Dave :
You didn't mention where the sensor for your electric fan is mounted ...
Most likely explanation is a bad thermostat. It won't prevent pressure from
getting to the radiator (after all, the lower hose is not blocked <g>), and
shouldn't have anything to do with your upper hose failing, but fits the
other symptoms you describe.
It's also worth checking out the 'reach' of your radiator cap and radiator.
Using an ordinary ruler, measure first from the lip inside the radiator
filler to the top of the filler, and then from the rubber gasket at the tip
of the cap to the top of the cap. Both measurements should be either 1/2"
or 3/4". (I believe 3/4" is correct for your car, but I have seen TR3
radiators with 1/2" necks. Ask Bob Reinhold about it at the next meeting
<g>)
A new hose shouldn't have been hurt by flexing, but one that has been on the
shelf for a long time might be.
One test for radiator restrictions is to drain the system, remove both
radiator hoses, and plug the upper fitting (the palm of your hand will do).
Then direct the stream from a garden hose (no nozzle) into the filler neck.
The radiator should be able to flow most, if not all, of the stream.
Randall
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-triumphs@autox.team.net
> [mailto:owner-triumphs@autox.team.net]On Behalf Of David Moag
> Sent: Friday, October 29, 1999 4:53 PM
> To: Triumphs Mailing List
> Subject: TR3: Another Hose Leak and other Cooling Issues
>
>
>
> Hello listers,
>
> Something is wrong here (probably the DCO). OK -- I had the
> top radiator
> hose go out this morning. Shortly after my email went down --
> so I went
> about replacing it before getting the suggestions of either
> loosening the
> radiator or removing the thermostat housing to make this
> easier. With some
> pushing and pulling and squeezing and twisting I was able to get the
> replacement on without doing either of them.
>
> So I fired it up and went for a 10 minute drive and back
> home. Parked and
> went in the house -- walked back out a few minutes later and
> the new hose is
> leaking!!! After 10 minutes of use!!!First question: could I
> have screwed it
> up by putting it through contortions to get it to fit?
>
> Second question: something seems amiss with my cooling in
> general. I added
> an electric fan with a thermostat, and it used to come on
> when the gauge is
> between 1/2 and 2/3. Now it doesn't come on at all. Maybe
> it's an electric
> issue (have not checked yet), but it also seems to me that
> the radiator is
> not getting hot enough. The thermostat must be opening
> (otherwise the top
> hoses couldn't keep breaking, right?) but I've just got a
> deep down feeling
> that I am not getting good circulation into and out of the
> radiator. The
> temp gauge is going much higher than it did before, and
> turning on the fan
> via my manual over-ride switch doesn't seem to have much effect on it.
>
> Any ideas what I may be dealing with here?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Dave Moag
> 62 TR3B (having one of those days)
> 77 Spitfire
>
>
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