Hot Day, Caterham Overheated at the Track

[blubarisax]

Just watched the video of the overheating. Temp was only about 100 C when the overflow tank puked out coolant. Headed to the shop tomorrow.

[ihckb2]

This may be a little off the topic but is referenced to overheating.

Has anybody used the EVANS waterless coolant?

[Croc]

Yes I have used Evans. I ran it in my previous yellow Caterham more as an experiment than anything else. I like the idea that you can have a non-pressuirzed system and that the cooling effectiveness seems to extend to lowering oil temps slightly (important to me at the time). On the downside, it is expensive especially when you consider you have to use the prep fluid. Also if you lose any coolant then you can only replace with Evans - no mixing with water or other regular coolant mixes. It is also a no go for track work.

 

My mechanic swears by it for older cars as his experience is that the cooling is more effective for keeping block temps down plus you have the anti-corrosive benefits.

 

I dont run in my current Caterham and have not felt the need to other than for possibly indirectly lowering oil temp which to my mind run too high relative to water temp.

[blubarisax]

So, here is what I did to the motor when it overheated. The strap of the spark plug burned off and bounced around a bit in the motor causing some minor damage to the head. Fortunately, we were able to clean it up OK.

 

http://i913.photobucket.com/albums/ac336/blubarisax/IMAG2030_zpsdfb93bef.jpg

 

http://i913.photobucket.com/albums/ac336/blubarisax/IMAG2032_zpsfe8e78e0.jpg

[yellowss7]

So was the Head Gasket the issue or not? Boy those valves look huge!

 

Tom

[Kitcat]

Karl: Yr definetly livin right, sure cudda been a lot worse, particuarly given you ran two more sessions after the original issue occured.

[yellowss7]

Karl, and Mike, here is your next carbon upgrade. Who's going to have them first. :jester:

[blubarisax]

They sure beat the heck out of my carbon fiber steering rod wraps.

[blubarisax]

So was the Head Gasket the issue or not? Boy those valves look huge!

 

Tom

 

Head gasket looked OK. I replaced it anyway, as well as the ARP head studs.

 

I still suspect it just overheated due to air in the cooling system.

[jlumba81]

Also check to make sure the spark plugs are gapped propperly.

[S1Steve]

Karl, and Mike, here is your next carbon upgrade. Who's going to have them first. :jester:

 

Total Maddness....... but very pretty......

[yellowss7]

Oh I guess I should have added the price. approx. $12,000 dollars!!!!:willy_nilly::willy_nilly::willy_nilly:

[blubarisax]

Not too bad!

[blubarisax]

Problem solved. Removed the unused heater hose (heater taken out for lightness). Ran all day in 95 degrees. Also set the ecu to run just a little richer and put in Iridium plugs.

 

The car seems no worse for the wear. Won the Time Trials today with IMG Racing.

[yellowss7]

I stopped by the track to say Hello to Karl this afternoon. He was running really well. I watched him just embarrass a 2010 GT3. Starting out together, after 4 laps Karl had opened up a gap of over 20 seconds. Poor guy never could figure out why he couldn't catch Karl.:jester::jester:

 

Tom