SNAP-ON

iTrader: (1)

i have just checked the water level and noticed the expansion bottle water level was at the bottom so i topped it up . then i noticed water sray marks on the driverside inner wing and all over the back of the headlight , s h i t , took the grill out and noticed a hairline crack in the rad facing towards the front . the car has been running fine and not overheating at all and didnt notice this when i took the rad out end of december to do my crank seal and cambelt so it has just started to happen !temp gauge always sits halfway . will any damage have been caused by the bottle being low with water or have i caught it at the right time??? as im not gonna use now till i get a new rad ! my do they crack ? as ive heard its a common problem with the classics !

andy97

iTrader: (1)

Be very careful, that the rad doesn't start to lose coolant more quickly. change the rad asap as the temperature indicator is not a good guide to how hot the coolant/cylinder head has got.

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

Well as long as it didn't over-heat, the it should be fine. My gauge did start to rise when I suffered the exact same problem in my old sti.
Just change the rad as soon as you can, it should only take you an hour to fit.

jaytc2003

iTrader: (1)

yeah the temp gauge isnt very good, it will read at the normal level I think up until about 120c and at that stage there would be a very good chance of damage, however with what you have said you should be fine