I had another customer who got a bad radiator. Good first step to remove thermostat element and see if that addresses it. I did have one thermostat that was opening too early (mis-marked I think, seemed to be a 160). If the element is bad of course the warranty is lifetime.

 

I completed a head gasket repair a few weeks ago, and so far everything has been solid except for one thing. When I completed the top end tear down, I cleaned everything very well. I now am seeing a little coolant bypass on the in-line mod. I really don’t know if it was there before; logic tells me it must have been since I didn’t even touch the inline piece and the hardware is still super tight.

I went with the silicone gasket upgrade recommended by some others on here in order to have a reusable item in case I wanted to swap around t-stats to find the best one by season.

My question is: has anyone else had any issues with coolant leaking out of the inline mod with the silicone/metal upgraded gaskets?

Also, to be very clear, I’m not saying there is an issue with the inline mod - it keeps my ‘03 running sooo much cooler. But given that I learned about the reusable gasket here, I thought I’d ask. Also, I’ve never taken the inline mod apart since it was first installed.

 

Can you take a video with it running at temperature? The traces look like it is coming from the gasket, however I think I have had about a 1% occurence rate of some porosity in the casting where they will leak through the aluminum (weird I know, buying Motorad castings too, best I can find). Its all Lifetime warranty, so happy to send replacement to get you squared away.

 

Thanks for the quick response, Extinct. Sure thing, I’ll try to do that in the next day or two. One thing to note (and which I forgot to mention before) is that, as far as I can tell, it’s only when the engine is running under higher RPMs, and presumably higher pressure from the pump. I watched it idling for over half an hour after I did the head gaskets (first time nerves), and I’ve only seen evidence of it after higher-rev test drives. I haven’t yet seen it actually happening. So this will be a good chance to confirm my suspicions.

 

@CODisco I can help I had a small leak with the silicone gasket, it was a fit issue, it can be a bit fiddly to get in exactly right.

 

Thanks, Richard, that’s kinda what I was wondering. It certainly makes sense that it could be a little fickle and causing the issue.

Extinct, I did try to film it leaking this morning (after coming to full temp), but I couldn’t get it to flow in all of the places that the water stains in the photos show it is leaking. I was only able to get a few drops to leak.

I will try to get a video later in the day tomorrow, once the whole engine compartment is hot, just to see if that makes a difference.

Thanks to you both for the help and suggestions.

 

Nice kit and well priced!
After installing and refilling the system I noticed my temps going up to 195 then quickly down to 170. Have the 180 thermostat. This happens within the space of a minute or two after warming up. The first couple of times I was thinking it was air in the system but it does it repeatedly. Is this normal for the new setup?

 

That does not happen to either of my discos.

 

I can confirm that definitely does not happen with my '03 with the 180° t-stat. Almost sounds like it the thermostat might be opening late, or perhaps installed backwards?

 

@jtz54 I can think of 2 things thermostat in backwards or the bypass hole at the bottom. My inline hits 185-186 as it warms up then drops to 177ish on the 1st thermostat open then cycles normally there after.