water problem

[learner]

hi all
i have a 4.2lt pet/gas 1990 mav and my problem is that it will not retrieve water back from the overflow bottle which means that i have to fill radiator up all the time. things i have already done inc
put cargo in the water, pressure check all hoses, flushed out radiator, new cap and checked thermostat all ok checked o/flow pipe to make sure it was sucking ok. no water in oil and perfomance is good. any ideas on what else i could do
thank you

[Bigrig]

You sure it's not going back in because it's using water?? Filling it up all the time is a sign that the water has to be going somewhere?? Leak in water pump, head (hopefully not), head gasket, etc

[Xfactor]

just checking .... it is a recovery radiator cap? not just a normal one?

[iht2670]

just checking .... it is a recovery radiator cap? not just a normal one?

Good point have had people with this issue before, if not this cracked head or blown head gasket not uncommon on TB42

Steve.

[learner]

You sure it's not going back in because it's using water?? Filling it up all the time is a sign that the water has to be going somewhere?? Leak in water pump, head (hopefully not), head gasket, etc

has new water pump. no water in oil. compression test ok
thanks

[learner]

no just a normal one. sorry never heard of a recovery cap. thanks

[learner]

the overflow tank is filling up and overflowing out of the pipe

[the ferret]

Learner, hi, first I would try another radiator cap as yours may be faulty, then if there is no improvement I would seek out a compression test for the engine.
It sounds to me as if you have a blown head gasket or cracked cylinder head, does it get worse as time goes on?
Have you checked for bubbles in the radiator at operating temperature?
Take care when opening the cap on a warm engine as when the pressure is released, the water can boil instantly and cause severe burns, use a rag over the cap when undoing.
Cheers, the ferret.

[learner]

the ferret i have put a brand new radiator cap on which made no diff. it does not get any worse as times go by but sometimes it runs better one day than the next. no bubbles when gets hot but water in overflow bottle tends to boil over and sizzling noise can be heard from inside car.
thanks learner

[the ferret]

the ferret i have put a brand new radiator cap on which made no diff. it does not get any worse as times go by but sometimes it runs better one day than the next. no bubbles when gets hot but water in overflow bottle tends to boil over and sizzling noise can be heard from inside car.
thanks learner

No bubbles, then I would be re-checking the thermostat, take it out and take it for a run, don't leave it out tho as this would cause overheating.
Cheers, the ferret.

[learner]

the ferret
taken thermostat out and checked using thermomitor in hot water and it opened at the correct temp
thanks learner

[robbo0001]

I'm gunna say head gasket (sorry Learner),,,,

Sizzling noise in cab, boiling water in overflow.
IF your feet are't wet, or your passengers .......ie heater core leak

Pistons 5 or 6...head gasket gone, hence the "sizzling" heard in the cab, when the engine is hot.
NO water in oil.....cause its all boiling off the block, when its hot.
(Then you need to refill the overflow bottlw. The water isn't mising....its boiled off)

Hope Iits not a head, Learner.
Fingers crossed

[the ferret]

Yep, looks like head gasket, get a compession test mate.
Cheers, the ferret.