[DaveN]

So there I was, being good on the way to a PCA meeting doing a modest 130 in a 110 zone; after all there was single malt waiting <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/wink.png" class="smilie" alt="" />

I decided that I would pick her up to 200 for a fun burst; just a klik or so. Well you know what happens, one KPH leads to another and before you know it.... Boom, splat. Look over and there is a pinned temp gauge and some blue puffs coming from the rear of the car <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/sad.png" class="smilie" alt="" />

I shut down and puller over only to find coolant everywhere. I hope it's only a burst hose or maybe my 1 year old water pump (as discussed elsewhere) has spun an impeller. I was on my way to my friends who is also my mechanic so the tow truck didn't have much further to take me, so sad.

I must say that I believe in good driving practices, I HATE drivers who don't know the rules of the road or where an apex is <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/wink.png" class="smilie" alt="" /> That being said it did go Boom, Splat as I was passing 260 KPH on my way to ? It was still accelerating.....

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[flash]

bummer. oddly the reservoir still looks full.



side note. looks like somebody is still learning how far out the splitter goes, but it looks like it's still in one piece anyway.

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[DaveN]

LOL. Splitter is actually in a state of repaint. I messed it up at a DE day with rocks chips so I stripped off the temporary black paint I had on it and you are seeing the gel coat and a bit past that. There were a few patches where I had to sand past the coating to get it smooth.

It will be painted properly in July to match the car after I fill the newly created rock chips.



Reservoir did indeed have a full level of fluid while it was sitting there which I thought was strange. We will soon see what the cause was but it appears not to be directly connected to the tank. It was fairly empty after the tow truck ride.

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[flash]

i'm guessing a hose let go

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[mbardeen]

Based on my own recent experience, I'd say you lost one of the hoses that runs to the heater. That would leave a little bit of water in the cooling tank but not enough to keep the engine completely cool.



Just idle internet speculation though.

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[Scott Collins]

Sorry about the leak - very nice engine bay.



Did you check the Heater Control Valve (<acronym title='heater control valve'>HCV</acronym>) or any of the short hoses fore and aft of it? The get a lot of head and can develop hairline cracks. Was anything sprayed on the underside of the hood?

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[DaveN]

I put in a new <acronym title='heater control valve'>HCV</acronym> as part of the winter maintenance. No spray on the hood really, just a spray on the right side behind the overflow tank over to the intake mani. We did find a 1/2 moon 6mm piece of the coolant cap gasket missing so maybe after the system gets pressure tested all that happened was that failure - if I'm lucky. Strange that wouldn't have let go 2 weeks ago on the track as it was redlined all day.

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[Cloud9...68]

I wonder if your missing bolt is somehow behind this <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/ohmy.png" class="smilie" alt="" />



I'm kidding - I think. Actually, that's not funny, as I still haven't figure out where my mystery "extra bolt", which looks to be exactly the same size as yours, goes...

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[DaveN]

Tks for reminding me, I had already forgotten about that bolt! <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/sad.png" class="smilie" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/laugh.png" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[968Syncro]

Hi Dave, sorry to see the leak. I've had this happen 3 times, probably unusual. 1. the blue radiator drain plug just went bad, 2. the lower radiator hose, 3. the <acronym title='heater control valve'>HCV</acronym>. The lower radiator hose got soft and lost its shape and contacted the belt for the power steering pump. Only one of these (the <acronym title='heater control valve'>HCV</acronym>) required a tow. I hope it is something simple and easy to repair.



Roland

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[flash]

probably not the blue plug on this one, since the SC kit comes with a new one, and i installed it myself.



could be the lower hose. it's a bit stretched when installing the SC. an old one could be stressed. the mess looks like it's on the wrong side of the car though.



HCV always a definite possibility, though the mess looks to be on the other side of the car

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[DaveN]

Yea it's all localized to the right rear behind the overflow tank. My mech is going to pressurize the system today hopefully and see if it's just a hose somewhere on that side. Rad cap is definitely toast.

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[flash]

ok - that's left rear, but i understand you're canadian and everything is different there - lol

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[banditsc]

One of the coolant lines to the throttle body?

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[DaveN]

What you talking about eh! <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/laugh.png" class="smilie" alt="" />

It was behind throttle body so all good before that.

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[DaveN]

Well I think I might solve my idle problem the hard ($$$) way. Seems my Widefire head gasket wasn't wide enough. Coolant in cylinder 4 <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/sad.png" class="smilie" alt="" />

Now I need to get an opinion as to replacing it with the same item of finding something better. My friend/mech is suggesting I look at a bit thicker gasket to lower the compression just a touch. What say you Flash / Pete?

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[banditsc]

Has it been torn down enough to check the torque on the head bolts?



I have a cometic in mine, so far no issues, about two years now.

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[flash]

i like the wide fire. so does my builder.



the compression is not a problem. you are nowhere near detonation. in fact, i'm RAISING compression on my new motor. the only thing i can think is that the head was not properly torqued, or he reused the nuts, or something like that.

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[DaveN]

Ok, I'll order the same gasket and check the torque specs. Nothing has been pulled off yet and he is too busy <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/sad.png" class="smilie" alt="" /> Won't be till then end of the month as he's backlogged with P-cars in his driveway. That will teach him to retire and build a big shop.

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[flash]

i should qualify this by saying that there is no issue with compression IF your block and head are at factory spec. if they have been shaved, then you have a different situation. unless you have owned the car since new, you need to measure the head to know

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