j.kenzie@sbcglobal.net

Hi guys,
I had developed the usual PS tank seal leak on my radiator. It took two time for my shop to fix it, but it was working fine. Suddenly I got a overheat warning light on my dash and saw steam coming from under my hood. The picture shows what I found. It's a three inch gash on my new replacement end tank.
I have a 928MS aluminum radiator coming to replace this.
Good luck,
Dave

Ducman82

ick!

SeanR

That's makes me think you have way too much pressure in your system. Never seen one split like that. I have seen one where the people putting the end tank on left the block of Styrofoam in there, which did cause some high pressures.

j.kenzie@sbcglobal.net

I am using the stock radiator cap which says "100" on it. I assume that stands for 1.0 atm or 14.7PSI. I had been using one of Carl's low pressure 7PSI caps until my SC install, and ironically I decided I needed a stock higher pressure cap for the xtra heat production post SC.
Go figure,
Dave

SeanR

Unless there's a blockage in the coolant system I'd say that end tank had a huge manufacturing defect in it. Glad you didn't get stranded in a desert 100 miles from any life.

ROG100

Definitely over pressure as you can see the bulging. First time I have seen one like that.
Could be a manufacturing defect (first I have seen) - however very unusual.

Ducman82

what could cause that kind of blockage?

ROG100

As Sean said - the plastic tanks come with a rectangular piece of Styrofoam the size of the inside dimensions of the tank to protect it from being crushed. Tank assembled to radiator with the styro block left in place - that would cause a blockage 8>).
You can see the cooler so that did not happen in this case.

OBehave

Maybe a little too much boost and a weak head gasket?

Mongo

Holy crap! That's a pretty nasty split. Perhaps there was a blockage in the radiator itself too?

j.kenzie@sbcglobal.net

Hi Guys,
There is something seriously wrong with my car. I replaced radiator, filled it, no leaks. I let it warm up until the thermostat opened, refilled it, the took it for a short ride. Within about 1/4 mile my temp gauge was alarming and most importantly for the first time ever for me, the oil pressure was way too low. Like 1-2, with the warning light flashing. I turned in my garage and parked it.
I have nice looking oil in the sump by dipstick. The coolant reservoir is a little low, bu tnot bad. The timing belt is centered.
I have a few ideas. Head gasket. Spun oil pump gear. Defective water pump. (TB/WP done about a year ago.)
Right now I want to just let it sit, until my brain stops hurting.
I should would appreciate any ideas for a plan. Thanks in advance.
Dave

j.kenzie@sbcglobal.net

I hope it is just a huge air bubble in my cooling system. That has happened before, with high running temps but not like this. The car went right up to temp warning levels with first fill up of the coolant system, which has not happened to me before except in conjunction with my radiator rupture. I am running RP 20W-50. When the car cools down to a nominal temp, it seems to have OK oil pressure. For now I plan to slowly try to fill up the coolant system.
A funny observation which might fit with the air bubble theory: I get no heat out of my vents, even on full heat with coolant overheated.
I just don't know, but right now I feel like sh*t.
Thanks,
Dave

j.kenzie@sbcglobal.net

Hi,
Well I have filled, heated, cooled, and refilled my coolant system several times and probably got another gallon or so into it. It is taking much longer to get to the second line on the temp gauge. The oil pressure is temp related, and seems OK now. I think it will require a little more burping, but maybe I am on the right track. I am finally getting heat from the vents, also. Plenty of pressure in the coolant hoses. My rad cap is 14 PSI and the hoses both feel every bit of that.
I hope I am just dealing with a big air bubble affecting my cooling. Time will tell.
Thanks,
Dave

linderpat

this does not sound right. The system is self burping. I think that split side tank was trying to tell you something, but I just can't figure out what it is.

j.kenzie@sbcglobal.net

Thanks, Linderpat,
I know. Both hoses feel pressurized. The thermostat does open and close based on hose temps, and the thermostat and sealing ring were replaced about a year ago. The car has functioned normally until this series of events. The car has taken another 2 liters of coolant this morning and seems to go to, but no longer go above the second line on the temp gauge.
As far as HG failure due to excessive boost. I am still in the shakedown period of the SC install (maybe obviously). I have not gone over 5 PSI as indicated on my manifold pressure gauge. My AFR's have never been above 14.
I have seen similar behavior before, where the system did self-burp, but it did take a few days. At that time, the temp gauge went from second line, to low coolant light, to coolant top off, to running at the first line on the temp gauge.
I am hoping I will see that again here.
Thanks,
Dave