Paranoria again

[Dave M]

Had my Stag 18 plus years and every so often the old stag paranoria raises its head again. Took the car out yesterday for a 100 mile run to a classic car show, first run out this year and
a) it seemed a bit sluggish.
b) when I checked the coolant this morning there was very slight pressure still in the system, no coolant loss though and temp sits at 88 all the time (88 degree stat fitted)
Maybe its the effect of For The Love of cars and the number of people who asked me questions about reliability yesterday and me answering "no its fine" bringing in a bit of the old sods law or am I worrying about nothing?
The sluggishness may be due to me not driving the car for a while and being used to a diesel with loads of torque however last year I remember being really pleased with the throttle response and livleyness of the engine after fitting the Weber so I wonder whats changed?

[iani]

Stale fuel? Having changed to a Jag I am finding it to be very fussy over fuel quality too, I only ever use premium fuels but if I use BP Ultimate I have light pinking whereas if I use Shell V-Power the car runs fine, the extra 1 RON must make a lot of difference I guess.

Ian

[Dave M]

Stale fuel? Having changed to a Jag I am finding it to be very fussy over fuel quality too, I only ever use premium fuels but if I use BP Ultimate I have light pinking whereas if I use Shell V-Power the car runs fine, the extra 1 RON must make a lot of difference I guess.

Ian

Thanks for the reply Ian, I had half a tank of old fuel which I topped up at a garage I dont normally use, no choice on RON on the unleaded so it could be a fuel issue.

[Stagsongas]

Dave,

Trust your memory of driving it last year and work from there.

I doubt that a run in the temp.s of the last few days is making your engine run hotter than it did last year, unless something cooling or combustion temp. related went wrong since. All the usual things from a few leaves against the rad, fan belt tension etc. etc. are all things you're sure to know backwards, but they are worth mentioning for others. To be fair, you didn't actually mention having a high engine temp. but I can understand why you'd have it in mind with the focus brought firmly back to cooling this last few days.

The sluggishness could be caused by something totally unrelated and Fuel is a good place to begin.

But going back to cooling....As I understand it, car owners up to the 60's or so used to change (or have changed) their thermostat Winter (88C) and Summer (82C) as matter of course. Perhaps switching to the 82C unit would make you feel a little less paranoia this Summer?

Good Luck

Steve

[Dave M]

Dave,

Trust your memory of driving it last year and work from there.

I doubt that a run in the temp.s of the last few days is making your engine run hotter than it did last year, unless something cooling or combustion temp. related went wrong since. All the usual things from a few leaves against the rad, fan belt tension etc. etc. are all things you're sure to know backwards, but they are worth mentioning for others. To be fair, you didn't actually mention having a high engine temp. but I can understand why you'd have it in mind with the focus brought firmly back to cooling this last few days.

The sluggishness could be caused by something totally unrelated and Fuel is a good place to begin.

But going back to cooling....As I understand it, car owners up to the 60's or so used to change (or have changed) their thermostat Winter (88C) and Summer (82C) as matter of course. Perhaps switching to the 82C unit would make you feel a little less paranoia this Summer?

Good Luck

Steve

Yea Steve Ive thought about changing the Stat to a slightly lower temp one, was running with a 72 which kept the engine way to cool so something in between may be better as you suggest. Engine isnt overheating but there was slight pressure remaining in the system this morning (parked up at 17:00 last night) or could be vacuum its difficult to tell as it was a very very short hiss when I relaesed the pressure cap and thats the issue thats set the Stag Paranoria off again.

[tjk]

Hi
I don't think that the cooling system could hold positive pressure over night, I would think it was a vacuum suggesting a system in good condition.
Tim

[73stagman]

Stale fuel? Having changed to a Jag I am finding it to be very fussy over fuel quality too, I only ever use premium fuels but if I use BP Ultimate I have light pinking whereas if I use Shell V-Power the car runs fine, the extra 1 RON must make a lot of difference I guess.

Ian

I am using Shell fuel VR nitro plus stuff. I have run standard unleaded (ASDA) and Shell and have proved that the Shell works for my car far better than the normal unleaded stuff. I would say (in my experience) that it makes a very noticeable difference in driveability of the car and the better response to the loud pedal is worth the bit extra it costs.

[brooklands green]

Dave,
Watch out for that paranoia, that will bring on your drink problem,which will lead to early nights be carefull.

Thanks Glyn

[Stagsongas]

Hi
I don't think that the cooling system could hold positive pressure over night, I would think it was a vacuum suggesting a system in good condition.
Tim

Tim,

Absolutely and precisely what I think.

Slight low pressure resulting from contraction of the coolant, and a system that does not leak.

Regards

Steve

[Stagsongas]

Yea Steve Ive thought about changing the Stat to a slightly lower temp one, was running with a 72 which kept the engine way to cool so something in between may be better as you suggest. Engine isnt overheating but there was slight pressure remaining in the system this morning (parked up at 17:00 last night) or could be vacuum its difficult to tell as it was a very very short hiss when I relaesed the pressure cap and thats the issue thats set the Stag Paranoria off again.

Good luck with the 82 then Dave

Regards

Steve

[Bazstag]

Dave,
Watch out for that paranoia, that will bring on your drink problem,which will lead to early nights be carefull.

Thanks Glyn

He's obviously going to be paranoid again at National weekend .......... Dave.. I think its just down to you not driving it for a while, I had the same feeling when I got mine on the road a month ago, thought it had more power last year but following you last weekend I floored it and I was smiling again

[mike@thenook]

Steve,

Nothing to do with this post but what are the wheels/size on your car - Minilites maybe..?

Cheers

[Dave M]

He's obviously going to be paranoid again at National weekend .......... Dave.. I think its just down to you not driving it for a while, I had the same feeling when I got mine on the road a month ago, thought it had more power last year but following you last weekend I floored it and I was smiling again

Couldn't floor mine too much Baz as I had a restrictor on------------------------------------the wife :-)

[Dave M]

Dave,
Watch out for that paranoia, that will bring on your drink problem,which will lead to early nights be carefull.

Thanks Glyn

Glyn, good to hear from you, don't talk to me about early nights, I feel constantly knackered these days could sleep anywhere anytime. Are you still coming to National Weekend? We shall be there if the Stag Paranoia doesent get me first :-)

[Stagsongas]

Steve,

Nothing to do with this post but what are the wheels/size on your car - Minilites maybe..?

Cheers

Mike,

Yes, Minilite copies with 185 65 15's. I thought they were a very good deal bought as a package from a firm called MGBhive, Cambridge way I think. You'll find 'em on t'internet.

I did a write up on the wheels when I fitted them about this time last year. If you search using my tag for posts you will find it. I do find the car's handling improved by reduced 65 sidewall flexing, and no nasty scraping of wheelarches etc. I really like the appearance of the rims and they're easy to keep clean.

Regards

Steve