Update on my rascal/advice

[yorkshirerider]

Hi all, sorry not been on much (i do find it hard to log in sometimes??) anyhow, after spending a healthy amount at bedfordrascal.com i have been playing eith sooty the last couple of days

he was running on 3 cylinders, we took spark plugs out, they were oily we then cleaned them up and did a compression test

all 4 cylinders well up on compression so it is pointing to valve stem seals

i drove him over 100 miles today `on test` and he pulls fantastic, but the temp guage fluctuates?? what does all your rascals guage sit at???


he tends to stay on half untill he goes up a hill etc and then it rises to 3/4, i also lift the seat and theres smoke (not much) coming from engine bay, this could be a radiator cap as its brown around this area

other than that he pulls and drives fantastic!! so any ideas?? im thinking valve guide seals and possibly head gasket on way out??

[Dell Boy]

Should run at a quarter on the guage, a third on a hot day.
It sounds like some sealing gunge may have been put in the water [the brown stain round rad cap?] which tends to block up water passages.
I think you need a new radiator & possibly water pump.

Derek.

[yorkshirerider]

hi dereck, thanks for reply, the water pump is brand new, ive just looked ( i bought one aswell doh) he definatly doesnt run at 1/4 hes more like upto 3/4 

[>>CHOP<<]

check thermostat is opening...run without for a while to test...mine was running like yours ...untill i discovered the thermostat wasnt opening

[Dell Boy]

When you lift the seat after a run are you hit by a wave of heat coming of the engine?
Derek.

[>>CHOP<<]

have you noticed any loss of oil or water...if your engine is getting really really hot it could be burning off old oil from the block etc...check that thermostat..?

[Dell Boy]

I am pretty sure your radiator is either blocked or freeze damaged causing the overheating.
Derek.

[J J 007]

I would get a recon rad and keep anti freeze in it all the time

[>>CHOP<<]

its best to take it off...and flush it good ..with a shake rattle and roll...not a big job..awkward bit is taking fan off..but easy enough

if it only smokes on starting then it probebly is valve seals...