2.8i radiator

[Jack Walsh]

I took my car out for a drive last night, only to get home and find that the radiator had suffered a massive failure - i.e. there was NO water left in it. It looks like it's split somewhere toward the bottom of the rad (the bottom hose seems fine) and water now comes out nearly as fast as you can put it in.

Unfortunately, I don't know at what point in the journey it let go, so I don't know how much damage has been done. It was just beginning to want to stall on tickover when I got back to the drive, and it was starting to smoke a bit! Clearly, I'm worried about warped heads, blown gaskets and scoring to pistons etc.

I guess all I can do is fit another rad, fill it with water, and then start checking for the obvious things - i.e. oil in the water, sniff test in the expansion tank, compression test etc.

It makes me a bit miserable when I think about it. That said, it could have locked up at 90mph on the dual carriageway and destroyed itself (and me).

Anyhow - I'm after a good 2.8i radiator. I could do with a cap too, as the old one is pretty perished.

Many thanks for any help or advice.

Fucking cars!

Regards.

[Peter-S]

I took my car out for a drive last night, only to get home and find that the radiator had suffered a massive failure - i.e. there was NO water left in it. It looks like it's split somewhere toward the bottom of the rad (the bottom hose seems fine) and water now comes out nearly as fast as you can put it in.

Unfortunately, I don't know at what point in the journey it let go, so I don't know how much damage has been done. It was just beginning to want to stall on tickover when I got back to the drive, and it was starting to smoke a bit! Clearly, I'm worried about warped heads, blown gaskets and scoring to pistons etc.

I guess all I can do is fit another rad, fill it with water, and then start checking for the obvious things - i.e. oil in the water, sniff test in the expansion tank, compression test etc.

It makes me a bit miserable when I think about it. That said, it could have locked up at 90mph on the dual carriageway and destroyed itself (and me).

Anyhow - I'm after a good 2.8i radiator. I could do with a cap too, as the old one is pretty perished.

Many thanks for any help or advice.

Fucking cars!

Regards.

I had something similar last year. The rad went and the temp gauge went up 'at speed' on the motorway. I pulled off as a precaution and the engine died as the head gaskets had gone so it needed a tow home. Anyway the upshot was that there appeared to be no damage and once new gaskets were fitted it seems good. Hopefully yours will be OK if it was actually still running.

[Jack Walsh]

Thanks Peter, that makes me feel better.

Fingers crossed.

[Andrew 2.8i]

Hi,
Sorry to hear of your troubles, what a nightmare.
Try Martin at Caprigear for a replacement radiator, he should be able to help.
For the cap, you can't beat the look of a genuine item, in my opinion.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORD-CAPRI-2- ... SwB-1Yvdpq

Andrew.

[Noel]

Have you considered repairing your current rad?
Can save a lot of money.

I know it is in the next county to you, but I have good reports of Colchester Radiator Specialists.