Condom test

[Rich_ac_uk]

Hi guys - looks like I bought a bit if a duffer

I noticed trouble after a run from Hertfordshire to norfolk. I got there and could hear a bubblilng noise. I found it to be air bubbling through the water in the radiator expansion tank, so air is being pushed past my rad cap valve.


Other symtoms are- white smoke but not a huge amount and only on tickover and then only sometimes. It smells sort of sweet?

It's losing water from the rad and into the expansion tank.

I topped it up a little while ago and then went back to it (the engne had not been started in the meanwhile) and the level had dropped again - so not sure where that water has gone??

I did the the condom test as suggested by Surfer Ross and the condom fills but only enough for it to stand erect and not blow up like a balloon - so what does it all mean?

Hope you can give me some other things to try before I face the inevitable!

Thanks

Rich

[Albannach]

Take it to a garage and have a sniff test done.

[Albannach]

The condom test tells you nothing (IMO).

The sweet smell is probably anti-freeze.

[Rich_ac_uk]

what actually is a sniff test? and what would it tell me?
And is it something that any old back street garage ought to be able to do?

Thanks

Rich

[TonyN]

The condom test tells you nothing (IMO).

LOL, it proves the water is getting warm and expanding, and your pump is working!

The 'sniffer' test is an attactment that goes on the rad cap hole, with a blue (usually) fluid in it, thsi fluid changes colour to green or yellow in the presence of Carbon monoxide (exhaust gases) so as you motor runs, if you have a cracked head or duff gasket, exhaust gases with be getting into the coolant, and so the fluid will change colour.

Its a fool proof way of seeing if you need to hoik the head off.

The other way is to pressurise the cooling system, and it should hold pressure, but this way can't tell if its the head/gasket or another leak somewhere else in the system.

[Rich_ac_uk]

glad no one saw me with an inflated condom projecting from my surf then!!!

[POPEYE]

glad no one saw me with an inflated condom projecting from my surf then!!!

just wot i was thinking!! anyway whats sniffing a condom gonna tell ya
(apart from wether it's been used or not)

[Albannach]

LOL, it proves the water is getting warm and expanding, and your pump is working!

Aye, I was going to say that, but decided to wait and see if anyone bit

[Vultch]

glad no one saw me with an inflated condom projecting from my surf then!!!

As long as you love each other.... its fine

[Rich_ac_uk]

love/hate at the moment.

[TonyN]

Aye, I was going to say that, but decided to wait and see if anyone bit

I ain't biting a condom!

[stormforce]

As long as you love each other.... its fine

you can love your truck but not LOVE your truck especially if the exhaust is hot

[John h]

Richard ! sometimes just sometimes...you really worry me ! Oh nice pics by the way !!

[stormforce]

I aim to please John i aim to please

[jeff.fn02jwa]

well at least his surf did not nead the wee blue pill