My townace Royal lounge 2.oTD gave up the ghost when we where in France last week and we had to get towed home. I think it's the head gasket but before I get ripped off at a garage I would like to know if anyone out there in Townie land knows why it suddenly started overheating with no warning. I emptied the overfill chamber many times back into the water tank and put more clean water in to top it up, it kept us going from South of France to Paris, then made too much noise for me to risk it any further. Any ideas?
- (#13028) Carl Thomas, 26 Aug 04 08:27
Hello Carl,
it might be just the radiator cap. Take it off and check the rubber seal, and replace it if it looks torn or worn. If its also tight getting it off then replace it. Once thats done, look for leaks anywhere in the engine bay. It has been suggested that its best to do this in the dark with a torch. Traveling that distance with an overheating problem may have caused, or it might be due to a cracked head. One sign of a craked head is black coolant. It will look darker and messy. Dip your finger in it and see it there are traces of black smudges that are difficult to wipe off.
- (#13028) dave Bright (Bournemouth), 26 Aug 04 08:47
Well the expansion tank should've been emptying itself back into the system, so that's a warning. But I think you need to tell us what symptoms you did observe - what sort of noise?
"Head gasket" is an easy conclusion to which to jump too quickly. Fill the system slowly, start it up with the rad cap off and see if any bubbles start to appear - or is there undoubtedly a "volcano" then? If no bubbles fit a new radcap and get the system to keep itself full be sucking back from the expansion tank - check every time it's cold.
- (#13028) Dave Mason (Sussex), 26 Aug 04 08:54
Thanks for the info Dave (Bournmouth) I will have a look tonight at the radiator cap. The coolant wasn't black which makes me think it might not be the head, also when I topped up the fluid the heater worked ok.
Thanks also Dave (Sussex) the noise it made was a very loud tapping, louder than when you first tick it over to get it warmed up. I'll give your advise a go too.
Fingers crossed it's not the head. I'll keep you posted. Thanks again.
- (#13028) Carl Thomas, 26 Aug 04 10:34
Loose crankshaft pulley? This might explain the noise and lack of cooling.
- (#13028) Mark (Dover), 27 Aug 04 14:26
Doubt it, the waterpump runs off the timing belt, and you'd know about it if the fan wasn't turning at all.
I wonder if the tapping isn't infact a compression or exhaust leak?
- (#13028) David Miller, 28 Aug 04 03:00
Well, we've had a mech who knows about Townies have a look at it now and he is going to do a water pressure test to check there's no leaks. He also thinks that we need a new viscous fan but he is sure that the head gasket is fine. He is coming next week to do the test and give it an over haul. I have passed on all the ideas that you have all kindly given as to what it can be and he is going to try them all when he does the over haul. I'll let you know how things go on. Thanks again!
- (#13028) Carl Thomas, 9 Sep 04 13:43
Hi Carl, i have a good second hand viscous fan for a small sum
jim
adgo6@aol.com
- (#13028) j adgo, 9 Sep 04 15:25
I wonder if anyone can help.
My beloved Ace (Mastersurf 4wd diesel auto) suffered a major head gasket failure on the A1M yesterday.
Can any one help with advice about repair. Questions
Do I repair it or say goodbye? It is in very good nick. (H reg) I live in Guildford and if any one has good experience of a local mechanic I would be very grateful.
Would a replacement engine be better and if yes, where can I get hold of one?
I am not mechanically minded and having been fleeced in the past am very cautious so the more advice the better.
Thank you
Regards
Jit Lim
- (#13028) Jit Lim, 13 Sep 04 11:38
Thanks to all of you who gave me your ideas etc regarding what I thought was head gasket trouble. You'll be relieved to know that it was'nt the head but the cam belt which has now been repaired. Also the viscous fan had stuck. But my beloved bus is up and running and is as beautiful as ever. Thanks to all who offered advise in my hour of need, it wa
s very much appreciated
- (#13028) Carl Thomas, 28 Sep 04 03:26
Jit. The head gasket change, with a head pressure test and skim, is a very straightforward job. Any good mechanic can carry this out but, you must have access to the engine manual Code RMO25E if you are not familiar with the engine. The manual can be ordered from you local Toyota dealer and it costs less than a tenner. Also various tests would have to be carried out to ascertain why the failure occurred. A new head gasket, the latest laminated type, plus the required head bolts will cost around £120/150. The head test/skim around £50/60.
This job is much more preferable than scrapping the vehicle or, going to the expense of a replacement engine. Labour charges depend on the repairer but, you might like to consider a DIY job with the help of a knowledgeable colleague. It is not difficult to do and there is much information in the archives
- (#13028) John Davis (Leics), 28 Sep 04 03:42