P38 4 Litre Coolant Loss and Overheat?

defender1990

Active Member

Posts

204

Location

Lymington, Hampshire

• Jun 7, 2010

• #1

Ive recently aquired a 95 p38 with an engine problem, once it gets up to temperature it leaks its coolant onto the floor at quite a rate, the entire tank in about 2 minutes!! I recently did the head gaskets and the valley gasket but ive no idea what could be leaking. It comes from the top of the rear of the engine and goes down over the bellhousing and onto the floor.

The car has had "new" heads put on it but i think this is absolute rubbish as to the condition they are in.

Any ideas anyone out there? as id rather try to fix it than pay out £1300 for another engine.

Peter Savin

 

robp38

Well-Known Member

Posts

2,503

Location

north devon

• Jun 7, 2010

• #2

i had the same problem after replacing the head gaskets on my 4.6.
mine was because i hadnt torqued the heads properly, it leaked across the rear of the engine because that is where the waterways are. did you do yours as rave says (15lb torque then turn bolts 90 degrees then 90 degrees again) by following the sequence shown, you may be lucky and get away with re-doing the bolts, also make sure that the valley gasket is properly lined up andthat the rubber things are on both ends.

hope this helps

rob

 

discomark10

Well-Known Member

Posts

3,977

Location

Milton Keynes

• Jun 7, 2010

• #3

i would suggest maybe plug up the hole where it leaks and see what temp it gets to... if it continues into the red then ide say theres a problem

 

Last edited: Jun 7, 2010

defender1990

Active Member

Posts

204

Location

Lymington, Hampshire

• Jun 8, 2010

• #4

the problem is i cant see where its comming from, it seems to have stopped for now but appears to be going into the piston and comming out the left exhaust as vapour so it must be a gasket problem i think

 

j the range

New Member

Posts

3,927

Location

liverpool

• Jun 8, 2010

• #5

did you get your heads skimmed, if not that maybe your problem..

 

defender1990

Active Member

Posts

204

Location

Lymington, Hampshire

• Jun 8, 2010

• #6

no as i diddnt put them on, they are different heads so im told but im thinking the issue now is that the head gasket on the left side looking at the front of the car as a lot of vapour is comming out but the coolant level seemed to stay put

 

j the range

New Member

Posts

3,927

Location

liverpool

• Jun 8, 2010

• #7

how hard is your top hose getting, you may do well to have your water tested, take it to mot station ask them to test your water for gasses. tbh thats where i would start..