Hi folks, and thanks again for the very helpful advice and comments.
So, here is today's update:
CovKid wrote:
I suspect that the reason you're topping up and level still drops is you have air in the system and it needs bleeding. If theres not enough there may not be much if any water in rad so it won't get hot. Firstly, follow this (keeping an eye on temperature):
http://wiki.club8090.co.uk/index.php/Co ... ing_system" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - 2,500 revs should annoy the neighbours a bit if you're doing it right. If its not revving fast enough you'll never bleed it.
Had a go at bleeding the system with the help of Simon Baxters guide. TBH I found it a little tricky to be in all three places at once -revving sufficiently from the cab, adjusting radiator bleed screw, checking header tank, and all the while keeping an eye on the gauge up front! I think I got all the air out, but not completely sure so I think I'll have another go at the weekend with the help of a mate - and after topping up the fuel a little
CovKid wrote:
Good idea on checking to see if thermostat housing bolts will move. The other two bolts on the housing (10mm heads accessible from underneath) where the thermostat lives, will come undone ok if you decide to just fit a new stat. They don't seem to be subject to seizing.
Managed to get a 10mm socket on both the vertical bolt heads holding the housing on from underneath, as you say. just cracked them an 1/8 of a turn to see if they would move and it seems they will...the other two bolts from the housing to water pump however are a right bugger to get to. I managed to turn one of them but the other was really tight/possibly seized. Soaked it in PlusGas and will try again tomorrow.
CovKid wrote:Its worth removing fanbelt and checking for wear in waterpump - you'll feel it rock about if there is any.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LghNy400HzI" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - you'll only detect it with belt off. You can then decide if the best option is a complete overhaul as I show in the WIKI. Clearly replacing pump and thermostat (arduous as it is) removes that problem from the equation but no sense in changing pump if there is no real play in its bearings.
Good advice. I removed the belt and wiggled the pulley around. There is very, very slight play but not as much as in your youtube clip. Given the ease of removing the belt it might be interesting if anyone else with a 'known good' cooling system could check their pulleys and comment?
I think given the relatively small amount of play in the pulley, ghost123uk's comment about the unlikelyhood of the pump suddenly failing and the absolute nightmare you describe in the other post, I'm going to leave the pump on and exhaust all other possibilities. The thermostats are only 15quid from Brickwerks and I reckon the two vertical bolts will budge so once I'm 100% happy with the bleeding I'll start with that, assuming that hasn't solved the problem of course!
CovKid wrote:
Chris (CJH) is about to do his
Good luck with yours CJH. Sounds like you are well prepared for any snags. I may yet end up doing mine too as a last resort so I will follow your progress keenly.