Champagne Test

[boyrotor]

Will it be ok short term? The car is running perfect!!

So long as it doesnt over heat it wont really do anything. Keep an eye on coolant level.

[nikp]

I found mine difficult to keep cool after a while. Even travelling at 70mph on a motorway, i would find the temps going up! Rather than remaining constant.

[onelastpost]

UPDATE!

I am really paranoid about this car, and treat it very well.

I have taken it to a Rotary Specialist today (who will remain anon for the time being!!) who is not overly concerned about my symptoms - however he has given me a few things to look out for over the next few days.

WHITE SMOKE
He reckons this isnt too severe for a cold start in this weather

CHAMPAGNE TEST
He did confirm that this is not \'normal\' but that I may have trapped air in the system. Going to have it flushed to check.

COOLANT LEVELS
Got to keep an eye on how much coolant it is using after a run.

I am lucky in a way, I have a warranty with this car that will cover a rebuild, however the engine is a second hand engine with a guaranteed 20k on it that was only put in about 1500kms ago - strange?

If we can diagnose the problem soon, he could have it stripped and rebuilt within 3 weeks, however if we cant diagnose the problem in the next few weeks he is booked up until April!

[onelastpost]

deffo the coolant seals bud, feel for you m8..

I am with you 99.99% !!

[iaint]

UPDATE!

I am really paranoid about this car, and treat it very well.

I have taken it to a Rotary Specialist today (who will remain anon for the time being!!) who is not overly concerned about my symptoms - however he has given me a few things to look out for over the next few days.

WHITE SMOKE
He reckons this isnt too severe for a cold start in this weather

CHAMPAGNE TEST
He did confirm that this is not \'normal\' but that I may have trapped air in the system. Going to have it flushed to check.

COOLANT LEVELS
Got to keep an eye on how much coolant it is using after a run.

I am lucky in a way, I have a warranty with this car that will cover a rebuild, however the engine is a second hand engine with a guaranteed 20k on it that was only put in about 1500kms ago - strange?

If we can diagnose the problem soon, he could have it stripped and rebuilt within 3 weeks, however if we cant diagnose the problem in the next few weeks he is booked up until April!

Pip\'s busy then?

[AndyGen3]

What does it mean if the coolant drops but then comes back up again?

Mine drops and the add coolant buzzer goes off... When she warms up abit it stops.... Ive never put any water in her.. topped her up like..

But since the mornings are gettin colder its started to happen at a lower temp... But then again the car never goes over 76 degrees while driving?!?!?!?!

I love rotaries!!! :Thumbs-up

[nikp]

What does it mean if the coolant drops but then comes back up again?

Mine drops and the add coolant buzzer goes off... When she warms up abit it stops.... Ive never put any water in her.. topped her up like..

But since the mornings are gettin colder its started to happen at a lower temp... But then again the car never goes over 76 degrees while driving?!?!?!?!

I love rotaries!!! :Thumbs-up

Sounds like you\'re losing coolant slowly. If the coolant buzzer sounds when it\'s relatively cold it\'s because the level has dropped, but then when the buzzer stops when the coolant has warmed up a bit, it\'s because the coolant has expanded due to the heat (Normal). But, you say you\'re needing to top it up a bit - that basically means you\'re losing coolant. You could be lucky in that there\'s an air lock in the system somewhere.

[AndyGen3]

Well ive only topped it up once... Since i bought it last december!!!!

Its got an Ikeya V Mount kit which holds 8.5L more coolant... Might be an air lock... Not too worried anyway... It bin doin it since day1!!

Sounds like you\'re losing coolant slowly. If the coolant buzzer sounds when it\'s relatively cold it\'s because the level has dropped, but then when the buzzer stops when the coolant has warmed up a bit, it\'s because the coolant has expanded due to the heat (Normal). But, you say you\'re needing to top it up a bit - that basically means you\'re losing coolant. You could be lucky in that there\'s an air lock in the system somewhere.

[MillSpeed]

^^^Never run a rotary short of water, regularly check the coolant level in the filler neck by the alternator (when cold), and top up as necessary.

[Cally]

What level should the water be at though?

Also in my opinion that isnt a terrible ammount of smoke when starting in cold at this time of year, as any car started on a cold morning produces lots of white smoke. (like when you breathe out)

[iaint]

What level should the water be at though?

Also in my opinion that isnt a terrible ammount of smoke when starting in cold at this time of year, as any car started on a cold morning produces lots of white smoke. (like when you breathe out)

It varies slightly but mine sits right at the top of the filler neck at all times!

[iaint]

What level should the water be at though?

Also in my opinion that isnt a terrible ammount of smoke when starting in cold at this time of year, as any car started on a cold morning produces lots of white smoke. (like when you breathe out)

It varies slightly from car to car but mine sits right at the top of the filler neck at all times!

[Grizzly]

So long as it doesnt over heat it wont really do anything. Keep an eye on coolant level.

DO NOT... Run an Fd with a Coolant problem

Overheating the Motor will kill any salvagable Plates/Housings posably also the rad/Heater matrix (you don\'t want to Change one of those) don\'t forget the Engine is Presurizing the system (thats whats Causing the Symptoms)

[Grizzly]

Mine startes from Cold with the water level 10mm from the top of the Neck then slowly Rises until i turn it off and Put the cap back on. There is no Bubbles.

If you run it with the cap on does it....

Make all the Coolant pipes Hard very quickly after Starting

Loose Coolant so the Buzzer goes off

Fill the Overflow tank (Drivers side Ft Iner wing)

If yes then its a Engine rebuild i\'m Afraid and i would say DON\'t Drive it until its been Checked by some one int the Know and OK\'d

But Check there is No Water marks down the Front of the engine (coming from the Water Pump area (Pump Drain holes) a bad Pump seal canb give the same Symptoms but Don\'t hold your Breath becouse you have alot of Bubbles there and it would have to be a Major Pump Problem, But also saying that if the Caps have failed and its Drawing air into the System that may give those symptoms too so a pair of New caps may not be a bad idea.

Also With the cap off (cold oviously) start the car and smell the Bubbles, does it smell of Fuel or Exhaust gasses?

[Cally]

Fill the Overflow tank (Drivers side Ft Iner wing)

If yes then its a Engine rebuild

Shouldnt this have water in it? I was always under the impression that it should be half way to full on the dip-stick indicator?!?!?:xconfused