Re: Fans and Overheating

[PGAHOWELLS <PGAHOWELLS@domain.elided>]

Hi all
Shortly after the Stag was launched, lots of them overheated, because the
wrong , or no Antifreeze was used by the Dealers. The susequent corrosion of
the reputedly poor quality aluminium heads, made worse by being used in
conjunction with the cast iropn of the block gave rise to blocked waterways,
overheating, warping of heads, stuck valves, valves into pistons etc etc. Many
engines had just been carelessly built and the British Stag owning public
became paranoid about overheating. In fact its true, once they really overheat
its "hello problems".
Mine overheated because the engine rebuilder didn't use a reinforced hose, a
little u shaped one above the thermostat. After 20k it split. I was too late.
The engine overheated. It was fixed but 3k later I suffered a seized camshaft
and destroyed all the valve gear plus the camshaft and crankshaft sprockets.
So while I am sure Mike is right there are some golden rules.
-    Only use ethylene glycol antifreeze, and not methanol. Use up to 25/50%
but no more or less.
-    Keep the level up. If that water pump "dries out" then it rusts and the
corrosion tears the gland apart. 
-    Only use reinforced hoses. I think they will run for 100 k miles subject
to the usual regular checks.
-    If you hear any noise under that hood/bonnet that you don't like,
investigate it immediately.

So thats why in UK we are paranoid about overheating, except Mike who probably
realised the importance of the above and found it quite simple to follow basic
rules of maintenance.
Peter Howells