whatever you do do not use tank water it is full of harmfull shite that will not do your engine any good ,, just think of all the bird crap gum leafs etc etc that are in rain water and if you dont belive me go and empty your rainwater tank and tell me if the sludge at the bottom is the stuff you want running around your motor .. also if your car is over heating and your thermostat and temp gauge are working as they should most people would be looking at the condition of the water pump and also removing the radiator and performing a simple flow test omn that before sending it away to be pulled apart and cleaned properly ,,

If nothing ends up coming out of the engine block drain hole, you would assume that there is nothing in there? Ive had a fair poke at it already and a tiny bit may have drained out, not much at all if it did. How far should a drill bit or whatever go in until its unblocked?

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1977 LEYLAND MINI SUNSHINE 'S'

While you've got the plug out, run the hose in the radiator and see if some comes out the drain

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In that case I will use distilled water. Thankyou.

I don't think it overheated. But i am wondering why only 1.5 liters has drained out.... so far, when it was full when i left Yea to go to bgo. There are no leaks from hoses etc, that i can see. Nothing has leaked onto the concrete during the week.

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1977 LEYLAND MINI SUNSHINE 'S'

Ok. Is it safe to flush with tank water?

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1977 LEYLAND MINI SUNSHINE 'S'

If it was full, then it would have to be going somewhere. If it is not leaking 'out' then you could have a blown head gasket and / or cracked head.

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I'd say so. It seems some tank water is clean (drinkable) and some is not. Pour it in a bucket first and have a look. I wouldn't worry too much about chemicals etc (as far as flushing goes), but just no gum leafs and kooka crap etc.

When you do finish flushing and your filling wth coolant, if your worried about the quality of the water (if your mixing coolant), use some bottled drinking water.

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Ok. What are some other symptoms of a blown head gasket/cracked head?

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1977 LEYLAND MINI SUNSHINE 'S'

Sometimes you can get water in the oil and vice-versa, but not always.

Take the rocker cover cap off and have a look at the underside of the cap. If it is white and creamy looking, then you have water in the oil and most likely a blown head gasket.

Have a look too at the underside of your radiator cap, if the is oilly looking possibly creamy then same as above.

If you have neither of the above, fill the radiator DO NOT PUT THE CAP ON TIGHT (let it vent so as it does not build up pressure) and run 'till up to operating temperature, CAREFULLY take the cap off and rev the engine. Look in the radiator, if it is bubbling again it could be a head gasket or it could also be water pump.

<EDIT> sometimes too you can see steam from the exhaust.

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For engine flushing :
I take the heater hose off the head takeoff point and attach a hose to that. I then take the bottom hose clamp off the radiator.
Turn the hose on to flush the block, then remove the rad cap and lightly replace the bottom hose (to prevent accidentally pressurising the system) to reverse flush the water through the bottom of the radiator and out through the cap, then put the cap on to push the water through the heater and out through the heater hose you initially removed.

Its pretty thorough and can be done without having to fill and refill the system. Nothing clears out the crud in the bottom of the engine block like removing the rear drain bolt however, you've gotta do that if you're doubtful its been done in years.

It doesn't replace a proper engine flush or radiator service, its just a neat way of flushing every centimeter of your system for old coolant.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

Thanks Mick. So your method does not involve running the engine at all?

I could use the flush concentrate with water to flush the system then do your method and to reverse flush it???

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1977 LEYLAND MINI SUNSHINE 'S'

No, never run the engine. There's no need to do that.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

Ok. Thanks everyone for your help!!!

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1977 LEYLAND MINI SUNSHINE 'S'

The drain hole is lower on the block than the water pump connection is.
If nothing came out, a space above it is full of rust, casting sand and other crud 40 years old.
As GT m said a small drill will sometimes clear it, but often not.
To really clean it (and the water jackets) properly the block needs to go in a stripping tank. Molasses and water mix (when stripped) will fix it too, but not if it's greasy in there. Read up on molasses, it's amazing stuff.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Ok thanks dr. What do they do if its greasy?

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1977 LEYLAND MINI SUNSHINE 'S'