Gus Driver
New Member
Hi All,
Recently acquired a p38 (on 98S plate, 4.8 HSE with GEMS). Loving it, but..... got an overheating issue I could do with help on!
Long story short, I think I need a new radiator, but would like to confirm before I start throwing cash in.
I've spend a bit of time on diagnosis using RAVE and online resources, and here's where I'm at:
1) Engine starts overheating after about 15-20 mins continuous use, even when gently cruising at about 50-60mph. Temp gauge rises steadily over about the next 10 mins until light comes on. On one occasion dumped about a litre of coolant through overflow pipe when I pulled to a stop.
2) Coolant levels checked and good. I removed radiator bleed pipe and filled until water flowed out top of radiator spigot.
3) System under pressure. Which is reassuring since documentation shows previous owners had new water pumps fitted in 2014 and then again in Jan this year!
4) Pipes in good condition throughout.
5) Radiator bleed pipe (from rad to expansion tank) clear.
6) I deduce (I hope correctly - please say!) that thermostat is ok. Water in pipe between bottom of rad and thermo housing is cool whilst engine temp warning up; and hot when engine overheating.
7) Radiator appears to be the original one. Some (not major) cluttering of old leaves and insects, etc present. Tellingly, though, the fins are crumbling on touch.
So what I think is that rad is just not acting as effective heat exchange so coolant flows through system just as it should but doesn't get cooled by the rad as it should.
Someone please let me know if I am making an obvious error (entirely possible - I have some but limited auto experience). And any practical advice at all very gratefully received.
Thanks in advance
Recently acquired a p38 (on 98S plate, 4.8 HSE with GEMS). Loving it, but..... got an overheating issue I could do with help on!
Long story short, I think I need a new radiator, but would like to confirm before I start throwing cash in.
I've spend a bit of time on diagnosis using RAVE and online resources, and here's where I'm at:
1) Engine starts overheating after about 15-20 mins continuous use, even when gently cruising at about 50-60mph. Temp gauge rises steadily over about the next 10 mins until light comes on. On one occasion dumped about a litre of coolant through overflow pipe when I pulled to a stop.
2) Coolant levels checked and good. I removed radiator bleed pipe and filled until water flowed out top of radiator spigot.
3) System under pressure. Which is reassuring since documentation shows previous owners had new water pumps fitted in 2014 and then again in Jan this year!
4) Pipes in good condition throughout.
5) Radiator bleed pipe (from rad to expansion tank) clear.
6) I deduce (I hope correctly - please say!) that thermostat is ok. Water in pipe between bottom of rad and thermo housing is cool whilst engine temp warning up; and hot when engine overheating.
7) Radiator appears to be the original one. Some (not major) cluttering of old leaves and insects, etc present. Tellingly, though, the fins are crumbling on touch.
So what I think is that rad is just not acting as effective heat exchange so coolant flows through system just as it should but doesn't get cooled by the rad as it should.
Someone please let me know if I am making an obvious error (entirely possible - I have some but limited auto experience). And any practical advice at all very gratefully received.
Thanks in advance
