Mort Posted May 26, 2016 Share Posted May 26, 2016 From me:-Bog standard 2005 Rover K Series 1.4 Classic. EU3. 14000 miles.Caterham branded fully synthetic oilCaterham branded OAT coolantCaterham supplied oil filterOil and filter changed annually, irrespective of mileage Foam changed annually, irrespective of mileage. Sump gasket changed annually.Road use only - "enthusiastic" driving, but not 'lunatic' modeCar purchased at 5 years old and 2000 miles. Rarely used by previous owner. Oil changed once during original ownership.Original foam found to be in good condition, but changed anyway, along with oil and filter (see above). Subsequently foam has been in good condition when changed.Coolant changed upon purchase. Changed again when silicon hoses fitted. Changed again when clutch replaced.All work carried out initially by Caterham, but now by independent Caterham specialists SPY Motorsport (highly recommended!).Approx 3000 miles per year initially, now down to a shameful 1000 miles per year following MX5 purchase.if you need any more info then let me know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
21jigsaw Posted June 16, 2016 Share Posted June 16, 2016 Hi, I have taken 2 pieces of foam, placed 1 in OAT and 1 ethylene glycol coolant brought to the boil and simmered for 20 minutes now on the shelf in the garage soaking. Been soaking for 22 days now No swelling , shrinking or deterioration . Coolant does not appear to have an adverse effect.Back in the oven thermocouple embedded in the center of the foam120 deg c OKin steps of 10 deg cfelt slightly course in texture at 160 deg cContinued to 255 deg c. although softer. no delaminationThe elastomer on the head gasket fails 250 deg c .Degradation start around the 200 deg c.No closer to the cause of failure!!!!!Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted June 16, 2016 Member Share Posted June 16, 2016 I wasn't optimistic but congratulations on doing the experiment.What was the product you tested as "OAT coolant"?Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mucus72 Posted June 17, 2016 Share Posted June 17, 2016 Survey responses from me:Only cars with foam fitted or suffered foam failure (foam fitted, no failures) engine size 1.6 approx bhp 150 have you suffered overheating issues / airlock etc. Y/N One airlock once, fixed via drilling hole in thermostat appollo / laminova fitted Y/N Y wet sump only Y/N Y Type of running :- gerenal road Y track day Y racing N Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john milner Posted June 17, 2016 Share Posted June 17, 2016 Foam no longer fitted or failed so this relates to up until it was removed:engine size = 1800 VVC approx bhp = 160 have you suffered overheating issues / airlock etc. N appollo / laminova fitted N wet sump only Y - (BTW I don't think that foam is used with dry). Type of running :- general roadBinned 20,450 miles after about four changes in eight years. No problems with it at all just playing it safe.Oil grades 5/40 and/or 5/50 full synth, Comma and Carlube.Red coolant from Caterham. Probably Comma Xstream.No coolant top-ups or significant oil usage.cooling related failures / issues during this period . N any major engine issues N Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlesElliott Posted June 18, 2016 Share Posted June 18, 2016 Try putting in a mixture of engine oil and coolant.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anton Posted June 18, 2016 Share Posted June 18, 2016 Only cars with foam fitted or suffered foam failure engine size 1800cc Rover K approx bhp 140 have you suffered overheating issues / airlock etc. N appollo / laminova fitted N wet sump only Y Type of running :- general road in all weather conditions 365 daya a year - over 60,000 miles in 4 years The following questions are for Foam failure only approx age of foam in months year of foam failure approx milage before failure oil grade type and brand used. coolant type and brand used. did coolant require top up during this period that the foam was fitted. cooling related failures / issues during this period . Y/N any major engine issues / work carried out prior to foam failure. Y/NNote oil was Syner Z every 6,000 miles, new foam every 12,000, coolant required topping up around once a month, but oil never needed topping up between services. Coolant loss was caused by a leaking valve and heater matrix. Both replaced, valve still leaks a little. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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