Practically Classics Forum

No I'm happy it's quite normal temperature wise, just like Kevin's. GEts up to half way after a long hill climb or similar. I'll keep an eye on it but will get a compression test done at some stage. nO signs of any head gasket tell tales yet.

Steam came out of the bonnet today and I found a damp patch under the heater matrix pipes at the bulkhead. So now I know where the coolant has been going to. Ordered a pair of new pipes from Mx5 Parts so hopefuilly that's sorted our disappearing coolant.

So I took off the pipes and it was actually the brass pipe from the heater matrix that was squashed. I don't know how long it's been like that or if I did it or the last guy who did the water pump. Either way I'll fit the new pipes and try to "unsquash" the pipe using some PTF or something similar.

So I changed the pipes....... Jesus H Christ what an awful job. the outer pipe on the side of the block was ok ish, but I had to cut the old pipe off of the stub. The pipe at the back of the block however was evil. I cut the pipe to see better and have better access, no good. So i removed the washer bottle as well. Eventually got a grip on the spring hose clamp and removed it. Had to cut that pipe as well. Putting it back on was no easier, same problems in reverse. Slide on the pipe on the long stub and then position the spring clamp.
I used a jubilee clamp on the squashed heater matrix pipe, but first I had to cut nearly an inch and a half off the pipe to remove a kink.
Never again.