Engine Blown again........

After spending a small fortune last year getting the head skimmed, new radiator, water pump, hoses, etc. etc. I have been lulled into a false sense of security.

Had a trip up to to the safari park at Sterling a couple of weeks ago, car running like a dream. Pulled away and 5 mins down the road the temp gauge started to move over half way. So I pulled over and put some water in (us P38 owners are always prepared). Engine cooled down, pulled onto the M9 and everything was fine for 5 mile or so, until just before the contraflow. So pulled over again to let cool off. Only had flavoured water now, so the kids went thirsty.

I was in quite a dangerous position on the hard shoulder, so waited for it to cool down again and took the risk of driving through the contraflow and off the motorway. This time I was in the red within a few minutes. I was in a single lane limited to 40 MPH, a wagon up my backside, and it seemed to take an age for a junction to appear.

End result gasket or head has gone again.

What to do?? A replacement engine, or sell spares or repairs?

Any other brothers feel my pain...........

top hat liners.

I know it may be a daft question but are you sure your radiator fan is working correctly?

yes working fine. really don't know the initial cause of the overheating, as everything had been renewed last year.

Just have to face the fact I bought a pup. I really do not want to throw any more money at it.

I had the same problem, top hat liners curred it once and for all. Mine had had a brand new engine just before I purchase it aswell

Its not a pup really you have to work out why it overheated without overheating it would have kept going so there must be a leak somewhere I was in a similar situation had a leak from orings getting pressurisation and had a slipped liner but it ran for nearly 10 k pinging away on that liner changed the engine heads went 6 months later due to a pin hole leak in the return hose from the rad to expansion tankit was completely hidden but I knew it was leaking and one day forgot to top up and oops head gasket again sorted that and had a weep from heater matrix again out of laziness left it and kept topping up forgot it pressurised blew the top hose off and yep heads again and this time when I took the heads off ring was bust scored and cracked liner so shall have new liner fitted put her back together and this time replace the heater matrix so in a nutshell they run on forever if we look after them so fix it you will truggle to find a more versatile motor I know I looked oh and have done 80 odd k in mine and still grin everytime I get in
Good luck we have all had the pain but it is worth it
Pop your location on someone handy may be nearby

Thanks for the reply. I have access to another vehicle, so just going to see how I feel in a few weeks time, when I can make a decision when I will hopefully be a little calmer and rational.

I have spent a lot on this over the past year or so and from what I can see of the costs associated with having top hat liners installed, head skimmed etc., I could probably buy another for the same price and keep mine for spares.

I am located near Berwick Upon Tweed if anyone is passing to give a second opinion

Mine needs the heads skimmed and a new liner which I am doing at the moment heads 100 quid new liner 300 quid engine has only done 35k so worth it if you are looking for a replacement engine speak to Joe at Emmotts he had a deal that was good dont give up