3.9 v8 cooling issues

**whitakerb** · 10th January 2009, 02:18 PM

This has probably been asked many times before, however i couldnt find any answers with the search function. I have aquired a 92 rrc, and whenever the engine has been switched off after even 5 mins, the coolant spews out of the so called expansion chamber.

I went to repco this morning to get some coolant and surely enough on the way home the low water light on the rangie came on, and i ended up putting 5 litres into the system.

Does anyone know about this system, the rangie has lpg connected, and the heater is disconected, however i cant smell a lpg leak through the diaphragm. could it be that it is just a syptom of the cap on the expansion tank leaking or am i looking at a bigger problem.

I'm waiting for the haynes manual and the rave cd to arrive, but untill then im a bit worried about taking it anywhere

Any info will be greatly appreciated,

**Grumbles** · 10th January 2009, 02:47 PM

Do a search for blown head gaskets and/or damaged heads. If it's got really boiling hot then they will likely have warped too. The overpressurising of the coolant is a very good sign head problems. There may or may not be oil in the coolant or coolant in the oil. Look for mayo under the oil filler cap too. I think the news is bad though.

**whitakerb** · 10th January 2009, 02:56 PM

i think you might be right, i just ran it and it is coming out of the expansion tank even when running.

will the 3.5 heads fit the 3.9? (i have 2 engines sitting on a pallet)
what sort of cost/process do i go about to sort out heads?

i Checked the oil but it looks ok, and even if i hadnt bled the cooling system properly, it shouldnt pump out 5 litres of coolant
i have only had the rr for a week now so am unsure of the history. but still worth 4500 even with this problem

**Grumbles** · 10th January 2009, 03:09 PM

I have no idea as to whether a 3.5 head will suit a 3.9 block.

Costs will vary as to whether you do all the work yourself. The heads will have to be checked and skimmed. And there is no point in doing all this work unless you also have the radiator rebuilt [not flushed]and replace the water pump and thermostat as a protection for the new engine work.

But didn't this car just have the ABS accumulator fail as well?

It might be getting beyond economic repair but that is your call of course. How much in love with it are you? Reason doesn't always apply with an old but good RRC.

**rangieman** · 10th January 2009, 03:13 PM

3.5 Heads if they are injected heads will go on , And thats if your 3.9 is injected which it should be

**rangieman** · 10th January 2009, 03:18 PM

And yes sounds like a head gasket , But as usual its hard its hard to pinpoint over the net

**PAT303** · 10th January 2009, 03:43 PM

Sounds like the thermostat not the headgaskets.If the overflow tank is spewing coolant it is because the thermostat is closed and the coolant starts boiling but it can't go forward so it goes backwards to the header tank and spews out.If it hasn't already happened you will blow the headgaskets and could also slip a liner. Pat

**forget** · 10th January 2009, 03:47 PM

mate i have been having similar issues read this post

Blowin my load

i have just got my radiator rodded and it has seemed to solve my problem i had it done about 15 months ago and it was severly blocked again.

these vehicles are renowned for clogging up radiators

hope this helps

**PAT303** · 10th January 2009, 03:52 PM

Since when?.If you use good quality coolant you only need a flush every 12 months and a rodding every three. Pat

**whitakerb** · 10th January 2009, 03:56 PM

i did a bit more searching and found a link to a thread with very similar issues:

Do I have a Head problem or a shagged expansion tank cap?

This isnt the same car that has had an abs problem, i have only had it for a week, and other than a small electrical fault it is spot on.

i will do a compression test on monday and price up gaskets and all the other gear, so i can do it myself (im a 3rd yr apprentice mechanical fitter)

unfortuanatly the other heads are of a carby 3.5 so that plan is out the window.

and just for kicks i might end up doing a complete top end rebuild

Thanks for your help guys

regards

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