[4x4 Outthere]

Hi Johan
That is my problem the tank keeps filling up and I get a White smoke in the mornings for a K or two. Reason is that it is most properly anti-freeze leaking in to combustion chamber. I did a test on my radiator by putting one end of a pipe in the radiator. Seal it as best as you can and put the other side in a coke bottle with clean water. Start the engine and check for bubbles. If you get bubbles then it is bad news.

[tonton]

Check out this old post on this topic: WHITE SMOKE

Anton

[JohanV]

this is very disconcerting as i also do tend to leave a trail of white smoke but not all the time.

It is due for a service and will have them look at it during the week

EDIT: we did a compression test on the radiator yesterday and all was fine.
Just to be safe i will have the oil send for testing also.

[Scubadude]

I would strongly advise others with high mileage to replace these as preventative maintanance. My Pajero has now done 238000k.

I'll second that ... my 2001 with 191k on the clock just popped a T-piece ... badly embrittled and cracked. Unless you can get a workshop to fabricate brass parts I'd suggest to replace the plastis bits every 90 000km with the cambelt.

As a matter of interest ... I only see two of these plastic unequal T's ... shouldnt there be 3?

[4ePikanini]

where are these t-pieces located? Picture?

[Lock]

Thanks guys, very interesting post. I had the same symptoms. (2002 3.2 with only 330 000 km’s) Sudden overheating on the way to Underberg (Sani Pass). Header tank was full, but took 3 litres to fill the radiator. Checked pipes, clamps, pump and what not, but no visible leaks or wet spots. Temp started going up again about 300 km’s later. Stopped and filled with anti freeze. Again the header tank was full, but took two litres of anti freeze. After this it was fine, with no overheating or loss of fluids. Drove it up Sani Pass into Lesotho and back to JHB. Had the radiator pressure tested and everything came back fine. Only thing not tested was the radiator cap, which I immediately replaced.

Two months later we went to Moz and on the way back the temp started going up again. No leaks, header tank full, and miserably cold out. Refilled radiator by blowing on the header tank overflow pipe. Big lungs! Stopped at the first opportunity and filled with anti freeze (1 litre). Overheated every 200 km or so on the way back to JHB and refilled with anti freeze, again one litre and water. Water vapour from exhaust, indicating the leak was internal and starting to look expensive. Diagnosed it as a blown head gasket, and took it to my local Tjorlapper. Cracked head!

Replacement heads = R 9 700 from dealer, +- R 7 000 from Mitso in Centurion and a staggering R 4 218 for a new unit from Components for Africa in Krugersdorp. (Felt like the chap in the Goldwagen add!) Second hand unit was quoted at R 2 700, but no guarantee. Been waiting for a head gasket kit for the last 2 weeks (no stock). All this will only resolve the symptoms and not the cause, so in the meantime I will replace the T pieces.

And yes, I know the cracked head is probably from refilling with cold water while the motor was hot. Patience is the name of the Tea Girl!

PS Rust visible in the top cylinder
PSS The marks on the cylinder head walls are teflon deposits.