Cooling System Overhaul

[kjh2541]

Hi,

I have a minor coolant leak, from the top of the radiator I think (94 KZN130 Auto). Having had the radiator replaced a year or so ago, I'm concerned that there may be other problems in the cooling system.

As I'm planning to keep the surf for a long time, I'd like to completely overhaul the cooling system with a view to increasing my confidence in it's reliability. I have two questions which I'd be grateful for some help on:

1. Replacement parts / actions: What are the components I should be considering to replace to overhaul the system? e.g. Radiator, bottom and top pipes, coolant, viscous fan, viscous fan fluid, etc, etc.

2. Does anyone know any mechanic/garage in central Scotland that has done this type of work with surfs?

The vehicle has been well maintained otherwise, from regular fluid and filter stuff through to rust prevention. As I said, I"m planning to keep the surf for a long time, so I'm thinking of this as more of an investment than a fix.

Any help on this would be appreciated.

Thanks, Keith

[BigYin]

It doesn't seem likely that a year old radiator should be leaking..

Is the expansion tank filling while the motor is hot, and then half empty once it has cooled down?

So far all the main work on my Surf has been done by KerrSurf, with only the rear brake pipes tackled by my local garage.

[kjh2541]

Thanks for the response, Bigyin.

I agree on the radiator. I noticed that there has been small leak of coolant under the vehicle having left it overnight. On looking at the radiator there was some coolant on the top left hand side. I checked the cap which seemed ok.

The radiator top tank seems full on inspection when cold and the level in the reservoir is normal. The leak only seems to happen when, or after the engine is hot and then only for a day. I left it cold for a couple of days and no leak.

I will take it out today, run it warm and see where the coolant reservoir is. I have it booked in for an MOT next week and the garage will do a pressure test to see what's happening. I have a radiator on standby, but hopefully it wont be needed.

Will post the outcome next week.

Thanks, again. Keith

Update - just checked it after three days cold - it has leaked some more coolant and I can see fluid on the top left of the radiator and some of the veins below (opposite side to cap). Looks like their is a small leak on the top tank.

[Hazzo]

Solder it. H

[kjh2541]

Thanks, H. Soldering would fix the leak, it's not loosing a significant amount of fluid, but I'm concerned about having a problem with a year old radiator - the last one lasted 14 years. Maybe it was just a bad one, or maybe there is something causing the problem. Will see what the garage find next week.

Thanks again, Keith

[Hazzo]

http://www.adrad.co.uk/contact/

Get these guys to build you a rad, they're good and reasonable, all the other stuff you can do yourself easily, defo the viscous fan service, its what I blame for my head job last year, a good chemical flush then water through the system, fit an aftermket temp guage and another oil cooler inline with the rad one, if the rear heater pipes look like theyre fubarred ditch and bypass them in the engine bay, new thermostat/rad cap and your good to go, just take your time and get good jubilee clips for the hoses too, all other info on overhauling the system is available through the search function on here. H

[si tate]

A friend of mine had a new rad fitted when he had the head replaced, within 6 months it sprung a leak on the top seam so it's not uncommon.