Triumph Repair: 1974 spitfire overheating, head gasket problem, radiator shop

Question
The car is running very hot. In just a few miles the temp gauge shows car running at last hash on gauge almost maxed out. I turn the heater on and can lower the temp in order to get back to the garage. Checked all fluids they are good. Any suggestions on best place to start

Answer
Hi Jay,

First you should establish that it is really hot and not a gauge problem by just either using a temp gun on the upper out let at the thermostat and compare that to the gauge reading. If you don't have a temp gun use a household meat thermometer into the coolant.

If it is really hot you should get the dye from any parts store to put in the coolant and watch the color change (as per instructions on the container)

If it shows CO in the coolant then you have a head gasket problem. If no CO is present you should start looking at the cooling system. I usually check the thermostat first then if that is ok and not a hot unit (printed on the end)meant for very cold areas.

If all that is correct then you need to look at the lower hose to see if it has an inner liner come loose or an water pump impeller loose on the shaft or you may even need to have a radiator shop flow test the radiator for a possible repair.

Howard