Water and Oil loss

[silverfox]

Had the stag a month now and am more than happy with it, however I still have a mild dose of stagnephobia, (I think that's the correct medical term}. I recently did a 380 mile round trip, everything seemed perfect. The temperature didn't move from the central position and the engine never missed a beat. However on checking the oil and water I found that both needed topping up by about half a litre. I've since checked after more milage and found the same. The water in the expansion bottle stays the same level but it disappears from the radiator. I've renewed the expansion bottle pressure cap and checked all the hoses, all seem ok. The exhaust emits a sort of fog even when the engine is hot, ( the same sort of emission you get on start up on a wet day ). Can anyone advise on what to check and in what order and also how difficult each job is. Thanks Terry

[stupot]

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Hi silverfox,regarding the mist emmited from the exhaust my stag does the same especaily on a cool day. At the London lights tour in December i noticed about 15 other stags , all with the same mist, regards Paul

[Andy Rundell]

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Hi Terry,

In the current low temperatures then getting vapour in your exhaust fumes is pretty normal, just look at most of the other cars on the road

If you do have an issue that is causing seriously excessive water vapour then it is more likely to be at leak at the inlet manifold.

You can rule the head gaskets in or out of the equation using a block tester, available at plenty of locations, i got one from Frosts, they look like this :

http://www.uktools.com/block-tester-p-12508.html

your oil consumption of a pint (my brain still works in imperial) after the best part of 400 miles doesn't sound too bad, certainly possible to live with - if you are burning large amounts you should be able to see any clouds out of the exhaust on the overrun (valveguides) or when you boot it (rings)

.......Andy

[Guest]

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Hi Terry, our cars often suffer from sneaky little oil leaks around the rear of the heads, and can leak from that horrible original oil filter, not to mention the timing case and sump. Leave some newspaper underneath while she's idling after a run, that'll give you a rough idea where it's coming from if it is a leak. Is she mucky around the floor by the gearbox ? Also blocked breathers can raise consumption. Martin.

[silverfox]

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Thanks for all the information lads. It's amazing how much re-assurance you people give someone like me. I'm not bad with 4 cylinder engines but when it comes to 8 cylinder Vs with the probably now unfounded reputation the stag engine has it can seem a bit daunting. But the more I use it and start doing the smaller jobs, with help from you guys the more confident I'll become.
I'll order one of those kits just to put my mind at rest.
I can't see any oil leaks under the car, there's nothing on the drive but I'll put some paper down as suggested, Thanks again, Terry

[Guest]

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silverfox wrote:

can't see any oil leaks under the car, there's nothing on the drive but I'll put some paper down as suggested, Thanks again, Terry

Hiya, don't forget to leave the engine running ( 30 mins ) so that the system is pressurised. Martin.

[silverfox]

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I'll do that Martin, thanks Terry

[silverfox]

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Just had another run in the stag. Opened the bonnet and noticed water seems to be coming out of the expansion bottle top. As I said before I've changed the expansion bottle pressure cap. Is this just a case of changing the bottle or could it be something else. Terry

[Bazstag]

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How much are you filling the expansion bottle? There should be no more than half, the engine will find its on level by pushing out any excess. Mine has only about2"s in the bottom

Baz

[silverfox]

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Thanks Baz, mines just under half way

[Guest]

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Hiya, If water comes out of the bottleit's one offour things, the bottle is over full, the cooling systemis pressurised by a failing gasket, the brass collar on top has worked loose, or the rad cap has failed or is of too low a value, the Mk2 cooling system uses a 20lb cap, is that what you've got ? Cheers, Martin.

[redstag]

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Martin Stevenson wrote:

Hiya, If water comes out of the bottleit's one offour things, the bottle is over full, the cooling systemis pressurised by a failing gasket, the brass collar on top has worked loose, or the rad cap has failed or is of too low a value, the Mk2 cooling system uses a 20lb cap, is that what you've got ? Cheers, Martin.

Or a leak anywhere (especially inlet manifolds) that allows air to be drawn into the system.

Pete

[silverfox]

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Yes Martin I've just fitted a new 20 lb pressure bottle cap. Do you have to remove much to check the inlet manifold studs. Terry

[Jeff]

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Hi Terry,

Sorry to be the bearer of possibly sad tidings but 2 years ago I had the same problems as you describe.

I took the filler plug off the top of rad and made an extension tube from copper plumbing fittings purely to raise this inlet and to fit a large funnel securely.

The temp got up to near normal and was ok, but as soon as it got hotter (and this is perfectly ok even though the system is not pressurised, I drove a Range Rover around London with the cap off after it overheated, just never got up to temp and this was on the advice of an experienced mechanic) ANYWAY, on my Stag, the coolant expanded, filling the large funnel then would contract, then flow over again, etc., etc..

The point of this test proved the head gasket/s had blown and compression/exhaust gases were getting into the cooling system and pressurising it.

I had a complete engine rebuild by Clive Tate and has been fantastic ever since. I am not saying this is the same as yours, but a simple way of diagnosing this problem.

Hope this gives you something to consider and hopefully even rule it out.

Jeff.

[Jeff]

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Forgot to say, when the coolant expanded into the funnel, lots of gas bubbled up which made room for the coolant to drop back again, then repeated the cycle.
Jeff