hi guys. Took the capri to work today (about 13 miles) after fitting thermostat and doing few other bits and bobs over the last couple of days.

Car got me there sweet as a nut. Left work, drove about 1mile just about to jump on m4 and i saw water spraying on window. I thought it was starting to rain, but i slowed down slightly and saw water spraying from bonnet. Pulled over and the rad had blown a big hole. The water was luke warm so it deffo not over heated.

Originally when i got the car it didn't have a thermo so should i just take it out again? I'm under the impression that the viscous fan has nothing to do with it anyway. Runs off a different water temp sensor or something.

The problem is (according to AA) that there is alot of pressure in the rad. I'm assuming its because of the thermo.

Any advice please?

 

Thermostats do NOT alter pressure other than the fact they allow the water to get up to temperature which will increase the pressure, as it was ok for 13 miles not going to be this, maybe the rad was just shagged.
The viscous fan has no temp switch etc, it is fluid filled around the alloy centre, it normally rotates freely in raltion to the inner outer parts, but when a certain temp is reached the fluid goes more solid and trasmits drive from one part to the other to make the fan then turn at engine speed.
If there is according to the AA a lot of pressure in the rad, this would be an assumption on thier part as the pressure was now gone.
It's more likely to be a shagged rad, well it is now anyway or head gasket/s.
You have to buy a new rad so try it first, they don't suffer particularly from h/g problems.
tabetha

 

Well the Rad was very old so I was hoping that was the problem. It wasn't exactly pissing out at high pressure and like i say it wasn't even hot.

The Rad prob was blocked as the water was brown when I got the car. I have since flushed it but i'm guessing it could still have been blocked. Do you think it worth removing the stat anyway?

I really dont think its headgasket to be honest.

For some reason this post has duplicated itself three times. One post is good enough

Thanks for the help