Radiator woes
Posted: August 5th, 2007, 5:33 pm
Had a big service done a few hundred miles ago: new plugs, leads, fuel filter, air filter, oil and filter, rocker-cover gaskets; also had the coolant replaced.
Well, you know what they say about new coolant finding leaks and weak points... anyway the radiator developed a leak, at the edge of the rad (not the core), so I had to go ahead and have a complete new radiator fitted.
I'm not sure whether it was that the new radiator was made to different tollerances, or whether the hoses were simply past their best, but there was a weeping from the join between the "top"-hose and the rad that could be cured even by taking of the Mazda-fitted clip and using a much more substantial jubilee clip. So a new top hose was ordered and, after waiting a week to get one, fitted. Leaking now solved, it looked like I was back on the road again!
Two days ago I was sat in a nasty traffic jam - total gridlock! - trying to get out of town. The usual stop-go traffic, the temp gauge showing it's usual "just above half-way" reading, the fan kicking-in periodically to keep the temp down, when... "POP!"
Oh crap...
Steam gushes from under the bonnet (hood), and I pull over almost immediately. My car's entire supply of coolant now unhelpfully spread on the road, I open the bonnet (hood) expecting the worst...
I am then (pleasantly) suprised to see that the "bottom"-hose has come away from the radiator. So harmless enough, and no long-term damage done (I hope).
Here's my question (sorry for the long back-story): What could have caused this? Is it probable that the fit between the bottom-hose and the radiator is not perfect (all the hoses are almost certainly the originals (1993)), and a sturdier jubilee-clip and/or new hose would solve this problem? Or could it be that the mechanic did not bleed the cooling system properly?
I admit to not understanding how you would bleed the V6's cooling system, if indeed this is relevant or possible. I have previously worked on older-style cars, where you'd take the pressure-cap off the expansion tank and run the engine 'til warm, then loosen a bleed screw at the top of the radiator to let out any trapped air. Is this kind of procedure relevant to the K8? Also, what is the purpose of the two pressure-caps on the K8; one near the top of the inlet manifold, and one under the plastic intake manifold that runs along the top of the radiator?
Any advice appreciated!
Pete.
Well, you know what they say about new coolant finding leaks and weak points... anyway the radiator developed a leak, at the edge of the rad (not the core), so I had to go ahead and have a complete new radiator fitted.
I'm not sure whether it was that the new radiator was made to different tollerances, or whether the hoses were simply past their best, but there was a weeping from the join between the "top"-hose and the rad that could be cured even by taking of the Mazda-fitted clip and using a much more substantial jubilee clip. So a new top hose was ordered and, after waiting a week to get one, fitted. Leaking now solved, it looked like I was back on the road again!
Two days ago I was sat in a nasty traffic jam - total gridlock! - trying to get out of town. The usual stop-go traffic, the temp gauge showing it's usual "just above half-way" reading, the fan kicking-in periodically to keep the temp down, when... "POP!"
Oh crap...
Steam gushes from under the bonnet (hood), and I pull over almost immediately. My car's entire supply of coolant now unhelpfully spread on the road, I open the bonnet (hood) expecting the worst...
I am then (pleasantly) suprised to see that the "bottom"-hose has come away from the radiator. So harmless enough, and no long-term damage done (I hope).
Here's my question (sorry for the long back-story): What could have caused this? Is it probable that the fit between the bottom-hose and the radiator is not perfect (all the hoses are almost certainly the originals (1993)), and a sturdier jubilee-clip and/or new hose would solve this problem? Or could it be that the mechanic did not bleed the cooling system properly?
I admit to not understanding how you would bleed the V6's cooling system, if indeed this is relevant or possible. I have previously worked on older-style cars, where you'd take the pressure-cap off the expansion tank and run the engine 'til warm, then loosen a bleed screw at the top of the radiator to let out any trapped air. Is this kind of procedure relevant to the K8? Also, what is the purpose of the two pressure-caps on the K8; one near the top of the inlet manifold, and one under the plastic intake manifold that runs along the top of the radiator?
Any advice appreciated!
Pete.