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MGA too hot

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Sopwith_Camel

Sopwith_Camel

Jedi Knight
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well im over heating.
the thermostat pops at the right temp. i tested it on the stove.
I have put on an electric fan.
its above normal 200. at speed but in trafic it spikes to 220.
and when I park it spits out is radiator. living on top of a hill dosent help.

so what do i try next?
 
I don't know much about the "A" specifically, but what you're describing sounds like a circulation issue. I'd start by making sure the water pump is pumping properly. Over 200 seems high for normal highway running. All my "B"s would start temp climbing in traffic but come right back down when running on the highway. I'd check the accuracy of the gauge but if the radiator starts puking coolant from the overflow when switched off the gauge is probably telling the truth.

These things weren't really designed for the kind of climates we often see here in the USA, the radiator is pretty small. But at 35+ mph there should be enough air moving through to keep it cool, even with no fan (I had a 1977 "B" with dead electric fan motors, as long as you kept moving it was fine even with no fan). Which is why I suggest circulation issues - either weak water pump or some sort of corrosion blockage.
 
thats sort of what ive been thinking.
the temp gauge was refurbed in england last year when I first bought the car.
so radiator flush??
then a water pump replacement if the flush dosent improve things.
yeah it dosent get too hot here in summer but it is the hot days you want the convertible.
 
Radiator flush seems a good place to start, and is a good low-cost, low effort option.
 
A good flush won't hurt anything at all - if you can flush the block as well as the radiator even better. Just seeing what the coolant looks like coming out could be informative - if it looks brown and has sediment settle out when sitting in a jar or glass for a while, then you can be pretty sure there is corrosion in there somewhere.
 
well the car is almost 80 corrosion is a given.
ouch just looked at the price of uprated radiators. yep a coolent flush is worth the time an effort.
 
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