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RE: Hot running Spit (Long - again)

To: triumphs@autox.team.net
Subject: RE: Hot running Spit (Long - again)
From: Randall Young <ryoung@NAVCOMTECH.COM>
Date: Wed, 14 Aug 2002 13:34:58 -0700
Stephane St-Amant wrote :

> 3) Head Gasket failure:
>    Changed the oil last week.  Oil was nice and black!
>    No traces of coolant in it.  Will check again tonight.
>
>    The coolant that overflowed was that nice shade of
>    grenn I should expect it to be.
>    Will double check tonight.

Stef, I'm hoping the rad cap is your problem.  However, I wouldn't expect it
to overheat just from losing that little bit due to expansion (after all,
the radiator should still be full at operating temp).  A head gasket (or
worse yet a cracked head) that leaks combustion gasses into the coolant will
not necessarily leak coolant into the oil, nor will the coolant change color
because of the combustion gasses.  And even a significant leak will usually
not show up during a compression test.

If replacing the cap doesn't solve the problem, IMO a compression leak is
still a likely suspect.  Any radiator shop should have the kit to test for
combustion gasses in the coolant.

There's also an "old timer's" trick to check for gas leaks : remove the fan
belt and the thermostat housing.  Fill with water until the level is flush
with the opening in the head and then start the engine.  (It's safe to run
it for several minutes this way, but don't take too long.)  Rev the engine a
few times while watching for bubbles in the opening.  If you see any, there
is a gas leak somewhere.

Randall

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