HELP MY DOLLYS OVERHEATED!!!!!

[tulliallancastle]

Hello there I hope you can help me. I am the proud owner of a one owner from new 1978 1500HL with only 48000 miles from new. I have had it on some long drives (London- Glasgow) and and shorter ones with no problems whatsoever. <br>
<br>
In the past 3 months she hasnt got much use and unfortunately has been parked outside due to my selfish wife refusing to clear her rubbish out of my garage. I started her the other day after a heavy frost with no problems and let her idle for 20- 30 mins. I then tried to drive her around the block and there was no power and she kept backfiring and stalling. It appeared as if the brakes were binding and the only way I could get her back to the house was in reverse whist slipping the clutch. There was no point checking the temp gauge as it has never worked so I stopped and checked the non existant coolant which I earlier had topped up with anti freeze and found a greeny browny coloured sludge under the oil cap. <br>
<br>
Does this mean that the cylinder head gasket needs replaced or something more terminal? I cant really understand why she has done this and hope some of you experts may be able to help me.....

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[Dolomite16V]

Having stood for three months, one possible explanation for the poor running could be stale petrol - I understand that modern fuel doesn't have much of a shelf life as it were. Certainly worth draining the tank and priming system with fresh fuel as a first step. With standing outside your engine will probably have accumulated a fair bit of moisture - the sludge you found may have been the result of this rather than the head gasket. Worth draining the cooling system too - if you see oil contamination in what you remove then the head gasket could be the culprit.

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[tulliallancastle]

Thanks for the quick reply- the water expansion tank just appears full of sludge as opposed to oil- does this mean anything?

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[Dolomite16V]

Probably just means that your cooling system is rather choked up with silt. Drain the system and then use a hose pipe to flush through the system thourorghly until you see clear water emerging. Probably worth removing the expansion tank too and giving this a good clean. Then refill with a good quality antifreeze mixture such as bluecol at about 20% strength.

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[Carsreunited]

Oh and if the brakes are binding you might want to have the pads out, clean them up a bit so that they sit smoothly in the caliper. Bit of copperslip gently smeared here and there should help (So I'm told!)<br>
<br>
Oh, and tell your Wife to stop being so mean!<br>
<br>
Scott

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[Silvery]

Like others have said, flush out the cooling system and see if that clears the gunge.<br>
<br>
However, the running problems could be ignition or carb related - Usual checks, oil level in carb dashpots, breather and servo hoses not missing/ split/ perished, HT leads, cap and arm all good, etc.<br>
<br>
If you have massive leaning out you'll get exactly the symptoms described - Tickover is great, but under load the car is undriveable. What generally happens is the pistons in the carbs rise too rapidly, or too far, slowing the airflow (so less fuel is picked up) as well as allowing way too much in. The dashpots have dampers in them (where the oil goes) to slow the rise, but also a lack of air filters can breathe too freely and cause the problem.<br>
<br>
Look on the bright side, with all the rough noises from poor running, at least you can't hear the almost certainly knackered bottom end (at least that's always the case with my cars) <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :lol --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /laugh.gif ALT=":lol"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END-->

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[2F45T4U]

Just out of interest, is it possible to get the plastic expansion bottle see through? Or were they white plastic when made?<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
Adam

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[tulliallancastle]

Im reassured about what you are saying about the cooling system- thanks.<br>
<br>
However what about the sludge on the underside of the oil cap?

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[LewisK]

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES leave your car to idle for more than 30 minutes. Oil circulation at idle is poor at best. You will not be doing your engine any favours doing that.<br>
<br>
Best warmup method is to run the engine at a fast idle (say 1200-1800RPM) and then begin driving almost immediatley, but not push it hard.<br>
<br>
Even the owners manual says so <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :) --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /smile.gif ALT=":)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
<br>
Just thought I'd say.

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[1300dolly]

the sludge under the car is most likly to be condensation built up due to non use rather then the head gasket.<br>
Give the car a good service as already said, free the brakes and enjoy many more years of troublesome motoring.<br>
Justyn

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[davepoth]

It might even be algae if the engine has been sat that long. A flush will make all the difference.

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[tulliallancastle]

I have drained the cooling system and found LOADS of rust, silt etc!!! In fact all the hoses need replaced. This is now gone and I refilled the system with anti freeze and water and fresh fuel and after a short idle- 5- 10 mins I took the car for a short drive and it was fine but for lots of moments of heavy wheezing and some miss fires like gun shot blasts from the exhaust. The sludge is still under the oil cap and there did not appear to be any oil in the water before during or after this...<br>
<br>
<br>
Any ideas????????

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[Jon Tilson]

sounds like the cause...<br>
Oil and filter change...new air filters, new breather hoses from carbs to rocker cover...rocker cover off and remove crud. Try again...<br>
Unlikely to be a blown head gasket on a 1500 and its cheaper to elliminate all else first...<br>
Points and condensor and clean plugs always helps too...<br>
Timing 10 BTDC static...<br>
Jonners

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[davepoth]

Like Jon says, change the fuel, change the oil, top up the dashpots and check the timing, and you'll be a lot happier.

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[tulliallancastle]

Thanks guys Im reassured that you dont think its the head gasket as <br>
<br>
1 its too expensive<br>
2 I couldnt do it myself<br>
<br>
I should be able to do the other work myself if my wife lets me put it in the garage and I can get some money together!<br>
<br>
Thanks for a great source of help and information!!!!!!!!!!<br>
<br>
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