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p3man451
Posts: 7
Joined: Thu Jul 07, 2016 2:14 pm

Returning to Forum

Post by p3man451 » Thu Jul 07, 2016 4:25 pm

Hi all, I was a forum member some time ago, but couldn't ( not savvy enough to ) retrieve my password etc, so rejoined as p3man451 - I have a 1948 Export P3 4 light " 75 " . I reside in the frozen wastelands known to it's occupants as County Durham. Done 10 miles ( when it was very evident that all was not well in the cooling dept.) in the last 7 years - guess I've too many other interests. Headlining needs replacing and she ( Daisy ) probably needs a recored rad. I'm determined to have this car out of the garage this " Summer " and have already removed both inspection plates on the inlet side to verify what others have said about sludge. Upon removal, I had a scrape at what I thought was the bottom of the water jacket, but it looked too high , according to the sectioned drawing in RSR Workshop Manual. The screwdriver, much to my initial horror, went through this apparently solid floor ! Quite how this crust had formed is anybody's guess, but once removed and the sludge below it, I reckon I improved coolant capacity by 3 pints. Interesting to find some of the original casting sand in there too.
Next job is to attempt to loosen the crud build up in rad --any help on this would be fully appreciated. Some say caustic soda, others citric acid to leave in rad overnight.
I suppose I'm putting off the inevitable costly recore in hoping all will be well when I try it without a 'stat in the system. I'll be using seived rainwater for rad. Has anyone heard of "waterless coolant " and if so, has it worked and are there any drawbacks ?
Will post a pic of car when I work out how to do that. Best Regards, Alan

bill heywood
Posts: 6
Joined: Sat Dec 03, 2011 7:41 pm

Re: Returning to Forum

Post by bill heywood » Fri Jul 08, 2016 8:12 pm

I used a dishwasher tablet, left in the radiator overnight and it was amazing the amount of crud that came out, it is worth a try before having the radiator re-cored

Chris C
Posts: 106
Joined: Sat Mar 31, 2012 11:59 am
Location: Brackley, Northamptonshire. UK

Re: Returning to Forum

Post by Chris C » Fri Jul 08, 2016 8:19 pm

Not advisable to run engine with thermostat removed, as the "stat" is a By-pass type and the cooling system will not run correctly with it removed.
By-pass thermostats are readily available from good car accessory shops or even on Ebay or try Meteor Spares in Nottingham. They have 2 x circular
plates which raise and lower according to engine temp. One plate shuts off the by-pass circuit, once the engine is up to temp and then opens the
main coolant circuit.

Suggest if you want to look at bypass system, put "bypass thermostat" into Google images

Concerning sludge in the Rad, you can use caustic soda to dissolve the sludge. If you remove the radiator, be careful of the bottom hose connection,
as you can easily snap it off, also the drain tap under the Rad can easily be broken off as well. But if you remove it, you can try and back flush it, or
take it to a local RAD repair specialist
Chris Cartmell - DVLA Liaison Officer
Rover Sport Register

1939 - Rover 14 Saloon (P2)
1975 - Rover 2200 Saloon (P6)

p3man451
Posts: 7
Joined: Thu Jul 07, 2016 2:14 pm

Re: Returning to Forum

Post by p3man451 » Fri Jul 08, 2016 8:51 pm

Thanks Chris and Bill. Do you know what concentration the caustic soda should be ? The stat I took out when car was overheating was marked 88 degrees, so I got one from Mike Evans ( Viking )marked 74 and intend to put that in after trying your suggestions. Most grateful for help. Saw a blue P3 swiftly moving South on our bit of A19 this morning , which immediately wetted my appetite to get this car out in the "sun". If there is an owner in my area who can recommend a Rad Specialist ,I would be delighted to hear from him/her. Cheers, Alan

Chris C
Posts: 106
Joined: Sat Mar 31, 2012 11:59 am
Location: Brackley, Northamptonshire. UK

Re: Returning to Forum

Post by Chris C » Sun Jul 10, 2016 10:57 am

Have a look at this link, it talks about Caustic Soda or dishwasher tabs

http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/forum/ph ... 0d3addd743

Hope this helps
Chris Cartmell - DVLA Liaison Officer
Rover Sport Register

1939 - Rover 14 Saloon (P2)
1975 - Rover 2200 Saloon (P6)

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