[Fot] TR3 race motor loosing water

[Tony Drews]

Here's a few ideas (that you may have covered already):
1. The radiator cap isn't the "deep neck" one needed for the stock 
radiator and the bottom sprung piece isn't sealing.
2. The overflow tank is plumbed so that it won't pull water back into 
the radiator from that tank (ie the hose goes in the top and doesn't 
reach down into the catch tank very far)
3. You have a minor head gasket leak or cracked head

I've seen problem #1 (standard radiator cap used rather than "long 
neck" one) cause that kind of issue a couple of times.

Cheers, Tony Drews

At 06:35 AM 12/15/2013, Geoff  Byrne wrote:
>AMICI
>
>We have a TR3 race car which keeps loosing water from the radiator and we
>don't know why any thoughts from the collective wisdom of FOT
>
>
>
>Problem:
>
>too much water/coolant pumped out of radiator
>
>only occurs on circuit with long straight.
>
>never overheats or runs too hot
>
>low water warning light comes on towards end of race, ( situated bottom of
>header tank extension)
>
>leak down test 98% seal
>
>head pressure tested
>
>recovery cap (6 and 12 lb) fitted to header tank, overflow to recovery tank
>(Morris 1100), drains into bottom of recovery tank, and overflow to catch
>tank(open to atmosphere)
>
>initially, fluid ran from recovery tank to overflow catch tank, and then
>vented all over engine.
>
>radiator serviced, obstruction in tubes found and cleared, catch tank no
>longer overflowed.
>
>i.e. less fluid leaving cooling system
>
>using 5 blade improved impeller pump, no thermostat (1" restrictor plate,
>bypass occluded)
>
>w/pump rotates at less than, or at most, equal to engine speed
>
>running at approx 6500rpm down straight
>
>at race end, after cool down, recovery tank empty (to level of recovery
>intake pipe, recovered) and overflow catch tank is full (approx 400-500ml),
>unable to be recovered.
>
>Theory: water pump putting too much water into header tank on long run at
>6500rpm, escapes via recovery cap.
>
>But, not explained-- the level in the header tank remains low.
>
>Any advice welcome
>
>
>
>Geoff Byrne
>
>TR6 Racer down under
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