Hello to you all. I am the proud owner of a 1978 3C Mk 2 which runs really well, including brakes. but insists on blowing its water out of the radiator overflow after about 15 minutes of use. There is no expansion bottle on the machine which has a Leyland 4/98 engine, also new thermostat and rad cap. The water temperature gauge which appears to work rises to just under mid point in its scale. Any ideas/experience of possible probable cause.
Thank you
JCB 3c2 Water Retention
-
- Moderator
- Posts: 8677
- Joined: Sun Aug 05, 2007 8:36 pm
- Real name: Jeremy Rowland
- Has thanked: 1873 times
- Been thanked: 1692 times
Re: JCB 3c2 Water Retention
Hi and welcome to CMN have you checked that the radiator core is clean and not restricted? Try that first if that is not the problem my best guess would be a blown head gasket.
Jeremy
Jeremy
-
- Posts: 4070
- Joined: Fri Jul 13, 2007 12:43 am
- Real name: essexpete
- Has thanked: 853 times
- Been thanked: 684 times
Re: JCB 3c2 Water Retention
I wonder if this is any good or similar? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BT-3-BLOCK-C ... SwLEtYi8Gi
-
- Posts: 64
- Joined: Wed Jul 07, 2010 10:37 pm
- Real name: Kári Össurarson
- Has thanked: 1 time
- Been thanked: 15 times
- Flag:
- Contact:
Re: JCB 3c2 Water Retention
I´m wondering if you may be overfilling the radiator? These older engines without expansion bottles generally require a bit of air at the top of the radiator, to allow the water to expand. Of course, the water should at least cover the top of the radiator pipes when cold.
--
Regards, Kari.
--
Regards, Kari.
Re: JCB 3c2 Water Retention
Thank you all for your input, I like the idea of not overfilling the rad - cheapest option to try and I don't have a lot of time to lift the head. I have been making sure the rad is topped up to the top before using the machine so that could be it. I will also try and flush the rad and clean the fins but the drain plug is not budging.
Last head gasket I changed was on a Mini in 1968 - seems like yesterday!
Last head gasket I changed was on a Mini in 1968 - seems like yesterday!
Re: JCB 3c2 Water Retention
Used the test kit mentioned by essexpete which showed gasket blown. Used K-seal in the cleaned up radiator and it seems to have cured the problem. Didn't really think liquid sealer would work but it seems to have done the trick and saved hours of work - I hope. Worked using the back hoe for about an hour and all good
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 33 guests