My \'92 fd is using water. It was doing this before it was rebuilt by dragon performance and its still doing it now. Apparently it is now out of warranty. I was told about the \'champagne test\' so I have tried this and from what I have been told the result means I have water seal failure. I have taken two videos of it this morning the second one was taken immediately after the first and as you can see doesn\'t look the same. Is this water seal failure? Is there anything else it could possibly be/I can eliminate before having to rebuild it again?
Please help :(
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elU9AYU7oSE&feature=plcp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U38CnrvobIk&feature=plcp
Have you done any work on the coolant system recently? There are a few things that could cause the Bubbles.
First thing would be check both caps are good and the correct way around (Sprung on the AST and plain on the Engine) with both caps on and the engine topped up pull the AST - Overflow tank pipe off and check there is no coolant coming out past the cap whilst its warming up. While you’re there follow the AST-Overflow tank pipe back and make sure there is no damage or Holes in it (also make sure there is some coolant in the over flow tank, make a note of how much and Monitor it)
Ideally to bleed the system properly you need a Funnel that holds 1/2lt -1lt, wrap black tape round the end so it fits tight into the engine top up hole, add ½ lt of water to the funnel and run it up to temp with the Heater on full hot inside the car. Then let it all cool down well before removing the Funnel (don’t want any Burns), Fd’s can be a pita to Bleed so you might need to do this more than once.
That certainly doesn\'t look good mate I\'m afraid
Thanks for the reply I haven\'t done any engine related work at all recently dragon deleted the ast on my car when I had the rebuild/v-mount etc. guess I\'ll give the bleed thingy a go
Does it start from cold ok ? I\'d also stick the ast back on as its there for a reason .
How long ago/how many miles was since you had it rebuilt? Isn\'t there a tool garages use to determine if a cars head gasket has gone? A sniffer? Surely one of these would work to determine if you have seal failure.
Sorry to hear you have problems,
To know for sure and not risk any additional damage through overheating, any local garage should be able to carry out a hydrocarbon test for very little money, that way you will know for sure what is going on.
hope this helps
Yep starts from cold fine (it was cold when I did the vid)
Rebuild was in July 2010 and its done exactly 6099 miles since.
Hey Clive long time no see (probably because I\'ve only done 6000 miles in two years!) yeah guess ill wizz it down the local garage when I get a chance.