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Over cooling RV8
Paul (Notts) - 9/3/08 at 05:56 PM

After getting plates about 3 weeks ago the car has had its first run out today.

Just a few small problems showed up

1 My legs were Bl**dy cold
2 Its hard to see when it hailstones

3 I have a problem with overcooling.

The engine never gets much hotter that 70 deg when moving. I have checked the top hose with an infra red temp sensor and it seems the thermostat is opening about 70 deg or may even be stuck open.

My only other thought is the bypass pipe on the diagram is letting too much water through.

Any thoughts.

Oh well time to drain the antifreeze and buy a new thermostat.

BUT what a drive
Rescued attachment nov06 043 l.JPG
Rescued attachment nov06 043 l.JPG


ditchlewis - 9/3/08 at 06:02 PM

snap. i went for a run today and the engine remained below 80. i have heat wrapped the header, and i was thinking of removing the wrap to increase the heat.

ditch


rusty nuts - 9/3/08 at 06:05 PM

Not unknown for thermostats to be faulty or it could be too low opening temperature in the first place? Have you used Water Wetter? as it drops the temperature by as much as 20degrees. As for cold legs try thermals and try to avoid hailstones


Paul (Notts) - 9/3/08 at 06:25 PM

Using halfords antifreez which has a water wetter in to improve cooling.

When I built the car I expected to have the opposit problem. I thought the 200-300 pounds for a V8 rad was too much so I used an alluminium Volvo rad new for £40. seems to work too well.

Paul


mark chandler - 9/3/08 at 06:48 PM

whatever you do leave the bypass hose alone. Sounds like stuck thermostat


Guinness - 9/3/08 at 07:29 PM

It is pretty chilly out, I'd guess around 7 degrees? Plus 70 mph windchill factor?

Could you temporarily blank of a bit of the rad to reduce it's effectiveness? Like you see on Landies / Old Taxi's?

Other than checking the thermostat works, I'd be tempted to leave the cooling system alone until the ambient temperatures start rising.

At the moment 7C plus 63C engine = your 70C

In the summer 20C plus 63C = 83C ??

Mike


froggy - 9/3/08 at 07:46 PM

id wait til summer before changing anything,if you can keep the temp around 80c in summer your doing well with a rover v8 as they dont like getting hot. my old avenger ran a vitesse v8 with a smaller rad that sat between the chassis rails ,i used a 72c stat and it sat at 70 in winter and 80 in summer


donut - 9/3/08 at 07:47 PM

I would leave it till the weather is warmer as it may be spot on when it's baking outside.


repper - 9/3/08 at 07:47 PM

i all so would leve it for a bit coz as soon as the warm wether gets hear and you goto the cost for run out but end up in a 2hr trafic jam you will be glad its running cool


darrens - 9/3/08 at 08:04 PM

I'd also leave, had mine out today at croft (bonza day apart from shearing an engine mount bolt) and it too never got above 70 (during normal drive), got to 75 when on the track.

Best to keep to old rover cool.

Cheers


tom_loughlin - 9/3/08 at 08:42 PM

my RV8 in the TVR rarely gets about 70 (75 in the summer) - they are known for their cool running - nothing to worry about


Dave J - 9/3/08 at 09:05 PM

Definately leave well alone till the summer.

Mine tends to run cool in chilly weather, but runs quite hot in the summer. I have to manually switch the cooling fans on when in traffic to be on the safe side (in warm weather).
I've used water wetter which has improved the situation.

Cheers

Dave


hearbear - 9/3/08 at 09:05 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Paul (Notts)
Using halfords antifreez which has a water wetter in to improve cooling.

When I built the car I expected to have the opposit problem. I thought the 200-300 pounds for a V8 rad was too much so I used an alluminium Volvo rad new for £40. seems to work too well.

Paul


Good to hear as I picked up the volvo rad for my build also and I think it was £40