Fordmad!

Just changed the radiator and thermostat on my xr3i.

Filled it full of water, then with the header tank cap off ran it for a couple of minutes to bleed itself. Havnt put antifreeze in yet as i was checking for leaks first.

Went for a quick run, pulled over to check the level, it was fine but seemed really hot for a short run!
Temp gauge is playing up, reads nothing then goes halfway then settles on a quater when i no its alot hotter then that so its hard too tell how hot it is.

Come home then let it tick over with cap off again as i thought it could have abit of air still left in it then all of a sudden header tank filled up an started overflowing!!
Turned it off quickly and it did it again! Is that just trapped air or is there a more serious problem?

It drives fine. I will say the other rad i had in had a crack in it and i was on a drive home about a month ago realised i had no heaters pulled over and there wasnt much water in it and as i had no temp gauge i didnt realise.
Don't no if this has anything to do with it?

Help please!!

Fordmad!

Anyone?

Fordmad!

Could i have blown the headgaset or warped the head?

Fordmad!

Nobody have an idea what i could of done?

Leeproc

Is your oil ok?

Greasenuts

Going on what you said about running it low on water, I would suspect a blown h.gasket/warped head unfortunately.... sorry to say it mate

once the engine is upto temp (yeah i know your guage doesnt work) no pressure should be generated within the cooling system. once its upto temp put the cap on and leave it running for a minute or 2, remove the cap CAREFULLY and listen for a hiss, (pressure escaping). this could be a sign of a blown headgasket. (compression escaping from the combustion chamber, via the head gasket into the cooling system). This is only a rough guide mate, please dont take my word on it!!!!!!!

good luck

Fordmad!

I don't want to run it to long as it does hiss abit sounds like it bleeding itself then all of a sudden it errupts!!!

Don't really mind if its just the headgasket but i don't really want to get a new head!

Fordmad!

How can i find out what the problem is without ripping the head off?

Fordmad!

Took the head off and bolts had half a turn on them so tightened them down and put some k seal in hopfully this will do the trick!

Mats1985

Mines doin this changed everything had head of etc still doin it iv tried everything

Mats1985

Mines a Rs turbo water gushes out all the time especially when I turn it off then bubbles for 20mins

Robmatheson

Have the exact same problem with my mk2 orion 16i.

Brendan

iTrader: (1)

to check for a blown head gasket you can pressure test. if one of the cylinders is low then you have a leak! as regards to the temp have you tied a new sender? they are not expensive for the CVH also if money's tight get one at a scrapper for a one or 2 quid! another trick to try is vacuum filling your coolant system. This worked really well for me NO air locks at all . If you are completely screwed pm me!

I find it helps a lot to use the vacuum method as I have modified my cooling system!

I have also used "Red Line Water Wetter" this is really good too as it makes the water better at moving the heat out of the engine!

JamesH

iTrader: (21)

Water pump?

Mats1985

Water pump brand new so is head gasket and had it skimmed and pressure tested also new header tank cap an new heater matrix also removed thermostat how to u vacuum fill the system

Cardie

I'd be taking the thermostat out and checking it first make sure its not a dodgey one!

Fordmad!

Ive had a new thermostat. Put a new sensor in and it seems to of worked still getting hotter then it should tho

Chaz888

When I had my X3 I did away with the stat and used a restrictor coller and had the fan running all the time , think they always seemed a bit hot as standard .