Author |
Topic: Cossie Radiator Damage (Read 341 times) |
|
fillippe
Newbie
Ultima Cossie
 
Posts: 39
|
 |
Cossie Radiator Damage
« on: Jul 3rd, 2006, 10:09pm » |
 Quote  Modify
|
Hi all
Not contributed much I'm afraid but I suppose it's because I've had trouble free motoring until this year.
I think I may have met the ballooning over pressure radiator syndrome and had some bull***t from less knowledgeable service reception staff(not that they are to blame). So if I may I'll ask for your thoughts.
Radiator started leaking early this year.
Took for pressure test at nearest, most convenient garage(not ford dealer). They correctly diagnosed the problem and fitted a replacement rad which according to the connections seems to be the right one.
About a month later coolant leak re-occurred which I put up with for too long and eventually set about looking for referencing the excellent knowledge base of this site.
No leak in cylinder head V, no oil cooler leaks. So i took floor pan off and low and behold radiator leaking down one side.
I observed at this point that the radiator seemed to have some plastic construction of some sort as there was white plastic mainly visible from below. I thought this odd but also thought that I would go back to the garage and request a warranty replacement.
Unfortunately I had to get a tow because the day before the appointment the leak became a torrent.
The garage duly did some work which I did not understand from their explanation but I will relate what I heard. They did not charge me but told me that gloom and despondency was the only appropriate emotion as they were sure, and their radiator supplier also, that these scorpio cossies always had head casket problems that blew radiators. This would not be a viable repair considering the value of the car.
The work they have done apparently is to put the radiator back together because it had merely torn open a seam. They did not think that their radiator supplier would reimburse them for a new radiator as they were sure that it was the head gasket.
I hasten to add that there are no other signs of head gasket problems.
I feel that I should not tax the poor garage any more and should replace the inline thermostat myself as your site so wisely explains is the correct plan of action.
However I suspect I might be wise to consider replacing this patched up radiator as well.
Any comments, esp on the plastic radiator, are my eyes deceiving me?
Phil Button
Ultima 2.9 24V 1995
Lovely car!
|
|
 IP Logged |
Pearlescent Dark Aubergine Saloon
|
|
|
howiedintheplace
Senior Member
Based near Evesham
Posts: 1194
|
|
Re: Cossie Radiator Damage
« Reply #1 on: Jul 3rd, 2006, 10:21pm » |
Quote Modify
|
You should speak to Baz he is a expert on this problem 
But yeah this is a very common problem for the 24V.
Lots of people have ideas about it.
Basically the Mk3 24V does not have this problem, cosworth in their wisdom redesigned the cooling system but the heads & gaskets are almost identical. Block water ways are unchanged.
The problem is in what they changed, water pump, thermostat , radiator & pipe layout.
One of them is problomatic but which it is is open for debate.
My money is on weak radiator's 
|
|
IP Logged |
Dave
|
|
|
martin_rowe
Full Member
I love YaBB 1G - SP1!
Posts: 879
|
|
Re: Cossie Radiator Damage
« Reply #2 on: Jul 4th, 2006, 8:30am » |
Quote Modify
|
how about putting a couple of steel packing bands round the b****rs befor fitting. 
|
|
IP Logged |
Rally Drivers Do It Sideways
|
|
|
manscorpio
Newbie
I'm a YaBB newbie!
Posts: 28
|
|
Re: Cossie Radiator Damage
« Reply #3 on: Jul 4th, 2006, 9:51pm » |
Quote Modify
|
Probably too late to be of any value to you, however my personal suspicion is that the balloning is caused by blockage of the flow of water in the radiator. The internal waterways are extremely thin and if there is any accretion of impurities in the water they build up internally over a period of time. My radiator balloned last year and eventually burst. Had radiator rebuilt using a core with larger channels and higher quality. Replaced thermostat at same time, but old one seemed to work fine when subsequently tested. My car is 1996 24 Valve with c. 110,000 miles and the radiator that blew was the original. Note this my SUSPICION and clearly as yet not proven !
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
howiedintheplace
Senior Member
Based near Evesham
Posts: 1194
|
|
Re: Cossie Radiator Damage
« Reply #4 on: Jul 4th, 2006, 10:17pm » |
Quote Modify
|
Yeah why keep using the 24V rad if you keep having problems.
Just fit a 12V or diesel one & change the plumbing to suit.
The old MK3 24V shared it's rad with the diesel
|
|
IP Logged |
Dave
|
|
|
|
Home
Help
Search
Members
Login
Reply
Send Topic
Print