Hi Traveling back today From Oban ,My ToyotaLite Ace H Reg ,Blew The cap off the expansion tank behind Drivers seat ,hot water all over engine, After cooling + refilling 13 miles down the road same again,
AA Rescue to Take us Home.
Any ideas what the problem could be, I read most of the forum messages , This site is most helpful.
Alan Blades. - (#830) alan blades, 19 Aug 01

Alan, could be Bad News- replace the rad cap before you do anything else. Is the fan running OK?
Did the temp guage show high?
If the cap doesn't cure it, it's probably Head Gasket time... - (#832) David Miller, 19 Aug 01

AFAIK antifreeze raises boiling point of the coolant and allows the engine to be relatively tolerant of heat spots through faults such as Dave Miller suggests - If the ratio to water becomes too weak - then the engine will become decreasingly tolerant and more likely to 'boil'.
Thus, replenishing with neat water after the first 'boil over' might prompt a re-boil with even more drama and stage effects than the first. It was good to get AA help rather than limp home. Big damage can be done by allowing to run whilst boiling OR by putting cold coolant directly into a 'boiling' engine. If this theory has value then the hope is that the sudden boiling was caused by dilution of the coolant in connection with say a weak fan coupling or faulty cap as opposed to head-gasket failure. There is hope that the gasket hasn't blown as a consequence of the boiling over . .
After my experience I now top up with antifreeze and carry a litre of antifreeze in the van
Mark
P.s We were planning a trip to Mull for this week but weather forecast looks a bit naff. Norfolk I think . . - (#835) Mark Adams, 19 Aug 01

Thanks for the advice,I have replaced Rad cap + Thermostat , it took longer but still Boiled over in to Expansion Vessel, My Tempature gauge was not working at the time, My Liteace is 10 years old now and the temp gauge is one of these things to replace some time, Like now,
I had a quote from local garage for £130-£150.00
so booked in for next week. For Cylinder head Gasket.
Picture of van at abplumbing.fsnet.co.uk
I don't use it for plumbing now ,and have turn it it to camper van ,had some great weekends away, My lit-ace also just passed it's mot so it's worth it to spend another £150.00 ish
Thanks again AB - (#878) Alan Blades, 23 Aug 01

Total was £195 not to bad,
gasket blow at cylinder 1 mechanic said
AB - (#1007) Alan BLades, 4 Sep 01

Hi, I experienced the same problem with my masterace two years ago. After having the head gasket replaced I suffered again with overheating and replaced nearly everything on the cooling system. In desperation I had the head skimmed and a new gasket fitted - it worked a treat and I have had no problems since, over 50000 kms travelled. Suggest you get the head checked whilst it is off. - (#1280) Steve Vale, 22 Oct 01