i just blanked the manifold and expansion tank and deleted the whole lot. Thats on a GEMS though.
But with it blanked, there's no path back to the header tank for any air trapped in the inlet manifold. Think about it, that's one of the highest points in the cooling system so air is going to sit there. Anything trapped in the heater hoses will get pushed through by the water pump and end up in the header, any in the radiator will do the same through the bleed hose but any in the top of the engine has nowhere to go.
Ran the hose from the top the block to the reservoir close to the same path as the original plastic line ran. No leaks- quick bleed. Now we will see if that was the source of my very slow coolant reduction in the reservoir.
Every 100 miles the level goes just below the fill line. I am not going to add and see if it keeps going down. Cannot find any orange traces at any of the remaining connections or by the water pump. Had read that some P38 run normally below the fill line-- but this makes no sense at all unless you are losing coolant somewhere.
If no traces then I am going to assume that I have a light gasket leak somewhere I cannot see the drips-- like under the center gasket which would be nasty if that can actually happen.
Step by step---- by step by step by step by step-----
Did anyone manage to find a source of the hose in the UK other than ASH (Autosiliconehoses, who have been out of stock every time I've tried to order any and have refunded my order again today as whilst they have the size on eBay, they don't have any stock apparently!). Mine has decided its time to split company, so is currently bodged with a chunk of fuel hose where it should be as nothing else would fit that I had yesterday afternoon.
Found this place, http://www.silex.co.uk/shop/silicone-braided-hose/silicone-braided-hose-70%C2%B0-shore-red-outer/c-24/c-77/p-699. Not sure if it's the same hose or if they have it in stock, but it's an alternative to ASH.
Cheers, I've got a couple of queries from eBay listings to see whats available, but thats useful as a backup.
Gilbertd wrote:
But with it blanked, there's no path back to the header tank for any air trapped in the inlet manifold. Think about it, that's one of the highest points in the cooling system so air is going to sit there. Anything trapped in the heater hoses will get pushed through by the water pump and end up in the header, any in the radiator will do the same through the bleed hose but any in the top of the engine has nowhere to go.
I did think of that, but figured i'd try it and see, and its been fine. The port comes off the manifold in the main coolant channel from the cylinder head so its unlikely air will get stuck there, it'll just get pushed thru into the radiator which then has its own air bleed to the header tank. The main radiator outlet is also at a pretty similar height anyway.
If you were really worried about bleeding, you could simply pop the blanking pipe off and let the air out.