jiggawhat2k Posted March 19, 2020 Report Share Posted March 19, 2020 I'm in the process of putting a different engine into my Herald, I've been removing everything around the block now (carbs, exhaust manifold and the rest of it). Now I see on the block there is a weird yellow leak from a hole within the block. I bought the car with this engine in it already. The previous owner of the Herald had bought the engine from a person off Ebay who advertises rebuilt engines for Triumphs, you'll spot them as they have the distinctive blue (or sometimes green) metallic painted block. I got it running a handful of times, it had over-heating issues from the beginning and then totally seized after a 1 hour run. Has a spitfire 1500 engine. I have questions I hope you might be able to answer: What is that hole? why is it leaking stuff? Is it missing a plug? Any idea what the yellow crusty stuff is? Could it be coolant and oil mixed and dried (as hasn't run for a while)? I suspect the current block is toast what with it being totally seized (can't crank at all despite trying all the methods), so will be installing a 2nd hand engine I've got hold of. Just interested to know what went wrong so I can avoid it again. Thanks in advance!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted March 19, 2020 Report Share Posted March 19, 2020 the hole is for the block coolant drain tap or plug the yellow stuff might be some cleaning /corrosive agent used in the cooling at some time, I have no idea Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Flinn Posted March 19, 2020 Report Share Posted March 19, 2020 That looks like the position of the Drain Tap for draining off coolant? It looks like someones removed the Drain tap. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougbgt6 Posted March 19, 2020 Report Share Posted March 19, 2020 Yes it's the drain tap, it's a reservoir in the block for the coolant, it's the lowest point in the block cooling system so lots of crude collects here. You can dig it out with a small screwdriver, some models have a tap, others just a bolt. Doug 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thescrapman Posted March 19, 2020 Report Share Posted March 19, 2020 I wonder if that Is some sort of leak sealant that has been added to reduce any issues following the rebuild. Not necessary on a decent rebuild perhaps. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppyman Posted March 19, 2020 Report Share Posted March 19, 2020 Many years ago they used mustard powder to seal rad leaks. wonder if it's that?? Tony. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorkshire_spam Posted March 19, 2020 Report Share Posted March 19, 2020 Spitfire 1500 has a blanking plug rather than a tap fitted to that hole. If coolant isn't peeing out then I'd bet the block is stuffed up solid with silt/sand/rust/crud. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jiggawhat2k Posted March 19, 2020 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2020 Thanks for the replies guys, so it didn't have a blanking plug in there at all, and was run without water leaking from it for the time I had it. So I was stupid not to see that it didn't have the plug, but also not great that the car ran with no plug and it didn't leak cos of all the dirt in there. Annoying the block wasn't cleared properly, but no ones responsibility but my own for not flushing it properly once I got it. Live and learn!! Thanks all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jiggawhat2k Posted March 19, 2020 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2020 2 hours ago, poppyman said: Many years ago they used mustard powder to seal rad leaks. wonder if it's that?? Tony. HA I did not know that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jiggawhat2k Posted March 19, 2020 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2020 2 hours ago, thescrapman said: I wonder if that Is some sort of leak sealant that has been added to reduce any issues following the rebuild. Not necessary on a decent rebuild perhaps. I do have some question marks over the quality of the rebuild, it never felt right even from the beginning... Ebay, sometimes it's great, sometimes it isn't, part of the fun I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Truman Posted March 19, 2020 Report Share Posted March 19, 2020 knock out a welsh/core plug from under the exhaust pipe and have a good gander, even use a remote camera, some club member is sure to have one. Peter T 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now