Coolant Gushing Out - help

[HowardRoark]

Hello all,

This issue has happened 3 times now to my 99 Esprit V8 (US).   My tech was checking a small coolant leak, and replaced the header tank, which had a small chip on the cover lip.  He put in new coolant, and once I drive it for 5 miles or so, I park it in my garage, and when it is idling, the coolant comes gushing out of it.   The first couple of times, the tech said it was the head gasket - so he replaced that and took the engine apart ( just a few months and 500 miles ago).    Now this time, it did the same thing after replacing the header tank.     Is there some secret to correctly filling the tank??   What could my tech be missing here?   

Cheers!

[stugilmour]

Matt, did you check that all three fans are correctly cutting in at about 100 degrees on the gauge?  Reach under and insure all three are working. You can do the rad fan check at a safe coolant temperature by turning on the interior fan and air conditioning, which will turn the radiator fans on.

You could try a funnel kit like this one

Lisle SPILL-FREE FUNNEL - 24680

http://www.lislecorp.com/divisions/products/?product=606

http://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/powerfist-spill-free-funnel-kit/A-p8572315e

You can see video's on You Tube on how they work. 

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=lisle+24680+spill-free+funnel

Basically attaches to the header tank cap and allows the coolant to expand without spilling while idling the car.  This will allows any  entrained air to bubble out. With the Esprit plastic header tank you may have to use the rubber gasket in the cap to get the funnel to seal correctly. 

HTH

Stu

 

[HowardRoark]

Hi Stu,

Thanks for the reply.   Yes it does appear that the fans are working.   My tech actually just installed an upgraded aftermarket radiator, after he was convinced that my old OEM radiator was faulty and not cooling properly.  This was during the first couple of coolant gushings before my tech rebuilt the head gasket.    So now, after taking the engine apart, installing a new radiator, and a new header tank, I drive it home and the coolant spills out just like before.  I will ask my tech about doing the Funnel test.   I remember before asking him about the possibility of an air lock, but he said it wasn't possible.    I am thinking that this has to be something pretty basic, as the coolant gushing out has happened 3 times in the same manner.    Has this happened to other owners? 

Cheers

[DaveyT]

Does the V8 benefit from the raised rear end to " burp" the system?

certainly a recommendation for the 4 pot cars, my experience was identical to yours in terms of symptoms, but this simple procedure cure it...

several posts on it on the forum.

[Chillidoggy]

Does the coolant gush from the expansion tank, or the header tank?

[Vanya]

I'd also recommend "burping" the car (raise the rear end up while running to temperature, cabin heaters set to max on "hot"). I think the V8 has two seperate bleed screws - one in the engine bay and one on the side of the radiator...

On the 4-pots it's not uncommon for the temperature gauge to start crawling into the red while running up to temperature after a drain/refill whereupon the coolant all of a sudden sinks like crazy in the header tank and you pour in more per the procedure described for the four cylinder cars. The headers are of course open while running up to temp.

Should be a similar procedure for the V8 no?

[fflyingdog]

When you say gushing out ,where exactly is the fluid coming out of ? You do have the correct coolant tank cap ?

[Mjmech]

I think your header cap is not sealing properly. Pressure test your coolant system with the header cap in place. Cut a tee into the top hose on the header tank and attach the tester there. If the cap doesn't hold 17-20Psi you will boil over.

[stugilmour]

I think Matt went through the header cap issue in a previous thread.

I have found the V8 benefits from raising the rear of the car while running it to get rid of the air.

The V8 has (I think) a further complication with bleeding because of the diverter valve.  The heater core is by passed on one side when the engine is not running.  I think this can trap air in the heater circuit while filling with coolant. and that can be a pain to get rid of.

If you got an aluminium aftermarket radiator it may not have the bleed on it.  Mine didn't.  Makes it harder to get the air out.

I found giving the car a good rip helped.  Then let it fully cool and top it off.  Would usually get mine in about three goes.

Header tank replacement is good.  One of the lines was plugged on mine, and it therefore took longer to purge of air.

Are you 100% sure the line from the header to the overflow expansion tank is clear and sealed?  The level in the expansion tank (in the wheel well) goes up and down about two inches as the car warms and cools?

Stu

[Vanya]

Any news on this? I'm dead curious.....

[HowardRoark]

Hi Vanya, my tech is now taking apart the engine for a full inspection once again, and will be X-raying the block and liners.   I will let you know what they find out.   The tech had many conversations with Lotus USA, and Lotus advised that it could be the coolant getting into the turbos?  Seemed strange but they will investigate.    Cheers.   

[Vanya]

Ah ok. Well I'm hoping it's nothing too serious.