First real problem in 4 1/2 years!

I have had my TF steppy for 4 1/2 years, and taken the mileage from 48K to 92K, without any real problems.



Water temp gauge has been rock solid, always coming to a tad below the half way line - until this evening!



After 75 miles of mostly motorway driving, I noticed on the slip road queue that the water temp needle had moved - it was now a smidgen under the line (2 smidgens = 1 tad in imperial units) - and it stayed there.



I was intending to visit the petrol station a mile down the road, so continued - with no change in the reading.



Pulled in, opened the boot and the tank was almost full of liquid - and the area around the cap was moist / almost wet....



Filled up and paid, got back in, and drove off. The gauge went back to "normal" and didn't move.... and at home 2 miles away the tank was back to normal.



So I did consider getting the head gasket changed, or just scrapping the car as it was now so unreliable.



Or I could have waited for Saint Russell to sort it out - he is coming in a couple of weeks for the full service / cam belt / water pump / pads.



But in the end I decided to be brave, and attempt a DIY repair with all the risks associated.



So I have ordered a new cap from Rimmers, and will reserve the entire weekend to replace the complete expansion tank cap all on my own.



Maybe it was simply venting a little "over pressure" but I don't want to take the chance, as I hadn't noticed it had done this before.,, but I did have to top up the tank a little a few weeks ago, so maybe I have caught it before it goes "pop". I won't drive it until the new cap is on, just in case.



Maybe the fine weather has caught me out - I very nearly put the roof down for the drive home, but didn't quite decide to, but if the sun stays out....!

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