p38 overheating/coolant issues

Buttas · Jun 30, 2011

Hi, I'm hoping someone can help me out with collant/overheating issues. Its a p38 4.6 v8 converted to LPG, with overheating issues.

If I remove the drain plug from the bottom of the radiator, I'm assuming that should drain all the coolant from the system? When I did that with the header tank cap off, I got at most a litre out, and the header tank was still full.

The reason Im doing that is I was replacing the heater matrix o-rings. When I disconnected the matrix pipes no coolant came out, again even though the header tank was full.

Can I assume then that there is a blockage/air lock somewhere in the system?

Irishrover · Jun 30, 2011

The radiator drain plug removal should empty the around 90% of the coolant. You will still have coolant remain in the engine block.
With only a small amount draining out, it suggests that there is a blockage somewhere, especially if the header tank is not draining.

Buttas · Jun 30, 2011

Thanks for that. I know the coolant was full at the time, around 11.5 litres, so i should have got 9-10 litres by what your saying.

Do you know the route of the coolant by any chance?
When I did that, I was able to change the heater matrix o-rings with no leakage, so does that suggest the blockage would be between header tank and the matrix?

As far as I can see it goes from header tank, to lpg system to heater matrix? does that sound right?

Jamiehol · Jun 30, 2011

There are coolant flow diagrams in Rave.

Jamiehol · Jul 1, 2011

From looking at Rave it may be worth taking the thermostat housing out of the bottom hose to see if you can then drain the header and rest of the system.

As from looking at the diagram of the coolant system I can't see how you coudl drain the header tank from the radiator if the thermostat is closed.

clarkie · Jul 1, 2011

Buttas said:
Hi, I'm hoping someone can help me out with collant/overheating issues. Its a p38 4.6 v8 converted to LPG, with overheating issues.

If I remove the drain plug from the bottom of the radiator, I'm assuming that should drain all the coolant from the system? When I did that with the header tank cap off, I got at most a litre out, and the header tank was still full.

The reason Im doing that is I was replacing the heater matrix o-rings. When I disconnected the matrix pipes no coolant came out, again even though the header tank was full.

Can I assume then that there is a blockage/air lock somewhere in the system?

no wonder it was over heating you had'nt got enough coolant in it in the first place if you only got a liter out of the rad and no more when you disconnected the heater pipes:doh:

Buttas · Jul 2, 2011

clarkie said:
no wonder it was over heating you had'nt got enough coolant in it in the first place if you only got a liter out of the rad and no more when you disconnected the heater pipes:doh:

That's what I don't understand tho, the coolant was recently flushed out and a full 11 or so litres put in, and no obvious leaks so I know there was enough coolant in it ;s

clarkie · Jul 4, 2011

i hope you have'nt got a cracked block mate,its got to have gone somewhere if it was full to start with and you have no leaks,refill it and run it if it overheats again open the bonnet and check the top hose if its rock hard its pressurising the cooling system and you may have big problems,check rad is warm all over and the water pump is working and the t/stat if all is well with these then it may be time for a new engine.soz for the bad news

richwp · Jul 5, 2011

clarkie said:
i hope you have'nt got a cracked block mate,its got to have gone somewhere if it was full to start with and you have no leaks,refill it and run it if it overheats again open the bonnet and check the top hose if its rock hard its pressurising the cooling system and you may have big problems,check rad is warm all over and the water pump is working and the t/stat if all is well with these then it may be time for a new engine.soz for the bad news

Have had similar problems with mine over the last year. Turned out to be a slipped liner :doh:. The problm got steadily worse and ended up with a misfire on cylibnder 7. The plug was rusty and when the engine was stripped, no.7 was steam cleaned! New engine with top-hat liners ordered from Turner Engineering - can't wait to get her back

bongo57fashion · Jul 6, 2011

richwp said:
Have had similar problems with mine over the last year. Turned out to be a slipped liner :doh:. The problm got steadily worse and ended up with a misfire on cylibnder 7. The plug was rusty and when the engine was stripped, no.7 was steam cleaned! New engine with top-hat liners ordered from Turner Engineering - can't wait to get her back

Hey Richwp,
would it be cheeky to ask the cost of the parts and labour as far as you know as I am just about to have the samw job done except on a 2001 4.0 petrol on gas but not sure what to expect.

clarkie · Jul 7, 2011

hope you've got deep pockets mate, labour alone will run into the best part of a grand the engine will be around 3 grand plus depending on spec,

richwp · Jul 7, 2011

bongo57fashion said:
Hey Richwp,
would it be cheeky to ask the cost of the parts and labour as far as you know as I am just about to have the samw job done except on a 2001 4.0 petrol on gas but not sure what to expect.

The engine from Turner Engineering was £3270 all in. I'm adding new coils, leads and plugs. I don't know how much the labour to remove the old engine and re-fit the new one comes to yet!

p38 overheating/coolant issues

Buttas

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