New Engine Overheating

[wearethedarlingtons]

I'm new to the forum, so hi!

I'm wondering if anyone can shed some light. We have just done an engine conversion, because the old one died! The new engine is in and working, however it will only take about 5L of coolant mix, when i think they need about 8? The car runs, but obviously the engine will just overheat. We have checked the water pump, head gasket and all the hoses are in the right places. We took it to the local garage and these were the things he checked too!? The heaters also aren't working, and he mentioned this would suggest it's not a head gasket or a cracked engine head issue? His next option was to take it to a specialist. Just wondering if anyone has come across this before?

Thanks, Dan

[bigjeeze]

Sounds like an air lock.  You could also check that the run on pump is working.

[Chrispb]

 

The small tube that fits to the top of the water bottle has plastic restrictor inside the tube, this is to bleed air out of the system, check this is not blocked.

If the car has previously overheated or the system is rusty inside this may be the cause, normally the system is self bleeding leaving the cap off until circulated, it's better if the cars facing uphill when you do this.

Essentially the auxiliary water pump (run on pump) needs to be working to circulate coolant through the rear heater and booster heater.

[Somerset Steve]

Hi ChrisPB

I have been looking at the vehicle that wearethedarlingtons have and yes the run on pump is not working.  That is to say that it was not working and whilst trying to disconnect the pipes I had left the ignition on and when I held the pump my hand was near to the wires and it sprang into life.

I stopped trying to remove the pipes and paid attention to the wiring and noticed that if I put pressure on to the connection it worked if I stopped it stopped.  So thinking this is a simple bad connection that can be remedied fairly easily I removed the connection and had a look at the plug part and the connections seem tight enough.  Replaced the plug back on the pump turned on the ignition and nothing.  Turned the ignition off and it sparks into life for a few minutes as it should do.  Decided to check the plug for power with a meter, sure enough ignition on = no power ignition of - power for a couple of minutes.

I have checked the fuses and all seems in order so I am not too sure where to go next to find out why there is no power to the plug at ignition on.

Any ideas would be welcome.

Thanks

[Chrispb]

You will find that the carbon brushes have worn to a point where there not connecting.
Have a look in our reference library for more info.

[Mirez]

When you turn the ignition on the pump receives power only after a short delay (around 20/30 seconds)

[wearethedarlingtons]

Cheers for the help guys, looks like we might be on to something!