308 GTSi cooling problem

Spewing out where? The expansion tank? Check the rad cap and it's fitting. Something isn't seating due to improper assembly, or damage to either or both components... Or there's the substitution of a non-OEM cap that is spec'd at a lower pressure.

Also, make sure that the cooling system has been properly bled of air.

 

How is the header tank? They rust along the seams as they get older and can have sneaky leaks like you describe. Ask me how I know...

 

you are probably talking about "spewing coolant" out the overflow hose...
if this is the case - and everything else ist o.k. as you describe -
you have to properly bleed the system...and you`re good to go

 

better get a 1.1 bar cap...
pressure elevates the boiling point of water

 

Follow my bleeding procedure:

http://www.birdmanferrari.com/service/coolant/coolant_bleed.htm

 

Don't fill the tank completely full once you have made sure that all the air has been bled from the system. I only fill to the seam on the side of the tank, about 2" down from the neck. Clean the area in the tank were the rubber seal on the cap contacts with a scotchbrite pad until iti is clean and shiny. Install a known good cap, I always pressure test the cap before installation to make sure that it is good to go. A 0.9 Bar cap is fine, but I suppose you could install a 1.1 bar if so desired.
If you overfill the expansion tank, to the bottom of the neck, when the car reaches operating temp, normal expansion will push out the excess coolant, sort of self-adjusting the level to suite. I usually overfiil the system, before I bleed the air out, and it ands up being just about right after bleeding.

Brian Brown
Patrick Ottis Co.

 

+1, get the later cap, but most importantly, the proper level is 6cm from the top on the inside of the filler neck when cold. Even making it that full, it may spit or spew a bit when hot....just let it, and it will find it's equilibrium and stop...then measure the level when cold, and that is where you should keep it from them on.

Don't get to wrapped up that it won't maintain the proper level of 6cm below the filler neck...it will be fine once it finds the level it likes.

 

Rizzo, I have a 308carb and experience the same, I think like everyone else says above it's probably normal - coolant expansion/coolant coming from overflow/finds own level etc.

Birdman - I do have a question for you though. When you follow your bleeding procedure to the letter, is that it then fixed? Done and dusted as it were? Regardless of how diligent I am, every time I run the car (ie. every fortnight or so) I have more air in the radiator and rebleed the car.

 

My General Theory:-

After bleeding (birdman's way), there is in theory no air in the system.

Except --- there is a water/air level in the header tank.

Car is run up to temperature, and this volume of air becomes dissolved in the water, circulating round the cooling system. If car was overfilled, an amount of coolant may come out of the overflow whilst you race around.

When the car is stopped, and cools, air comes out of solution all round the cooling system; including in the low pipes feeding the radiator and in the radiator itself. This finds it's highest available level in the top of the radiator, pushing with water back to the header tank.

Hence an additional volume of water will come out of the header tank overflow each time.



Just my idea to explain what happens, but I'd be very interested to hear your thoughts!

Steven (Scotland)