inappropriate question?

[Nick Calne]

Can I ask a car question here? 

My pajero has blown the radiator hoses to bits 3 times in couple of months now and I just don't know why this is happening. No goop in the oil, does that rule out head gasket failure?

Why isnt the pressure being released into the expansion tank? My limited understanding was that the rad cap was a sort of pressure release valve that did this. It moves fine, but could it still be broken? Blocked rad, thermostat? Where is so much pressure coming from to blow the hose?

Not a big problem as it is very old, 'spare' car I have for fun purposes only but I do enjoy it when the weather's wet. (My tiger is hydrophobic in its old age)

Any ideas gratefully received as I do love the old beast and its economic value is probably less than the cost of a trip to the garage... also it is getting embarrassing driving round town in a cloud of engine coolant leaving a wet trail as I go!

[threepot]

Hi Nick,Is there a restriction in the pipe to the exp tank?  Is there a forum for that vehicle you could ask on?

[Sin_Tiger]

The cap may be moving freely when you have it off but that doesn't guarantee,  a) it's moving when I place,  b) that is the correct cap for the engine. I would have thought you would have had problems during the warmer weather though.

Blow through the hose from the expansion tank back to the radiator with the cap off to check that's clear. Try running with the thermostat out on the drive to see what happens.  Careful as I a lot of cases the temperature sender is positioned where the steam collects and gives a unreliable temperature when it gets really hot. If it's a diesel you may not get water in oil indication.

[Geoff W]

Does anyone do braided radiator hoses? There could be a niche market here

[John Stenhouse]

If the pressure is high enough to blow a hose I would guess the head gasket.

[Nick Calne]

Thanks guys. Have decided to fix the pipe, check out the bits and bobs as suggested then limp off to the garage.

[Sin_Tiger]

Ask them to do a hydrocarbons test on the coolant before you go ripping things apart.

[John Stenhouse]

 

That's a good call.

[Nick Calne]

Head gasket, something to do with cams, a few other bits and bobs...... dead! What a sad end to a beautiful relationship!

[John Stenhouse]

That's a shame, I had a Range Rover go the same way, the costs were just too much......mind you I should have given mine to Sin

[Sin_Tiger]

I'm trying to downsize not collect more John 

Winter project Nick 

[Nick Calne]

Just weighing that up Sin.

If that happens expect a text every 15 mins asking for advice!

[Sin_Tiger]

Just weighing that up Sin.

If that happens expect a text every 15 mins asking for advice!