Update - for my own benefit as much as anyone else's.

Collected the car Saturday morning, situation unchanged. The expansion tank cap was hard to remove (a well-known problem, I later found out).

Going back in this morning for new cap and - I think from looking at various forums etc. - best to get the water pump changed. I was a bit tempted to do it myself (pump's about £60) but TBH I've lost enthusiasm over the years from doing my own cars.

I wonder if I'm being unreasonable in losing a bit of confidence in my Indy. He's got a lot busier now, does MoTs, tyres, etc., and has taken on extra staff. When he does the work himself, it's fine, but it's increasingly difficult to deal with him rather than one of his team, and I'm not convinced that they listen when I describe symptoms. I wonder if they're doing the quicker simpler turn-round jobs with a higher profit margin. Makes business sense, of course, but may lose some customers. (I've never baulked at paying any bills, confident that they would be justified and reasonable).

Car first went in a week ago. Overheating, no coolant loss, no heat output from heater, rad staying cold. Bit disappointed that the diagnosis has taken so long, and also car handed back twice unfixed, especially as my standing instruction is to spend what it takes but give me a call if it's going to get stupid.

It's increasingly difficult to find a good Indy, and those that are good may have a tendency to take on so much that they lose the points that make them attractive in the first place.

(I've just found out that my milkman's son is a Ford mechanic who does hobbles - may have a chat with him depending on what happens today).

Jag's are easy to blead as there is a bleed point right next to the bulkhead. The temp not reach the central point could be a faulty sender or that the thermo stat had been sticking for a while.

I guess the pump with plastic fins may well be the cause and it's sad the Indy didn't pick this up.

I've pressure washed my engine bays before but am selective where the water goes, try and avoid drive belts, avoid anything with bearings like alternator and water/power steering pumps and obviously avoid anything delicate and electrical, might be worth wrapping the obvious things in plastic bags before doing the deed.

Even lorries subject to massive miles in all weathers have embossed labels under the bonnet (lift up grill) warning you to avoid ECU's and other such things with washers, recently my own vehicle went in for allegedly normal service item of fully cleaning radiators...the vehicles are well known for cooling issues...they are supposed to remove the radiators for weighing before and after cleaning out to ensure the job is done right (yes i think its cobblers too, money spinner) however they obviously steam cleaned through the things in situ because later in the week a loud rattling started up, limped it in and lo and behold the auxilliary drive belts tensioners and idlers had run dry bearings due no doubt to hot pressure washing them out...aha caught you out..:)

PS, yes cars have souls that is without a doubt, treat them well and they repay you in spades.

Edited by gordonbennet on 22/03/2016 at 20:25

I've only ever used a pressure washer on my old trials car when it's come home plastered in mud. I'll never use one under the bonnet under any circumstances - I've heard too many stories of water getting where it shouldn't. Wheel bearings seem particularly vulnerable.

A friend's water leak problem turned out to be him using a pressure washer. When doing the sills, water was getting past the door seal at the bottom of the door.

Thanks for the advice.

I have put the steam cleaner away for another year. 2017 may be the year of the clean oven and shower (possibly).

Cheers.