Cooling system - how does it work.?

[Daniel2311]

Hi, another question I have is about cooling system. How does it work with the three different tanks? The bottom tank with min/max marks is full but the top tank is empty same as radiator is this problem? If it is what do I fill up?

Thanks

[FNqGu04]

Hi Daniel2311
The radiator should be full ,the tank on the side with pressure cap should be full ,and the other should be full to max mark .
Make sure the cap you put on the radiator is not the pressure cap ,it goes on the bottle closest to the windscreen .
Hope that helped .

Craig

[Daniel2311]

Thanks Craig, yes that explains things. Do you know what it means if after filling radiator too and bottom tanks and running it for a while the top tank empties and does not refill?

I'm going to push and ask what you think about coolant in the oil sump? Iwhats the worse it could be.

Thanks heaps Craig

[the evil twin]

If the Coolant level is dropping and getting into the sump that is often a head gasket/cylinder head.
I spose one the bad scale, worst it could be is a cracked Block or Cyl Head but even a Head Gasket is $

I would go see a Rad mob and do a Cooling System Pressure Test if you cannot do it yourself.

Coolant Expansion Tank level should be above Min when cold and below Max when hot... I like the level up near Max myself same as FnqGu04

[Daniel2311]

Thanks Evil Twin, although we found coolant in sump the oil on dipstick is fine, it's oil, not brown or clingy. Could this be a sign it's not worse case. I've read on the forum if coolant in oil the oil is brown and frothy like a milkshake. Thanks

[the evil twin]

Thanks Evil Twin, although we found coolant in sump the oil on dipstick is fine, it's oil, not brown or clingy. Could this be a sign it's not worse case. I've read on the forum if coolant in oil the oil is brown and frothy like a milkshake. Thanks

Strange that there is/was coolant in the sump... maybe it was below the oil pick up level and didn't emulsify.
Maybe there was a leak and prev owner used an additive to seal it or whatever

Anyway, bottom line is you need to do a bit of sleuthing about your Cooling System going by your posts.

I would get a Cooling System Pressure Test done.
If that comes back good then you have eliminated a whole lot of issues as it will tell you if there are any probs like a faulty Pressure Cap, Leaks etc
As the vehicle is new to you it will take a while to sort out what is a problem and what isn't and/or what the prev owner may have covered up.
I would get the Cooling System professionally flushed etc at the same time.

That will give you a lot more confidence that everything is as it should be.

[the evil twin]

... got to add I am not familiar with the RD28.
It is about the only variant I have never owned so my comments are based on general experience with other Patrols

[Daniel2311]

Thanks mate for your help, I've just been so disappointed since picking it up and have now stopped driving it and will get pressure test done as suggested. Thanks again for your help.

[the evil twin]

Thanks mate for your help, I've just been so disappointed since picking it up and have now stopped driving it and will get pressure test done as suggested. Thanks again for your help.

Been there done that a few times over the years I can tell ya... best advice I ever got when I was young fella was "It's simply the joys of motoring, Son"

Keep at it and don't get too peed off, you'll love it once you get it sorted and the mob here on the Forum will help as much as we can

[Daniel2311]

Eviltwin, had radiator compression test done and they were getting exhaust gases in radiator, head gasket.

It's now at mechanic who is going to pull the head off and will work out what the damage is??!!!!!!

[the evil twin]

Hi mate,

Well, not the best of news, but the upside is you know what the problem is now and can sort it out.

Fingers crossed for you that it is a gasket and no major probs with the head etc

Drop back in and post some updates as you go... all info is valuable and it helps others troubleshoot in the future

[Daniel2311]

Hey mate, not good news. Just got off the phone to mechanic and head is rooted. He can get new head and put on it for around $5k but he said he'd be worried doing it not knowing if the block may have something wrong with it and what condition the bottom end is in. He's recommending recon motor which he's found that's had $9k spent on it before the car was written off. Either way I'm stuffed. I can't believe it I'm shattered

[Daniel2311]

Recon motor is about $8k. I'm going to ring the guy that sold it to me but he's already said he didn't know that there was anything wrong with it. I've just been ripped off big time. Maybe he will give me some cash back.

[the evil twin]

Rats... that is a Bummer.
I reckon old mate who sold it would have known something is wrong for sure but not necessarily what.

Might I suggest starting another thread on the Forumabout the 2.8 blown motor and get some of the boys who know that engine better than me share their advice.
Many of them won't have seen this thread