-
Hey Guest!
British Car Forum has been supporting enthusiasts for over 25 years by providing a great place to share our love for British cars. You can support our efforts by upgrading your membership for less than the dues of most car clubs. There are some perks with a member upgrade!**Upgrade Now**
(PS: Upgraded members don't see this banner, nor will you see the Google ads that appear on the site.)
Hey - did you know if you click on the title of a thread it will take you to the first unread post since you last visited that thread?
but were afraid to ask: 
STOP!! Never post your email address in open forums. Bots can "harvest" your email! If you must share your email use a Private Message or use the 
smilie in place of the real @
Pretty Please - add it to our Events forum(s) and add to the calendar! >> 
TR2/3/3A Spigot
- Thread starter davjac889
- Start date
Share this page
TR3driver
Great Pumpkin - R.I.P
Offline
In theory, it lets you drain the coolant from the engine block. It won't all run out if you just drain the radiator.
But they frequently get blocked with crud and won't flow. You may need to stick a piece of wire or even a small drill bit into the hole and dig through the crud to strike water. However, it's a good idea to do that occasionally, as too much crud buildup may let #4 cylinder run too hot. The crud also keeps the coolant from flowing around #4 cylinder as it should. So you should also open the valve when you flush between coolant changes, and flush out as much crud as possible.
But they frequently get blocked with crud and won't flow. You may need to stick a piece of wire or even a small drill bit into the hole and dig through the crud to strike water. However, it's a good idea to do that occasionally, as too much crud buildup may let #4 cylinder run too hot. The crud also keeps the coolant from flowing around #4 cylinder as it should. So you should also open the valve when you flush between coolant changes, and flush out as much crud as possible.
TR3driver
Great Pumpkin - R.I.P
Offline
The starter gets wet every time you drive in the rain anyway, so shouldn't be a big deal. I actually soldered a piece of thinwall brass tubing to my spigot, so I could temporarily install a hose and keep it from splashing all over the starter. But I usually don't bother, as it doesn't seem to actually hurt anything.
M
Member 10617
Guest
Guest
Offline
As a routine maintenance measure, could you also just open it for a few moments now and then and make sure coolant comes out? That should keep it from getting plugged up.
Don Elliott
Obi Wan
Offline
I add about 20% antifreeze to 80% DI water for my coolant and in 111,000 miles during the last 23 summers, I have never gotten that spigot to a cruddy condition where it blocked up. I got some rusty-looking coolant out a few times, but it always flowed nicely. The antifreeze seems to help prevent the rust accumulating. Why only 20% ? Because I read that water has a better heat transfer coefficient than a 50/50 mix. Also my car is stored every winter in my heated garage where it always stays above 55 deg F.
M
Member 10617
Guest
Guest
Offline
Who ever said these cars are "simple"? On a pretty consistent basis, I discover something new about the car. Today I learned about the water tap (spigot) on the side of the engine block. I mentioned earlier that I was putting together a manual to supplement the published ones. To date, it fills seven large three-ring binders!
Not complaining, however, because (a) the car IS simpler than modern, computer-driven vehicles, and (b) it's an interesting education.
As for the spigot, I now plan to drain it whenever I flush out the coolant (about every two years because I have an aluminum radiator).
Not complaining, however, because (a) the car IS simpler than modern, computer-driven vehicles, and (b) it's an interesting education.
As for the spigot, I now plan to drain it whenever I flush out the coolant (about every two years because I have an aluminum radiator).