system was still full. Last time I put
any water in was about 3 months ago.:-) So out on the test run. She
warmed up to 195F (90C) very quickly (right in the middle of the green
on the ECU Gauge and on the 'O' of Normal on the gauge) and then stayed
pegged there for the rest of the trip. Interestingly, although the ECU
sensor temperature readout (which is below the thermostat) was solid,
the car gauge (which has a sensor above the thermostat) did wander a bit
from just below the 'N' to just above the 'M' of NORMAL. It is
obviously very sensitive and shows the thermostat opening and shutting.
Sitting back in the garage with engine idling she drifted up to
220F(105C) (Showing on the 'A' of NORMAL). Technically above boiling
point but being pressurised that didn't happen. But when the fan was
switched on she went back down to about 200F (91C).
So once again I am pronouncing her fixed. Although time will tell, I am
quite confident this time. Remains to be seen what happens in the
heat of summer. Maybe I will need a 'summer' thermostat (75C?) and a
'winter' thermostat
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