It all started with coolant loss!

Mike1708 · 9th September 2012, 13:31

Hi
Long time member and recent subscriber here. The story so far...

I recently purchased a ZT-T 190 (04 and 46000mls). Almost immediately I noticed that she was losing coolant. I had a look but nothing to see until I looked at the bottom of the V and saw the telltale river Nile!!.
Ok...so thermostat change. All done and no leak..Simples...or so I thought.

Now though, coolant is spitting out from the ex/tank, the idle speed is very very high at about 1500 when hot. Steam comes from the exhaust and the engine seems very noisy although no rattles etc...

I have cleaned the idle valve (on top of the throttle body) being careful not to move the plunger as I cleaned it!! and checked breather pipes etc... and all of that appears fine.

Could it be that the coolant is spitting out under pressure from the ex/tank because I had set the coolant level too high?
Could the exceptionally high tick-over be because when I replaced the inlet manifold gaskets, one of them was not a genuine MG/Rover one but one I was told would do the job? I am almost convinced that this might be the case because its the only thing that didn't ''go back as it came off'' so to speak.

The one thing that confuses me though is the escaping of steam/vapour from the exhaust. It isn't cold weather, in which case one might expect to see steam, like on a cold Winter morning. But at night time I can see the steam. If it were a HGF surely I would expect to see Mayo in the oil filler cap and dipstick? There is none!

Any help as usual much appreciated guys.
Just to say that I subscribed to this amazing site this morning having been a non paid up member for quite a while.

Image of my new beast attached for interest...need to get the Apex's refurbed too.

STUBIE · 9th September 2012, 13:49

Definitely know that a high idle on a a previous V6 was caused by non mgr inlet manifold gaskets which were fitted when the Head gasket was done.

The over pressure may be an airlock. There's some info in doing a coolant fill with out vacuum on the forum.

Stubs

James.uk · 9th September 2012, 14:01

It could be due to being overfilled.. But my moneys on a leaking head gasket...

...

Mike1708 · 9th September 2012, 17:04

Hi
Thanks yes, that's the way i'm inclined to go. Ill replace with a gen part tomorrow. It will be good to see if this also deals with the steam from exhaust issue.

mike1708

Bolin · 9th September 2012, 18:13

I'd think that the steam in the exhaust perhaps is due to coolant getting into the inlet valves, leaking across the inlet manifold gasket.

kaiser · 9th September 2012, 18:18

Inlet gaskets can leak. Water can find its way into the two outer cylinders on each bank and get burned off. You can see that in the exhaust.

The high idle I don't associate with that. I would rather check the fitting of the accelerator cable, it might be too tight.

Check the water level often until you get an idea of what is going on. If you fill over the MAX mark, it will spit that out. Check only when cold!

Don't assume the new thermostat is water tight, check.

Check under the oil filler cap. Hot engine and it should be dry, is it?

Mike1708 · 9th September 2012, 18:35

Hi
Thanks for all the info...
The throttle cable has a little play in it before taking up the strain yes.
I'd read about the lower than normal coolant level so will keep a close eye on it thanks. I meant lower level than in the good old days!

The bottom of the V is dry and i've run the car a few times since doing the job so assume all is well there, but will never the less keep an eye on things.

I will run the engine tonight and check the filler cap. I'll come back to you with my findings.

Mike 1708.

Mike1708 · 9th September 2012, 18:38

By the way Kaiser
I dont know if you recall, but you helped me a lot with the timing belt job I did on my old red saloon. Was easy enough without the locking tools with your help. Cheers mate.
I sold the car and it's now scaring everyone with its twin pipes over in Ireland!

Mike

kaiser · 9th September 2012, 18:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike1708

By the way Kaiser
I dont know if you recall, but you helped me a lot with the timing belt job I did on my old red saloon. Was easy enough without the locking tools with your help. Cheers mate.
I sold the car and it's now scaring everyone with its twin pipes over in Ireland!

Mike

No, I didn't know it was you. Glad to see you here. Glad it worked out.

Mike1708 · 11th September 2012, 15:45

Hi Kaiser et al....

Job done..all back together...no leaks...idle speed spot on 650rpm with hot engine.
It was all down to the Inlet manifold gasket on the rear bank.

By the way, when doing the job I noticed that there is a lot of bodged sealer on the black manifold. I guess a previous owner has done the butterfly strip out mod. If so, I dont notice much improvement in torque etc... I might tidy the job up one day.

Mike

9th September 2012, 13:49	#2
STUBIE This is my second home Back in a Rover Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Peterborough Posts: 4,926 Thanks: 131 Thanked 357 Times in 261 Posts	Definitely know that a high idle on a a previous V6 was caused by non mgr inlet manifold gaskets which were fitted when the Head gasket was done. The over pressure may be an airlock. There's some info in doing a coolant fill with out vacuum on the forum. Stubs

9th September 2012, 14:01	#3
James.uk Passed Away 2002 Pale Blue. Rover 75 CDTi Connoisseur auto. 170K miles Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Near the M67. Posts: 14,509 Thanks: 199 Thanked 585 Times in 397 Posts	It could be due to being overfilled.. But my moneys on a leaking head gasket... ...

9th September 2012, 17:04	#4
Mike1708 Regular poster MG ZT-T 190SE Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Kilmarnock Posts: 45 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Hi Thanks yes, that's the way i'm inclined to go. Ill replace with a gen part tomorrow. It will be good to see if this also deals with the steam from exhaust issue. mike1708

9th September 2012, 18:13	#5
Bolin This is my second home Rover 75 2.5 V6 Connoisseur SE 4dr manual Wedgewood Blue 2 04-05/06/2001 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: N.E. Hampshire Posts: 4,617 Thanks: 289 Thanked 308 Times in 243 Posts	I'd think that the steam in the exhaust perhaps is due to coolant getting into the inlet valves, leaking across the inlet manifold gasket.

9th September 2012, 18:18	#6
kaiser This is my second home 75 Tourer 2.5 Auto, 1.8T, 75V8ZT Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Johannesburg ZA Posts: 6,200 Thanks: 1 Thanked 859 Times in 613 Posts	Inlet gaskets can leak. Water can find its way into the two outer cylinders on each bank and get burned off. You can see that in the exhaust. The high idle I don't associate with that. I would rather check the fitting of the accelerator cable, it might be too tight. Check the water level often until you get an idea of what is going on. If you fill over the MAX mark, it will spit that out. Check only when cold! Don't assume the new thermostat is water tight, check. Check under the oil filler cap. Hot engine and it should be dry, is it?

9th September 2012, 18:35	#7
Mike1708 Regular poster MG ZT-T 190SE Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Kilmarnock Posts: 45 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Hi Thanks for all the info... The throttle cable has a little play in it before taking up the strain yes. I'd read about the lower than normal coolant level so will keep a close eye on it thanks. I meant lower level than in the good old days! The bottom of the V is dry and i've run the car a few times since doing the job so assume all is well there, but will never the less keep an eye on things. I will run the engine tonight and check the filler cap. I'll come back to you with my findings. Mike 1708.

9th September 2012, 18:38	#8
Mike1708 Regular poster MG ZT-T 190SE Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Kilmarnock Posts: 45 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	By the way Kaiser I dont know if you recall, but you helped me a lot with the timing belt job I did on my old red saloon. Was easy enough without the locking tools with your help. Cheers mate. I sold the car and it's now scaring everyone with its twin pipes over in Ireland! Mike

11th September 2012, 15:45	#10
Mike1708 Regular poster MG ZT-T 190SE Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Kilmarnock Posts: 45 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Hi Kaiser et al.... Job done..all back together...no leaks...idle speed spot on 650rpm with hot engine. It was all down to the Inlet manifold gasket on the rear bank. By the way, when doing the job I noticed that there is a lot of bodged sealer on the black manifold. I guess a previous owner has done the butterfly strip out mod. If so, I dont notice much improvement in torque etc... I might tidy the job up one day. Mike