Re: Motometer and loose fit/leaking water.

Posted by Lew Palmer on Oct. 15, 1998 at 20:45:58

In Reply to: Motometer and loose fit/leaking water.
posted by J.R. Aiello on Oct. 15, 1998 at 13:47:56

: Ah, more of the simple questions.
: I have a motometer on my '30 Sport Coupe. When it gets warm, and the engine gets into high rpms, I get green foam coming out of the neck of the radiator. I really thought there was something wrong. Sprayed the radiator shell, windshield, everything. I have water/anti-freeze inside, so I guess that's where the color comes from.
: I installed a new gasket between the cap and radiator neck, and a new one between the cap and the motometer. There seemsed to be a cork gasket up under the motometer upper part but I couldn't find a replacement for that, just the neoprene red on the goes on top of the lower half (above the hex screws). The problem is, the meter seem loose when I close it on the cap, like the red gasket isn't sealing. My father-in-law says it's the clips on the meter. "All you have to do is bend them down gently with a hammer so it pulls the cap down farther." AHHHH!
:
: I have two questions:
: 1. Is this green foam normal, but just usually inside the radiator, Or do I have oil (from the engine) or grease (from the water pump) getting into the water?
: 2. Do I need to replace that cork sealer, not just the red ring, or should I do like he said (horrors) and bend the clips down to make it fit tighter? I really have reservations about doing that. I hear these are expensive, and hard to find accessories.
: Thanks in advnace for the help and patience.
: J.R.
Hi J R, I agree with Jack, the motor meter, or any radiator cap should not leak where it seals, either at the neck of the radiator,or where the two parts of the motor meter meet. I also agree that it should be a snug fit. I had this problem and I solved it this way. After determining that it was really leaking at that red fiber washed, I started looking for a shim that I could place beneth the red washer, and I discovered that the brass shims that are used on the gas guage are a perfect fit. I placed one shim under the red washer, then tried the cap for looseness. I think I ended up with 2 shims before I was finally satisfied with the fit. I then removed the red washer, and the 2 shims and used a small amount of RTV sealant, then reasembeled the 2 shims and red washer, let everthing set up over night, filled the radiator, and went for a ride. Success,no more leak, and the cap was tight. You might have to experiment to get the fit you want. Lew

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