1.8 K Series Cooling System

big_jeffer · Sep 12, 2007

I have a 1.8k with a cooling system problem. The problem usually occurs when driving at over 70 mph and over 3500 rpm. The temperature gauge drops to the bottom of the gauge and the fan kicks in. To rectify, I have to turn the engine off and restart then it is fine for a time before happening again. To accompany this, I seem to have an intermittent coolant leak, although everytime I take it into the garage (3 times) they can find no fault or leak!! Also, the jet of coolant that refills the coolant reservoir seems very intermittent and not continous. Anybody help??

The Mad Hat Man · Sep 12, 2007

sounds more likely to be an electrical fault than a water problem - but the best advice for any owner of a 1.8 with suspect coolant probs is get shot - and quick.

jms1 · Sep 13, 2007

I just redid the whole of my cooling system on my 1.8. I had a similar problem. So decided for the sake of trying to prove everybody wrong, i fitted the PRT kit ( Also known as the remote thermostate,)a new header tank and cap and a new radiator i got on ebay (Nissens radiator). I changed all the other hoses too whilst i was there. OK so it was a bit expensive but in my experiance when replacing parts on a system, if not all done, then a week link occurs and creates a problem. Proven right, when the only hose i did not change was the bleed hose, and gues what it started leaking.
Anyway if you want to keep costs down, then fit the remote thermostate kit. Its cheap. With regards to the header tank, if the flow is intermittent, then you have air in the system. Was any work carried out on the thermostate area, coz they probably fitted it the wrong way and did not bleed the system correctly maybe?
The other thing i found with intermitent coolant leaks is that it happens around a clip. When the engine is hot, the clips get hot too and lose their tightness, Coolant then seeps past the joint. You can chhange all the clips with jubilee clips if you want.
Hope this helps.

Northern Irelander · Sep 13, 2007

big_jeffer said:
I have a 1.8k with a cooling system problem. The problem usually occurs when driving at over 70 mph and over 3500 rpm. The temperature gauge drops to the bottom of the gauge and the fan kicks in. To rectify, I have to turn the engine off and restart then it is fine for a time before happening again. To accompany this, I seem to have an intermittent coolant leak, although everytime I take it into the garage (3 times) they can find no fault or leak!! Also, the jet of coolant that refills the coolant reservoir seems very intermittent and not continous. Anybody help??

The temp will drop if the engine is over cooling. I did some messing about with the coolant system, note the blanked stat ring below. Too much flow was going through the engine when at speeds of 50mph the temp dropped like a stone on the gauge and returned to normal when engine on idle.

In the standard system, once the stat is opened it works fine (temperate climates only).

Are you sure the fan hasnt come on before the temp drops. Remove the brown connector switch (see below), if the fan comes on straight away then the electrics are fine.

As for the leak.......you need to have a look for signs of coolant, change your expansion cap, the valves can sometimes allow evapouration when system is hot and under pressure.

jms1 said:
I just redid the whole of my cooling system on my 1.8. I had a similar problem. So decided for the sake of trying to prove everybody wrong, i fitted the PRT kit ( Also known as the remote thermostate,)

Careful jms1, the remote stat and PRT are different things

slob · Sep 13, 2007

jms1 said:
I just redid the whole of my cooling system on my 1.8. I had a similar problem. So decided for the sake of trying to prove everybody wrong, i fitted the PRT kit ( Also known as the remote thermostate,)a new header tank and cap and a new radiator i got on ebay (Nissens radiator). I changed all the other hoses too whilst i was there. OK so it was a bit expensive but in my experiance when replacing parts on a system, if not all done, then a week link occurs and creates a problem. Proven right, when the only hose i did not change was the bleed hose, and gues what it started leaking.
Anyway if you want to keep costs down, then fit the remote thermostate kit. Its cheap. With regards to the header tank, if the flow is intermittent, then you have air in the system. Was any work carried out on the thermostate area, coz they probably fitted it the wrong way and did not bleed the system correctly maybe?
The other thing i found with intermitent coolant leaks is that it happens around a clip. When the engine is hot, the clips get hot too and lose their tightness, Coolant then seeps past the joint. You can chhange all the clips with jubilee clips if you want.
Hope this helps.

promise you wont ever get a job as a vehicle electrician

jms1 · Sep 13, 2007

Hi SLOB, all i can say is that it worked for me. As with regards to an auto electrician, only in my spare time.

Big Jeffer Note on the fans running, Do you have aircon and if so was it switched on?

1.8 K Series Cooling System

big_jeffer

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The Mad Hat Man

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Northern Irelander

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slob

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