TR6 TR6 with overheating problem - what to inspect

[tdskip]

Hi guys - I'm checking out a TR6 for a friend that apparently has an overheating problem. She runs and drives, but after a short trip runs into the red and the the PO shuts her down and towed her home.

Is there a punch list of items to check to see if any long-term damage has occurred?

I was planning on checking;

1) coolant level and flow
2) timing
3) mixture
4) compression

How would I quickly check to see if the head warped, or is there other issues to inspect first?

 

[trboost]

You did not mention the thermostat. That would be #1 on my list. Cast iron block & head are more difficult to warp but it certainly is possible. An easy check would be to remove the radiator cap & look for bubbles.

Check for a collapsed radiator hose, clogged radiator or even a worn radiator cap. Many times a radiator shop will install a 7lb cap on recondtioned units. Of course this all asumes the gauge is correct.

 

[Brosky]

I agree with checking the stat first.

A quick look for head gasket will be sweet smelling white smoke out the tailpipe or bubbles in the radiator.

 

[TR3driver]

Very first thing I'd look at (given that description) is whether it actually overheated or not ! Those gauges are notoriously inaccurate; which can be aggravated by a defective voltage stabilizer (or loss of ground to the stabilizer), or a recently replaced temperature sender (many aftermarket senders don't match the originals), or even a bad ground between engine & battery.

 

[Andrew Mace]

Get an infrared, or even a cooking, thermometer and check out the coolant temp. Of course, while doing that, you might find that the coolant level is low and/or things are clogged up a bit. Then proceed on with the other suggestions given. Regardless of what you find, I'd think this would be an excellent time to drain, thoroughly flush and refill the system once whatever problem has been found and rectified!

 

[poolboy]

Yeah. And, to me, an overheated engine has a certain smell and just feels hot.

 

[tdskip]

Thanks guys!

 

[brent615]

Add a bottle of Water Wetter to the radiator. That knocked my temp gauge down 10-15% in the heat of the summer last year.