XR - Problem solving - Updated 15/4/07

pablo · Post by **pablo** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 10:34 pm

As some of you may know we have had a recurring problem with our sierra track car. in likes to over pressurise and spit a lot of water out of the expansion tank. We have tried several things to rectify this problem and on a couple of occassions thought we had. :?
Well it's time to get tough we have decide to rip out the entire cooling system all pipes, hoses, expansion bottle, rediator and the viscous fan is going.. The only thing that we are not changing at this time is the water pump as this is actually a new item.

A new wastegate will be orederd shortly to replace our current siezed one, allowing use to up the boost

duncan · Post by **duncan** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 10:36 pm

I hope you get it sorted this time Pablo - its a bit demoralising when this only occurs on track

rayman gtir · Post by **rayman gtir** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 8:05 am

do you think it could be a head gasket? over pressurising the cooling system.

pablo · Post by **pablo** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 11:05 am

rayman gtir wrote:do you think it could be a head gasket? over pressurising the cooling system.

That was our initial fear but the problem only shows up when driving at full tilt on a track. There are also none of the usual signs or symptoms of a blown head gasket. She starts first time everytime and drives perfectly never missing a beat whilst under normal driving. :?

Richf · Post by **Richf** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 11:17 am

If it has a header tank it might be worth getting a sniff test done to check for signs of co2 etc

I am a fan of the shotgun approach as it tend to save track time but its time consuming and expensive

pablo · Post by **pablo** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 11:34 am

Richf wrote:If it has a header tank it might be worth getting a sniff test done to check for signs of co2 etc

Cheers for that never thought about doing that...will get that sorted with my locol garage asap

JC · Post by JC » Wed Mar 07, 2007 12:01 pm

I think you can buy coolant that changes colour if the head gasket leaks water jacket to cylinder...

JC

Richf · Post by **Richf** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 12:08 pm

Yes you can buy a liquid that changes colour blue to yellow iirc or you can simply run the car and put the sniffer used for emissions tests into the header tank , if it records any exhaust gasses they can only be coming from a blown headgasket (or cracked head if you are really unlucky).

Its often not worth buying the kit though just for one test a garage will only charge you

pablo · Post by **pablo** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 1:23 pm

Thanks for your suggestions gents

The old radiator is out so that we can change it in order to run twin electric fans. Once it is all back together we will take it for a sniff test. Luckily my local garage will do this for free

Bart · Post by **Bart** » Sat Mar 10, 2007 2:53 pm

right i have taken all the old water pipes off the car and replaced them with new ones that had lying around also fitted a new 24v cosworth radiator its bigger than the one we have taken off

started the car up and blead the system and now we have a continuas water flow round the engine

which before it only trickled out.

so later on tonight going out to test the car and see what happens :?