Still have cooling system problem

[Savinsam]

Since my last post about cracked head etc. I'm totally puzzled about my cooling system on my "22". After taking all expert advice & doing all suggested, my antifreeze still foams in radiator. Here's what I've done: boiled & tested radiator at rad shop, pressure tested the 4 cylinders to see if air could be bubbling in radiator, water pump works fine, had head shaved by engine professional, installed new gasket with recommended copper spray adhesive, torqued bolts as book instructs. Block appears good shape, nice & clean before gasket install. Install 50% anti freeze solution, start engine & run 1/3 throttle for 20 minutes - bingo, foam in radiator! Engine does not overheat, no water in oil pan. One person asks if water pump could be sucking air? I don't know- wouldn't it leak water if it was? Any good ideas appreciated! Thanks, Sam

 

[DavidP, South Wales]

Hi Sam,
You have not mentioned anything about the bores. Have you done a standard compression test? If you have pressurised the cylinders individually was each piston at BDC? Don't know whether you have standard block or dry or wet liners. Is there any possibility that a bore could be cracked or corroded through to the water jacket?
Even through a liner if fitted. You seem to have covered everything else.
DavidP, South Wales

 

[Savinsam]

DavidP. As a matter of fact I did not check each cylinder at BDC. I will do that tomorrow. I'll also do a running compression check again. Thanks for the tip. BTW, has any body had any success using any type of block sealer to seal a block leak? I remember as a kid running an old junker 6 cyl. Chevy around the farm. I forgot to drain the water and the block cracked. I poured rolled oats into the hot water system & it healed!Many more hours of torturing that old car!

 

[Danperkins]

If no water is getting into the crankcase, and nothing is blowing out of the radiator overflow, and the engine doesn't over heat. I don't think you have any problem. Maybe there are some pockets of air in the engine when you initally filled it with coolant, which turns to foam when you run the engine. I would top off the radaitor if needed after it cools down. Then keep checking it. As long as you don't have to keep adding coolant, you should be ok.

 

[DavidP, South Wales]

Sam,
I suggested that because we had a similar problem with an MF 595 some years ago. We found a small crack in the liner about halfway down. When the liner was removed there was a hole in the block about the diameter of a pencil. The liner had rusted through from the outside. The owner was quite happy to have a short engine fitted. Not had any experience with block sealers always preferred to replace the items.
DavidP

 

[Savinsam]

danperkins, problem is: yes I do lose fluid with the foaming out of overflow. Thanks for the advice though. I wish it was only doing what you've suggested. Sam

 

[garvas]

Check cap for correct pressure.

 

[msb]

Think I would try a different brand of antifreeze.

 

[Anonymous-0]

napa sells a good sealer called mendtite. have used on internal and external leaks. may or may not solve your problem but if it does its a cheap fix. larry