Dave,
It may just simply be that the cap is worn out, they only last for 2 or 3
years, the spring goes bad inside, and what is to be a 13 # cap, may now
actually have become a 5 # cap...
You can go to Pep Boys, and they sell a coolant system check kit, it comes
with: a cap tester with a small pump and a gauge, florescent dye to put in
the radiator, along with a special light for checking the leaks as it shows
where they are from the dye escaping.
Additionally, your radiator may be plugged at he bottom 1/3 f the core,
causing none or minimal cross flow, also check that the hoses to and from
the PUKE tank are not chinked thus reducing/restricting your flow once you
hit higher speeds/revolutions, causing inadequate flow for proper cooling.
Also do check the water pump bypass hose on the water pump itself by the
generator.
And do check your thermostat as well.
I would check all this prior to pulling the water pump.
Now with al this in mind, you should have plenty to keep you from getting
bored this weekend!!!
Do NOT let this go, as you could cause some serious damage to the engine
quite fast...
See Ya' And a Happy 4th to you and Ms. TIGER !!!!
Jan....
-----Original Message-----
From: Dave Binkley <dbinkley@argotech.com>
To: 'tigers@autox.team.net' <tigers@autox.team.net>
Date: Friday, July 03, 1998 1:13 PM
Subject: Overheating
>I've had my Tiger for 6 months and 700 miles so far and have watched the
>list talk about Tiger's puking coolant. Have felt real secure in the
>observation that so far I haven't seen the temp gauge go north of 180 so
>far through a wide range of driving conditions. Last Monday morning the
>guage hit 205 after a 20 minute freeway run at 70 mph (outside air temp
>was a cool 50 degrees - fog in the bay area), but cooled down to 170
>after getting off of the freeway and driving through town. Tuesday
>night it did the same thing when I brought the car home. Odd.
>
>This afternoon I checked the coolant tank and it was low so I added
>water to the half way mark. Even checked it with a popcicle stick.
>Took the car up the freeway 10 miles and back at 70 mph, took it awhile
>but it did go up to 200 on the gauge. As I was pulling into the garage
>at home, the car let out a howl and dumped most of the coolant within
>about a minute. It was hard to determine exactly where it was coming
>from, the garage was dark, and I wasn't real thrilled about sticking my
>head down in all that steam and hissing. It was definitely coming from
>somewhere below or near the water pump and stopped once the level got
>down to wherever it was leaking from. I was late and had to run to
>dinner with my wife so left the car to cool down.
>
>Just got home, checked things over with the flashlight and couldn't see
>anything obvious. Added some water, took about 3/4 gallon. Fired it up
>and went back up the freeway. Got it back to the house and shut down
>before it hit 200, but it was headed there. Everything was nice and dry
>- no obvious leaks.
>
>So, what's going on. 13 lb radiator cap on the coolant tank. Stock
>260. I figure either the thermostat is not opening or the water pump is
>shot. I can easily check the thermostat tomorrow morning. Is there an
>easy way to check out the water pump short of pulling it?
>
>Any other suggestions? Have not yet calibrated the gauge so not sure
>how accurate it is. But, if it is reasonably accurate, this shouldn't
>happen at 205 - 210 should it.
>
>Thanks for the help.
>
>Dave
>
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