Hi guys back again looking for help.

I got great advice here a year and a half ago when i replaced the head gasket on my war horse.....

anyway there is a new problem.

everything seems to be working fine but the car is leaking coolant . but there is no hole as such. Whats happening is that when i drive the car its fine. seems to be running fine. ...... however when i get out straight after turning off the engine i can hear a hiss. and coolant is bubbling from the pressure cap on the coolant resevoir.

i have to put about 500 ml of water into her everytime i drive off.

Is this a case of a stuck thermostat... ( replaced with the head) or is it somethign more complex?

As always guys thanks in advance for the advice

Compression test. If the thermostat was stuck shut, I'd expect very rapid overheating. Beware of unbranded or non-european replacements.

whats a compression test?

pressurise the coolant system? and watch a fall in pressure?

is this a cheap thing to buy / get done as the car really is coming to the bad side of finacially viable.

Martron said:

whats a compression test?

pressurise the coolant system? and watch a fall in pressure?

is this a cheap thing to buy / get done as the car really is coming to the bad side of finacially viable.

Click to expand...

Compression test is used to test the compression values in each cylinder
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_199553_langId_-1_categoryId_255216

All compressions should be +-10psi if not then you have a leak. Most likely a HG failure.

If the compressions are all good then you can rule out another HG failure

Pressure in the coolant system tends to be due to overheating or a blowing Head Gasket.

ah right.....

i know what you are talking about now.

but would it not be just gas getting explelled through the cap?

the coolant id pushing itself through the cap. i would have though if there was a pressure leak from a cylinder it would forcegas through the coolant rather than pushing coolant out.

i was thinking that maybe the thermstat is sticking so opens and closes sometimes.

for instance i checked coolant this morning and the resivoir was full to the brim. other mornings its empty.

icould it be a cae that the thermostat is partially working and "trapping" ho****er radiator side and failing to open again?

I do the same drive all the time and i can understand the sporadic nature of the coolant levels.

You might try another thermostat -- at least they're cheap. But if the head was nor skimmed before the last head gasket, then I'm pretty sure that the HG will have blown again. Compression test is the only way of being sure it has not blown again.

was thinkgin of lashing another thermostat in it on saturday... if it lasts that long.

but if its the head gone..... its to the scrappie.

There is no gunk on the oil cap though. and althought e coolant is rusty.... they is not exhaust smell off it.

DIY it's not an expensive job -- 20 - 30 pounds for the skimming, 40 for new bolts and gasket set. Where can you buy another car for less than 100 euros?

You are dead right and i am all up for a bit of DIY ....

its getting to the stage though where i cant trust it.

i will see ..... i take it skimming is not a DIY job?

Nah, but it's not expensive. Your local factor (or any of the bigger dealers) will be able to recommend someone.

so a bit of a laugh perhaps for you guys....

came out this morning. Went to top up the coolant. took twice as much as normal.

went to start it.

would not turn over. I had an idea that one of the cylinders had water in it.

When the head gasket went last time it was cylinder 2 . so i unscrewed the spark plug and fired up the engine. water came out.

turned off the engine.

spark flug back in . started. granted it was rough. but was fine after a few seconds.

was really stuck so drove to work.... ( silly i know but you gotta do what you gotta dio)

ran fine.

fingers crossed it starts to get me home... i will forgive her if she doesnt as i know i punished her!

Ah well, at least that cuts out the expense of a compression test!

straightforward DIY job if patient refer to other posts & guides.....

i think i might take it on as a hobby to fix it....

got a lend of a bmw 318 c .


more to the story. .....

made it hom from work. the car started no bother in the car park of work. drove it home. stopped at a shop fir 5 mins. came out and the car would not turn over. i stuck it in gear and rolled it. it moved the pistons enough for it to turn over. so it turned over slowly and with a bit of a rev fired up with a plume of white smoke.

there is is not maynaisse in the oil cap. anyway i think i will try and fix it but getting a new motor is a priority.

thansk for the help and guidance as always!