Team Sanddodgers

Having tried to sluice the radiator, we’re running out of excuses for our overheating problems other than the Head Gasket. There’s exhaust gas blowing through the radiator and plenty of water coming out the exhaust (ie the wrong way round!).

So having found a friendly mechanic in SE london, I took the car for a risky journey across london. a 1 hour journey took 3, including 4 stops to let the engine cool off a bit & re-fill the cooling system which was loosing over a litre of water per mile travelled!

Happily we didn’t get stranded on the Hammersmith flyover, but during stop #3 in Vauxhall, I was re-filling the coolant yet again, when an Ambluance pulled up beside me - Did the car really look in that bad a state to require the emergency services?!

In fact, they had broken down and rolled to a standstill beside the mighty Saab (now somewhat dwarfed by the ambulance with lights-a-flashing). So I ended up helping then push their 3 tonne beast to the side of the road to await rescue! They weren’t too keen on trading up from the ambluance to the Saab, but having finished topping up the radiator, I headed on home and eventually made it to Brockley to rest for the night.

Thanks again to Brian the Paramedic for the chat and good wishes

Will update soon with progress on the repair work…