My car has been shedding coolant for a while.
I originally thought it was the water pump, but on investigation, realised it was the core plugs, specifically the ones behind the engine mounts. I built the engine about 10 years ago and it has always run with the correct anti freeze, but I have no idea where it was and what it was run on before I got my hands on the block. I was staggered how rotten the plugs were and wish I had changed them when I built the engine.
New plugs came from CPI (Core Plugs International) for £20 and I have fitted brass over stainless steel on a recommendation as apparently, stainless plugs can corrode your block. Great supplier, very knowledgeable.
So there you go, when re-building an engine, change the core plugs, even if they look OK. It takes half an hour and is pretty easy to do.
Quote from: 427SCR on Nov 29, 2022, 04:10 PMMy car has been shedding coolant for a while.
I originally thought it was the water pump, but on investigation, realised it was the core plugs, specifically the ones behind the engine mounts. I built the engine about 10 years ago and it has always run with the correct anti freeze, but I have no idea where it was and what it was run on before I got my hands on the block. I was staggered how rotten the plugs were and wish I had changed them when I built the engine.
New plugs came from CPI (Core Plugs International) for £20 and I have fitted brass over stainless steel on a recommendation as apparently, stainless plugs can corrode your block. Great supplier, very knowledgeable.
So there you go, when re-building an engine, change the core plugs, even if they look OK. It takes half an hour and is pretty easy to do.
It may be worth considering using a seperate Earth strap for your radiator, if you haven't already got one .
There is a possibility that the corrosion could be being caused by electrolysis, you may well have electric fans
with a good earth but the actual radiator may not have a dedicated earth.
I have never had problems with core plugs with any of my Rv8's, that includes my Southern Roadcraft but a
fellow Cobra owner had loads of problems with his Pilgrim overheating, the cause was radiators blocked with
corrosion .
His block and two of the radiators were new, between us we decided that an earth strap to the radiator would
do no harm and prevent electrolysis from happening, mine has always had one .
This info may be of use and reduce the corrosion .
P.S. Your engine block should have a good earth otherwise starting issues would be present.
Chris.
Quote from: Chris on Nov 29, 2022, 07:15 PMIt may be worth considering using a seperate Earth strap for your radiator, if you haven't already got one .
There is a possibility that the corrosion could be being caused by electrolysis, you may well have electric fans
with a good earth but the actual radiator may not have a dedicated earth.
I have never had problems with core plugs with any of my Rv8's, that includes my Southern Roadcraft but a
fellow Cobra owner had loads of problems with his Pilgrim overheating, the cause was radiators blocked with
corrosion .
His block and two of the radiators were new, between us we decided that an earth strap to the radiator would
do no harm and prevent electrolysis from happening, mine has always had one .
This info may be of use and reduce the corrosion .
P.S. Your engine block should have a good earth otherwise starting issues would be present.
Chris.
I will do that. I have a bespoke copper rad with tapped connections for my fan, so I can easily add an earth from the fan cable to the fan fixing.