Cooling System Failure

[Wickens]

Driving a '66 S1 4.2l Roadster, fully restored in the mid 90s. I searched the forum and couldn't find help on this specific issue.

I took my Etype down a couple weekends ago. Battery was dead and I hadn't turned the engine in almost a year. My bad, been crazy busy. I was in a bit of a rush, so I jump started it, put it out in the sun, and let it run for a bit while I went back inside. It started right up like usual and I've never had a cooling issue before.

I come back outside and the thing was steaming and shooting water/antifreeze straight down under the engine block (generally, didn't pinpoint it). Still had the choke on. Can't recall if the fan had come on or not. Never seen it do anything like that before. I am at higher altitude (Denver).

Any recommendations on what to look for? I can't seem to figure it out.

[rswaffie]

Check the lower rad hoses, water pump hoses for splits or loose clamps. Then check the rad for leaks.

[abowie]

A few questions.

Did the car actually overheat on the gauge?
Did you top the coolant up before starting the car?
Where exactly is the coolant coming out?
Did your thermostatic fan come on? Was it running at the time the coolant was ejected?

[Wickens]

Check the lower rad hoses, water pump hoses for splits or loose clamps. Then check the rad for leaks.

Cheers, will do that tomorrow.

[Wickens]

A few questions.

Did the car actually overheat on the gauge?
Did you top the coolant up before starting the car?
Where exactly is the coolant coming out?
Did your thermostatic fan come on? Was it running at the time the coolant was ejected?

Don't know. Was a bit panicked and just shut it off and tried to get under the hood to see instead of looking at the gauges.
No.
It's not leaking right now. It stopped leaking a bit after I shut off the engine.
I don't recall. Again, was a bit shocked to see what was going on and wasn't thinking clearly.

Super helpful I know.

[abowie]

Let us know when you know the answers.

[peters3103]

Perhaps the cooling fan didn’t come on and it overheated resulting in purging from the overflow hose?

[Robbiee]

[Wickens]

Sorry for the super slow response. Got busy again, but had a look at it yesterday.

Got it up on the lift and discovered I've also developed a full leak between the filter and the carbs, so I gave up and got it towed to a mechanic.

[Wickens]

In case anyone is interested, here is what the mechanic said.

There was no coolant system leak at all. Fans didn't come on due to a connection breakdown at the fuse box. Just regular high pressure overflow.

Fuel leak was carb diaphragm failing after 25 odd years of service. Took the opportunity to have ethanol resistant ones installed in all 3.

Total bill was just over $1,500 with some minor additional work (check brakes, install rear diff breather, new battery).

[abowie]

Always good to hear what the actual problem was. Thanks for the follow up post.

[Richardhealey]

[peters3103]

In the scheme of things, a good result and not too costly.