Richard Zahra
Member
Note to admin - If you feel this doesn't belong here please delete, I understand.
I am posting this question on this forum because I think the members here are very knowledgeable and might be able to help me out.
I have recently bought a 1975 Alfa Romeo 105 series Spider and apart for a 5 mile test drive I don't have any history to the car because it is an overseas import.
I have yet to drive it locally since I am still waiting for registration papers but as most of us would do I have been poking around. The problem I have is that I have found engine oil in the radiator at the neck. The oil in the car is fairly clean and my impression is that the oil in the radiator is dirtier. When I was looking at the car prior to purchase I had opened the radiator cap and did not see any oil, the only thing I didn't do was poke my finger.
I am not sure if the problem had occurred before and was repaired but the radiator was not flushed properly or if the problem is there now.
The engine doesn't smoke and when running , no bubbles are seen in the neck of the radiator and it doesn't misfire either. In the test run it ran beautifully.
If I had to replace the oil and add food colouring to the new oil , firstly will it do any damage to the engine if left for say a maximum of 20 miles, secondly would I see the coloured oil in the rad? Is there any other way I can confirm if the problem is there? In the meantime I will be flushing the cooling system a couple of times.
Thanks
Richard
I am posting this question on this forum because I think the members here are very knowledgeable and might be able to help me out.
I have recently bought a 1975 Alfa Romeo 105 series Spider and apart for a 5 mile test drive I don't have any history to the car because it is an overseas import.
I have yet to drive it locally since I am still waiting for registration papers but as most of us would do I have been poking around. The problem I have is that I have found engine oil in the radiator at the neck. The oil in the car is fairly clean and my impression is that the oil in the radiator is dirtier. When I was looking at the car prior to purchase I had opened the radiator cap and did not see any oil, the only thing I didn't do was poke my finger.
I am not sure if the problem had occurred before and was repaired but the radiator was not flushed properly or if the problem is there now.
The engine doesn't smoke and when running , no bubbles are seen in the neck of the radiator and it doesn't misfire either. In the test run it ran beautifully.
If I had to replace the oil and add food colouring to the new oil , firstly will it do any damage to the engine if left for say a maximum of 20 miles, secondly would I see the coloured oil in the rad? Is there any other way I can confirm if the problem is there? In the meantime I will be flushing the cooling system a couple of times.
Thanks
Richard