Still getting to know my dolly!

[RJF_70]

After my first 2 1/2 weeks of Dolomite ownership, I am generally over the moon with her, just a couple of things really bothering me, seem to have fixed the leaky diff filler plug, stream of bubbles in header tank when running, but not overheating, no mayonaise on oil filler cap and no oil in water! Head gasket on service history was replaced and upgraded to Payen? at 38426 and now on 54800. Had it on front ramps today as developed a leak on transmission, and found a hairline crack in filler tube at the bottom as it angles in to gearbox join. Also says in history that voltage stabiliser has been changed to an iow electronic type? Should I be looking to change that back to standard, it's 2 connectors wrapped in a mass of electrical tape from what I can tell although I haven't unwrapped it yet as not ready for any more surprises at the minute .
Also another leak but oil at back of engine, replaced rocker cover gasket as matter of service part a few days after I got her but still seeping from back corner, or maybe even bolt on that corner or head gasket although seems to be above the head gasket! What is that bolt on back corner of head there for? cant find anything in Haynes manual about it!
Finally please bear with me, something else on service history at 47911 Waxstat conversion penny washered? any ideas on that and if so is it a good thing?
Thanks for reading..lol
Rich
PS Forgot to mention it's a 1500 Auto 1981 ROO 626W if anyone has any info about my car would be appreciated.

[Edin Dundee]

Waxstats:
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=11818

Voltage regulator - if you're worried about the looks, buy an original can from the club fitted with modern internals.

Bubbling in the header - not good, usually head gasket failure. At least the heads come off non 1850s.

[RJF_70]

Waxstats:
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=11818

Voltage regulator - if you're worried about the looks, buy an original can from the club fitted with modern internals.

Bubbling in the header - not good, usually head gasket failure. At least the heads come off non 1850s.

mmmm, worried about that even more now! Had previous head gasket failures on modern cars but they also had running issues etc, Car drives perfect, no loss of power, no gunk, no oil in water and no overheating, done 600 miles since I purchased my Dolly and no issues whilst driving at all, just checked all levels today and noticed a couple of bubbles when I switched engine off after taking her out of garage, Started up without filler cap on expansion tank and more bubbles, not constant but enough to worry me. Car has been doing approx 1000-1200 miles per year judging by past mot's etc, so sometime this week plan to take off rocker and re torque head bolts as have to try and pin point oil leak aswell. Any other way of checking for head gasket failure or imminent head gasket failure? Also as new to club how and who do you contact regarding parts?
Rich..

[MIG Wielder]

PS Forgot to mention it's a 1500 Auto 1981 ROO 626W if anyone has any info about my car would be appreciated.

Did you get a trailer with the car made from the back half of a Dolomite ?
I have memories of a ROO numberplate and a red Dolomite about a year ago.
Tony.

[RJF_70]

Tony, trailer was available but didn't buy it as no use for it and also no where to keep it, did make an offer for it afterwards as my brother wanted it but had been sold!
Rich..

[Toledo Man]

I remember this one. Glad it has remained in the fold.

Get a compression test done. You might not get a definitive answer to the potential head gasket issue but it should give you an idea of the general health of your engine.

[RJF_70]

I remember this one. Glad it has remained in the fold.

Get a compression test done. You might not get a definitive answer to the potential head gasket issue but it should give you an idea of the general health of your engine.

Ok what sort of readings should I be looking for from each cylinder?
Rich..

[Triumph1300]

Where are you in Coventry?
I'm only in Finham.

[RJF_70]

Where are you in Coventry?
I'm only in Finham.

Binley, not too far from Morrisons.
Rich

[Toledo Man]

I don't know off the top of my head what the readings should be but they should all be within 10% of each other.

[RJF_70]

Ok, so this afternoon after work I have drained water, and cleaned header tank so I can see whats going on properly. Not any sludge, only in header tank! So attempted to undo filler nut on radiator and whole thing comes off as being held on by gunk / silicone and had been painted black, so that's one more bodge found . After seperating nut from threaded insert I had no choice but to silicone it back in, but intend to fix it properly asap. Refilled rad and started her up, few bubbles but stopped after approx 1 minute, so took her for a run did 5 miles all fine and got back took cap off header tank, again constant bubbles for about 1 minute then stopped, took cap off rocker and fine not a trace of anything but fresh oil! Havent done the compression test yet as trying to source a kit to lend / buy as no doubt I will need it again in the future. If it hadn't started lashing down with rain again was going to have rocker off to see where this oil leak is occuring and torque up head bolts but rain stopped play. We were intending to go to Devon in her this weekend but think it will be taking a big gamble until I'm 100% sure of what's going on. Uncovering little annoying things on my car slowly but intend to fix them all in a correct way.
Rich..

[Toledo Man]

That is the rarest variant of Dolomite so it is worth doing everything properly. You might have an airlock in the cooling system. There should be a filler plug on the radiator so you can remove that to bleed any remaining air. Squeezing the bottom hose will help expel any air. What is the condition of the pressure cap? It might need replacing.

[RJF_70]

That is the rarest variant of Dolomite so it is worth doing everything properly. You might have an airlock in the cooling system. There should be a filler plug on the radiator so you can remove that to bleed any remaining air. Squeezing the bottom hose will help expel any air. What is the condition of the pressure cap? It might need replacing.

It is the filler plug that came away today as had been bodged in along with the plug collar with silicone! Cannot take plug out without removing the collar and new silicone. Maybe this is the cause of the bubbles although its not and hasn't been leaking or losing coolant.
Rich..

[tinweevil]

]
Ok what sort of readings should I be looking for from each cylinder?
Rich..

I used to get 170-185 from mine but as TM says having them all close, within sane limits, is more important than bald numbers. Do the test with the engine hot and all 4 plugs removed.

[RJF_70]

So bought a compression testing kit from Machine Mart, Good news is bubbles in header have stopped, must have been an airlock, Results of compression test are as follows. Presuming cylinder 1 is nearest to the bulkhead 1. 150 2.137 3.127 4.150. Obviously 2 and 3 are down but are they within tolerance or is it bad news and head off for a refurb?
Cheers Rich