cooling disaster - sudden coolant loss

mark foss

New Member
Water pump failure resulted in the fan going into the radiator (2200 SC auto). I pulled in of course but the coolant loss was almost total instantly. RAC home and new pump and radiator. I flushed out the system, filled her up and went for a short drive (2 miles). Result is a muddy scum floating on the water in the rad. What does anyone think? Have I blown the head gasket? What's the chance of a distorted head?

I have flushed her out again but on trying to leave the drive I lost reverse. This was preceeded by a not very loud "thunk". Ideas anyone. I can select 1, 2, and D no problem and there are no nasty noises.
 
First job - REVERSE flush the cooling system. The scum is probably just cr*p that was in the system anyway. Leave the hose pipe in there for quite a while (at least half an hour). Take out the thermostat while you do it - you should be able to leave the rad in and bend the hose pipe around it. Remember to also disconnect heater pipes and give the heater matrix a good flushing in BOTH directions as well.
If the scum is oily as well as brown then think about lifting the head if you can to check, rotten job but only way to make sure.

Second job - Gearbox. presumably you have checked the fluid. Is there enough in there? It should be ruby red, if it is brown or black you have problems. You did get a rad with the fluid cooler at the bottom didn't you? - check for leaks if the fluid is low, the long pipes to the cooler can weep. More than that I do not know but someone on here will.

GOOD LUCK - sounds like you will need it.
 
Does the rad have pipes through it for the autobox fluid ?

If so, could be that this pipe is leaking, allowing water into the box, and auto fluid into the coolant.

Richard
 
Mark, follow Peter's ideas for cooling system flush, refill and try engine again. Watch for new contamination. Try compression pressures test, look for unexplained loss of coolant or excessive oil loss/burning from exhaust, all usual signs for head gasket failure.
Regarding gearbox, light thump noise made me think of external selector rods (on B/W 35 - cable on B/W 65) which could have let go. Re-connect & re-adjust. Innability of gearbox to engage reverse may be 1-2 shift valve sticking.
Do you have a proper w'shop manual / would you feel competent to tackle gearbox?
Regards, John.
 
Thanks for your advice everyone. I could not tackle a gearbox - I'm OK with general servicing, changing the water pump and radiator etc but I'm not competent! The engine now seems to have flushed clear and doesn't seem to recontaminate on stationary running. I had lost a little TQF on changing the rad - I did get the auto one - but 200ml has filled it. To do another road test I shall have to pull the car backwards out of the drive - a slight uphill. I have recently managed to get an original manual so I'm now learning a lot. The club is really great isn't it? I only joined a few months ago.
 
Glad to see you are like the club, this website and forum are recent additions and I think the forum is proving very popular as a great way to solve problems like yours.

Happy P6 Motoring :D

Richard
 
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