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frosty2008

New Member

• Aug 24, 2010

• #1

hi guys

ive done a search and some reading on this but cant seem to pin down an answer.

i have a coolent loss that only seems to manifest its self when i use the heating system. if i turn on the fans raise the temperature or anything the level goes down. i have changed the O rings so im thinking along the lines of the following

heater matrix
radiator
and porous block or head gasket (god i hope not)

there is no mayo in the oil etc.

Ive heard talk of flushing/back flushing the system but im unclear how to.

is there anything i should be looking at in specific before i shell out for expensive components? ill take it by to my mechanics for a pressure test this week.

cheers

 

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frosty2008

New Member

• Aug 24, 2010

• #2

sorry i have a 98 4ltr p38 auto with lpg conversion.

 

nathan5346

Well-Known Member

• Aug 24, 2010

• #3

Stop using the heating system

 

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frosty2008

New Member

• Aug 24, 2010

• #4

i have done!! all fans are off and a/c is off = no collent loss.. well nothing major !!

this is all nice in the summer but come winter i have a feeling that i might need it.. especially if we have the white fluffy stuff we had last year.

 

fett

Well-Known Member

• Aug 24, 2010

• #5

I think if you have a leak then flushing/ back flushing it wont fix your leak. if you dont loose any coolant when you not using the heater then it has to be To do with that but you need to get in there to find the leak

 

fett

Well-Known Member

• Aug 24, 2010

• #6

nathan5346 said:

Stop using the heating system

Click to expand...

Now come on nate , that wasnt very constructive was it:boink:

lol

 

nathan5346

Well-Known Member

• Aug 24, 2010

• #7

fett said:

Now come on nate , that wasnt very constructive was it:boink:

lol

Click to expand...

It would stop the loss wud it not?

 

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frosty2008

New Member

• Aug 24, 2010

• #8

im going to change the rad when it arrives and see if that fixes it....

then im going to replace the matrix.... see if that works

cheers all

 

fett

Well-Known Member

• Aug 25, 2010

• #9

nathan5346 said:

It would stop the loss wud it not?

Click to expand...

:hysterically_laughi

 

classic kev

Well-Known Member

• Aug 25, 2010

• #10

Heater matrix sounds favourite but while your messing about with it, crawl under the engine and check out your core plugs.

 

vougese39

Well-Known Member

• Aug 30, 2010

• #11

core plugs water pump blocked rad heater matrix on a p38a not a nice job i would do the blend motors while you have the dash out nice and easy then

 

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frosty2008

New Member

• Sep 7, 2010

• #12

update update

ive caught the bugger while it was dripping.

i have found a drip from the left hand rocker cover corner nearest the steering wheel. would this indicate a head gasket problem? I don't have any of the other usual signs of head gasket failure (mayo in the oil and coolant etc.). Sniff test of the expansion tank smells normal and only smells of coolant.

The top radiator hose (big diameter one) is extremely pressurised and i get a hissing sound when i remove the expansion filler cap (only after leaving it cool of course). Am i right in thinking that a little pressure is normal so a little hiss is normal too?

Ive been in touch with the previous owners and they tell me that the engine was partially rebuilt with new heads last June or July....

what next? i haven't replaced the rad or matrix yet. would a decent flush out of the system be best way to go.

Ive never flushed before any tips on how to do it???

 

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frosty2008

New Member

• Sep 8, 2010

• #13

another update.

no leaks (for now) still a pressurised big hose at the top of the rad. after i let it cool i opened the expansion cap and heard a rush of water and a gurgling sound. im thinking air bubble or blocked rad.

???