348 Help Needed

I would start by getting a new cap. Then refill and bleed the cooling system. When you bleed the air out of the system do it with the heater turned on and to the hottest setting. You don't need the fan running, just the temperature set to the hottest.

After you've bled the system, and when the car is first warming up in the morning, watch the temp gage. What you are looking for is when the thermostat first opens. The car will get up to 195ºF and then the thermostat should open. When it does you will see the temp on the gage drop. If it doesn't drop at all then you could have a bad thermostat, and I would look into replacing it.

 

ahhhh.....Yes I think so...

Regards, Jim

 

Ernie, as usual your advice is priceless

 

Thanks Mikey.

 

That, and the cooling system not being properly bled, which is why I suggested bleeding it. But you definitely need a new cap.

As for the t-stat. I had one break on me several years ago. The bracket on the t-stat came off then found it's way into the top of one of the radiators. That caused the thermostat to not close completely, and the result was the car running a bit hot. SO that is why you need to keep an eye on the temp gage when the car is first warming up. That will let you know if your t-stat is functioning as it should.

 

I had the exact same problem

sporadic temperature spikes, coolant leaking from the overflow pipe..


Got a new cap from Ricambi, problem solved.


Kai

 

Don't mention it

 

Nope.........

 

Well that sucks.

Try sourcing a good used one.

 

Try buying a gas cap...



Kai

 

Ouch

 

Is it possible to have repaired?


Best regards, Jim

 

So it was leaking from the overflow hose..................AND the radiator??

Take the radiator to a local radiator specialist and they should be able to repair it for you.

 

Where abouts are you? We can get a rebuild rad done here in suffolk, but then so can plenty of other radiators specialists. I also have a rebuilt 348 rad left hand side if i remember rightly. pm me if interested.

 

This is a common sense question. Just look at that cap. It is a rusty mess, and probably a pretty good indicator of the condition of the rest of the cooling system. New cap and flush the system at a minimum.

btw, the expansion tank on all 348s are on the right.

since the radiator is leaking...... remember, you have 2, and judging by the condition of that cap, the car has been neglected. I am sure that there are shops that can recore the radiators. Hell, you are in the UK, there is a cottage industry for everything!

 

Hi John,

Sorry to see your still having problems with the car, give this company below a call.

Radtec Racing radiators, Hawks Green Lane, Cannock, Staffordshire, WS11 7LH.
E-mail: [email protected], tel No: 01543 502525.

Regards,
Phil.

 

John,

Looking at those pics, I would look at taking the other rad off as well to check its condition?? I would also look at changing all the water hoses to Silicone and check the condition of the header tank as well, after seeing how bad the cap was!! Also look at changing the thermostat as well.

It would be a good idea to reverse flush the engine block as well to clean out any rubbish in there!!

Good luck.

Regards,
Phil.

 

You need one of these, nicely recored and all shiny new looking! I did find I needed to do both sides.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

What Andrew said...

Mike

 

Dang it.