Radiator Issues

[Winston Smith]

Don't know if anyone else has ahd any coolant issues, but a cursory message to all.

Had my GTR 22 months now, done 21k and been seviced per schedule.

When I got it I fitted a rad guard.

Checking it ready for my big trip next week and noticed green deposit all over the upper right of the radiator.

Into the dealers, had it pressure tested and no leak/puntures.

However, the centre third of the rad was encrusted with gunge - looked almost like concrete!

Having done all the checks etc, rad cap secure, all pipes and clips secure, rad cleaned it ran fine.

Concencus is that because the centre third was not cooling the coolant sufficiently, super hot coolant was entering the rad and creating pressure and the rad cap had let out the coolant under pressure.

Only logical explanation we coud come up with after looking at all other options.

So - I will ensure that I take the rad cover off avery month or so and clean the elements on the rad to prevent the build up of crud.

Rad guard has probably saved damage, however it hasn't let the road crud to wash away and has, probably, been responsible for it's retention!

All OK now and ready for Europe!

[Kwikasfuki]

Could that be caused by the guard not letting the radiator cool sufficiently?

[Lonewolf]

Winston, many thanks for that info. Something I'll keep a beedy eye on.

[Winston Smith]

Could that be caused by the guard not letting the radiator cool sufficiently?

No - it;s been on since I got it, spent last year is 40 degrees in slow moving traffic in Italy, year before similar for over an hour at 32 degrees around the Peripherique.

Pretty happy what caused it - crud caught between the rad and guard flicked up from front wheel. 

Yorkshire muck - that's what it is!

I won't fit a fender extender as the last one I used stressed and broke the front mud guard on my Blackbird

[Rusty]

Good work Winston .... have a great time in Europe !

[Winston Smith]

Certainly intend to m'lord!

[Boomer]

Have had a fenda-extenda fitted since a few weeks after I bought her.
Never fitted a rad-guard, have caught the extenda twice bumping down off kerbs and no damage to extenda or mudguard.
Radiator looks fine too and no cooling problems.

You have green goo on the roads in Yorkieshire?
Probably Whippet poo,...  <LOL>

[Therenback]

ta for heads up on rad, i use r & g cover on blade as well as kwak no issues with airflow to date.