Gilbertd wrote:
As the coolant passages run at each end of the heads, the usual head gasket symptoms don't usually happen so you won't see oil and coolant mixing, although you might see steam out of the exhaust.
Take the spark plugs out and if any look steam cleaned compared with the others, there may be a weep around the outside of the line on that cylinder. If when started from cold it initially fires up on 7 with the last one chiming in after a few seconds, that again would suggest a slight weep on one cylinder. The cooling system will pressurise when hot but if that pressure disappears once it has cooled down, then there isn't a weep. The top hose will get hard when it is hot but if it is then left overnight and there is no pressure there, you're OK.
There's lots of places where coolant can leak from, heater core O rings, the multiple hose joints, etc, so losing coolant is more often leaking rather than anything else.
Thanks Sir ! , yes all good info ..to be fair to the previous owner who i know, he left dash sides off to check on the o rings for a while , which remain sound to date ! ...there was dampness on the drivers side carpet well, which was isolated to a ruptured sunroof drain pipe..since rectified . The issue of original o rings being too big does concern me though ? The chap who replaced the o rings did a fairly neat job core drilling through the plastic housing to access the o rings sufficiently to remove and refit properly.
I have a invoice in the file for new hevac o rings being replaced 10k miles ago
Yes, Thanks for that info...she seems to fire in regular prompt fashion, although i get a missfire when under load when warm, which i though was a different issue , I'm replacing the HT leads and plugs next week , along with a new set of airbags and suspension bushes. both these were flagged up as perished by a . I'll check on the old plugs for steam cleansing ! and make a note of cylinder/s.
FYI, she is drinking coolant only, about a pint every 50 miles at low revs, temp guage normal, no creamy oil. steam showing via exhaust in cold climate.
Thanks Gilbertd ! I'll give that a go ! and thanks all for your kind welcome.
PS: She needs two new head gaskets or maybe liner/s , which I Have been reading all the helpful narrative and observations on the Forum/s . Does anybody know the best garage to head to for the diagnostic and repairs in the Lancaster / North west region ?
Gilbertd wrote:
Welcome. If the contacts on the switches inside the stalk get dirty, no matter how much you poke the sliding button, nothing happens. You can undo the 3 small Torx screws from the back and get in there with contact cleaner.
If that is all you have to worry about though you're doing well.....
Hello, All,
I've recently taken ownership of a 2002 P38, 4.6 Vogue, 59,000 mls in very good nick really.
Just getting my head round the inherent faults and and cosmetic aspects, so I will be picking your brains as we go along , Sorry !
One emmediate issue is the dashboard lights appear very dim and the rheostat on the stalk? does not seem to improve things.
Can you help anybody , Cheers , Lez