Coolant fun.

I’ve had my car five months now, and am slowly sorting out cooling issues. Mostly related to very little use over the last six years.

firstly the lower coolant hose was perished and leaking. Then the radiator was extremely furred up and despite flushing was still running hot. A recommended rebuilder retired the day I phoned him, and a recored one from club spares leaked. As did the brand new replacement one, but from a different location. Hopefully rad no 4 is ok. I’ve got fitting down to 10 minutes!

anyway, the reason for this post, is that I am getting a lot of foam made in the headspace when I add a bit of antifreeze. Still bubbly with water alone, but not foamy. It seams to expel most of it when I’ve parked up. No smell of it on the move. I have filled the coolant to the bottom of the metal “cage” in the filler neck.

It’s not getting overly hot now-  you can undo the brass cap as soon as you stop and open the bonnet. And after 120miles this weekend the coolant was this rusty brown colour.

My thoughts are the water pump is cavitating, or there is a head gasket failure, but there’s no oil in the water, nor does the foam smell of exhaust. Local group has suggested a poor engine Earth causing electrolysis but I am doubtful.

Otherwise it handled the m4 and roads to oxford well, accelerating up to 60mph at one point, and no smoke of any sort.

any suggestions?

thanks,

richard.

• This topic was modified 1 day, 7 hours ago by Richard Morris.
• This topic was modified 1 day, 7 hours ago by Richard Morris.