Overheated! 🙁

[Slaya]

Originally Posted by SD1too

Darren,

I suggest that this is the cause of all your problems. No wonder your engine is overheating and losing coolant.

If you have a 3 speed fan, buy and fit a new set of motor brushes. If you have a 2 speed fan, replace the silver resistor with a gold type.

There really is no need for any further heartache.

Simon

Thanks Simon - I didn't think losing the low speed was a big issue. My last ZT never had a working low speed fan, and I never had to top up even once in 5 years between services.

I'll look into brush replacements and have a word with Lates on Saturday when the car goes in for a look.

This happened to me a short while ago. Suspected thermostat and booked it into garage, But it turned out to be the water pump, although no sign of coolant leak at home, there was a pool of coolant at the garage. It was pouring from the hole in the water pump bearing. when pump was removed there was no obvious sign of damage.
Changed water pump now ok.
Terry

The water pump was looked at a few months ago and was deemed to be ok as it was relatively new - but I don't have any faith in new bits these days, so it could now be leaking...

I'm hoping to get out and remove the under tray to see if I can actually see where the leak is coming from - would be nice if it was just the water pump, I'd get it in for a belt change at same time.

[Slaya]

Another session under the car, this time with the under tray pulled down and lying in wait for the drips to start.


Saw a drip on drivers side after about 10mins, then nothing for a bit, then another couple, and then a stream.


Grabbed my phone to use as a torch and think I have found the problem:






Looks like a nice little split in the pipe from the oil cooler. Now to find where to buy this and work out where it goes!

[Sheraton]

not so bad when you can locate the source - and it seems an easy enough fix.

remember to heed Simon's advice r.e fixing the Fan



Paul.

[SD1too]

Originally Posted by Slaya

... lying in wait for the drips to start ...
Grabbed my phone to use as a torch and think I have found the problem:
... Looks like a nice little split in the pipe from the oil cooler.

Excellent diagnostic work Darren!

Originally Posted by Slaya

Thanks Simon - I didn't think losing the low speed was a big issue.

Maybe you've been reading too many threads about the diesel engine!

For your KV6, let's put it this way. Without it, your coolant will rise to 112 degrees C before any fan assistance is activated. Do you think that's a reasonable temperature for your engine to operate at? What if it's a hot day and you're stuck in traffic with the air conditioning on? With your 3 speed system, the earth brush usually fails first which disables the medium speed as well, so you have only the fast speed left. But it won't run fast because that requires all 4 brushes to be operational; it will most likely run at medium speed (two supply brushes and one earth). So in plain terms, you will have a very hot engine and a cooling ability below the standard set by MG Rover. That's a recipe for trouble.

Simon

[Terryf]

Originally Posted by Slaya

Thanks Simon - I didn't think losing the low speed was a big issue. My last ZT never had a working low speed fan, and I never had to top up even once in 5 years between services.

I'll look into brush replacements and have a word with Lates on Saturday when the car goes in for a look.

The water pump was looked at a few months ago and was deemed to be ok as it was relatively new - but I don't have any faith in new bits these days, so it could now be leaking...

I'm hoping to get out and remove the under tray to see if I can actually see where the leak is coming from - would be nice if it was just the water pump, I'd get it in for a belt change at same time.

My pump was only 13 month on the car.

[Slaya]

For your KV6, let's put it this way. Without it, your coolant will rise to 112 degrees C before any fan assistance is activated. Do you think that's a reasonable temperature for your engine to operate at? What if it's a hot day and you're stuck in traffic with the air conditioning on? With your 3 speed system, the earth brush usually fails first which disables the medium speed as well, so you have only the fast speed left. But it won't run fast because that requires all 4 brushes to be operational; it will most likely run at medium speed (two supply brushes and one earth). So in plain terms, you will have a very hot engine and a cooling ability below the standard set by MG Rover. That's a recipe for trouble.

Simon

Thanks Simon - New brushes ordered, will see if I can fix it myself.....what can go wrong!

[Slaya]

I had a go at fitting the new water pipes to the oil cooler today - bit of a faff with lack of room to contend with around the pipes, but after much rain dodging, bloodshed and swearing they are on and no more leaking...so far.


Fan repair/replacement next...