P38 overheating and using water

Hi folks,

I have recently purchased a p38 4.0 v8 petrol and drove it for best part of 200 miles to get it home, two days later after sitting all day I took it out and noticed the engine was running hot after two or three minutes driving. I have checkecked the water level and there was nothing left so filled it up, took about 4 kettle fulls to do it. Ran it again but same happened so left it over night as was late and arranged to take it to the garage the next day. Again I checked the water and it needed filling again so I did and ran it over to the garage which is about 7 mes away but there was no over heating and there hasn't been since although it is still using water and needs filled most days, whethr it has been run or not.

The garage suggest it is a thermostat problem or the cylinder head but the place I bought it from says it was probably an air lock, can anyone else help with suggestions before I take it back????

Many thanks, doug

check for damp carpets in the front, if it has replace heater o rings!

hi doug,if you are topping up with water all the time,how is your anti-freeze? water will also heat up and run at a higher temp.than coolant.have you checked all hoses for signs of a leak?header tank cap sealing?water pump?radiator?oil discolouration?
the thermostat can be removed and checked,but as you say you have only just bought the car i would be taking it back before you open pandora,s box .if you do anything yourself at this stage,you are only giving the supplier a getout clause.
it most definatley does not sound like an airlock.
try removing header tank cap and topping up with engine ticking over whilst keeping an eye on temp gauge.this can take a while to get correct level.
best of luck with her and hope you get it sorted.....

Hi guys,

thanks for the suggestions unfortunately the garage has diagnosed it as the cylinder head so the car is going back.

Thanks again and happy new year

doug

are they fixing it or are you getting a refund?

watch they dont just k-seal it and return it.

i would try and put some identifying marks on it if your getting it fixed. the oil filter will need changing if they are doing the heads, maybe mark that.

also try and get a bit of paint marker on the gap b'tween the heads, this will end up getting cleaned off when they skim em if they are doing hg's.

anything else you can mark too, just to be sure.

There are going to fix it so will mark it up as best I can.

Thanks Gav, all the best for the new year

Doug