Engine coolant overflow

[Pearce]

MA61 Supra

After 30 minutes of driving, the temp sensor started to rise rapidly - I stopped to find coolant gushing from the overflow bottle. At first thoughts - headgasket.

Second thoughts the radiator cap looked skew - allowing air in, after it cooled there was still good levels of coolant.

If it was a blowen head gasket - would the coolant from the overflow bottle contain oil ?

[Norbie]

A blown headgasket can have many symptoms. You'll have oil in the radiator only if the gasket blew between an oil gallery and a water jacket. On the other hand if the seal broke between the cylinder and a water jacket you'll get combustion pressure in the radiator, which spits the coolant out the overflow bottle. I had this happen once, it's amazing how quickly your coolant disappears!

Anyway, this doesn't necessarily means it's a BHG but it's definitely something worth investigating. Any mechanic can test your coolant for evidence of combustion byproducts, which will tell you for sure if it was the headgasket.

[Pearce]

Ah, I've had the engine idle for 15 / 20mins - with no signs of extra coolant in the overflow bottle.. Perhaps it needs higher revs to force pressure..

Anyway time to get professional help me thinks.


Can I just ask ( i know length of string type quest. ) - how much to expect for BHG repairs on a 5m

[Norbie]

Much more than it's worth. Either source a second-hand running 5M for next to nothing, or use this as an excuse for that engine conversion you've always wanted.

[The Witzl]

<nudge> ENGINE CONVERSION </nudge>

[Joorsh]

2J...
Do it.

[Pearce]

im just a security guard - unless I could find a 7mge under $1500 and put it in for $500 theres no way I could do what you guys do.

[wilbo666]

im just a security guard - unless I could find a 7mge under $1500 and put it in for $500 theres no way I could do what you guys do.

No time like the present to do some learning?
(On the old forums Blake, (Brisbane based) is trying to off load a MS85 with a 7mge sitting in it for well under $1500 ....)

[nudge] engine conversion[/nudge]

Cheers
Wilbo