my saffy cossie 4x4 header tank keeps pressurising.... senario is, after a half hour or so, when i stop, i can hear cooling system bubbling, so i have to loosen header cap to release pressure and after it stops, i leave it for a few mins while air bubbles out, then top up. temp gauge reads normal, not overheating, so ??????
not looking forward to replies

CARL.......

 

headgasket....? you can have a compresion test done - and get a exhaust gas analyser (MOT style) and place that in the top of header tank when u open it - will show if combustion gasses are being forced intot thecooling system from the cylinders.

 

Don't go off the standard Ford guage. For some reason the Cossie guages are shat and don't work properly.

 

i always thought that if h/gasket was gone,then i would
have oil in the water, or water in the oil. is this correct.
i,ve only had the car for 6 weeks and i seem to be chucking
ŁŁŁ,s at the funking thing all the time .
suppose if head has to come off, a bit of porting could be an option

 

I'd go with the head gasket on this one.

My montego used to blow water out after thrashing it, but that's cos they put the radiator off a 1.6 on it and it couldn't cool it enough.

BTW I've got oil in the water on my current car, but sod it, it's still running ok, so if it blows it blows

 

defo headgasket mate get a grp A then itll be mint!!!

 

get a compression test before you pull the head off. does the header tank smell of fumes?

 

its made by Ford, nuff said

 

no smell of fumes that i can detect.... also runs as normal, but
afraid 2 use it now.... . is the cap supposed 2 be vented ??
if this was blocked, could that be my problem ??

 

don't go pulling the thing to bits before you have a compression test done as i have had this before and it was the cap!!

pugo!

 

gonna change the thermostat tomorrow, and flush rad and change cap.
wish me luck

.....CARL......

 

Dont worry bout it my car always bubbles has done on all three engines ive had just leave it and keep an eye on your water level and temp gauge.

no prob

 

when this bubbles on yours, much pressure ???
mine has serious pressure, have to loosen cap and
release pressure over a few mins......when i eventually
{safely} take off cap,it still releases bubbles as if there
has been an airlock, few more mins. when releasing pressure
it also spews out water ??? <--- like that

 

bttt..... also, where is the temp sensor that controls
when the fans come on ??? and where on engine is it ??

 

I had the same bubbling scenario whenever I topped up the header tank too full. It was cured by rewiring the fan so that it will spin after the engine has stopped. The hot turbo right behind the radiator is a bad combination in a RST after shutting the engine. There was nothing wrong with the headgasket. It's just that when the engine stops, the water flow stops, but several parts still remain very hot for a while and can cook the water.

 

it may or may not have oil/water mixed - depending where it has actually blown - mine didnt have mayo in it either

 

done the thermostat.. vented the cap..
took it 4 a spin..

STILL THE FOOKING SAME...

 

Did you bleed the cooling system when filling it up? And are you using antifreeze or just water?

 

used coolant/antifreeze....
booked it into sick bay next fri for tests
if h/gasket is gone, am replacing with Grp 1
any improvement over standard ????
i can feel the chuck money at it bug coming on

CARL

 

Welcome to the world of cosworth ownership

 

um....
i think i mean Grp A head gasket
porting anybody ??

 

id go for the cometic gasket - more expensive - but u can eliminate the head blowing ever again

 

HOW MUCH ARE THESE COMETIC GASKETS ??
WORTH THE EXTRA OUTLAY ??
BENEFITS ????

 

about 130-150 depending where u get it from - woodford garage have them in stock.

they are as the gasket should be, not a bit of cornflake box with a bit of tin foil folded round the cylinder holes. they are like the evo gasgets are as std - ive not heard of one go yet. if the engine is in good nick and uve had the head off and had it all done - u might as well spend the extra bit now than have to risk having to have the head off again a few months later when the frosty packet blows again.

 

jumping on your thread, so i apologize.

Exactly how do you go about bleeding the cooling system. Do you just run the engine with the header tank cap off untill the engines warm?

 

with the header tank cap off and, there is a small bleed screw (8mm spanner needed) in the top of the thermostat housing -it has a copper washer under it. remove this and wait until water with no air is flowing. screw back in, and let the car warm up, keeping the water level to full in the tank as it gets pumped round.