[zt190] overheat, then not, then overheat, then not ???

[Ivan]

oooooh ******!!! <<< my first thought!

basically this evening when on the M62, my temp gauge shot up, and the over temp warning came on the message centre so i pressed my clutch and free wheeled for abit (no traffic) .... then the temp shot down

i figured it "may" be a glitch due to the weather

so i let the clutch up and continued .... then suddenly up the temp came again :'( so i pulled over, checked the water, to find it near its MIN mark.

luckly for me i had some 2.5L (i got this wrong, was infact only 1L) of coolant in my car .... so i started topping it up and it easily took all 2.5L (i got this wrong, was infact only 1L)

now i had my water pump done some 4-5months ago (along with cambelts etc)

at this point i turned around and drove home.

due to all the rain etc i cannot see if i have sprung a leak
i couldnt see into the V so i am unsure of the thermostat etc
my exhaust is steamy, but then again the weather is kinda confusing it
this is the first time she has used a drop of coolant, and she has only done some 62K miles (2002)

any idea's on what/where to look etc? or is she goosed :'(

[Typhoon190]

Hi Ivan.

If it took the 2.5litres of coolant, it was a lot lower than the minimum mark I would say.

When did you last check the coolant level?

Things to check are thermostat and connecting plastic pipes.

Check on the waterpump side for any evidence of coolant loss.

The twin pipes that run on the subframe are prone to corrosion, so worth a good look over.

Any evidence of coolant being expelled from the cap?

Other than that, checking all the rubber pipes I guess.

Also worth checking the cooling fan operation, although on the motorway there should have been a need for it to come on other than the low coolant issue.

Hope you find the problem easily.

[Ivan]

Originally Posted by Typhoon190

Hi Ivan.

If it took the 2.5litres of coolant, it was a lot lower than the minimum mark I would say.

aye thats what i was thinking

Originally Posted by Typhoon190

When did you last check the coolant level?

errrrr good question .... i carnt remember, if i am honest, she has been the most reliable car i have ever owned

Originally Posted by Typhoon190

Things to check are thermostat and connecting plastic pipes

Check on the waterpump side for any evidence of coolant loss.

just been out and had a look, looks like there is evidence of some sort of liquid in the V .... water pump looks ok (its only 4months old), but will look in day light.

Originally Posted by Typhoon190

The twin pipes that run on the subframe are prone to corrosion, so worth a good look over.

which side are they on? if i look down on the aux belt side i can see liquid on the undertray, but this may be due to the weather etc.

Originally Posted by Typhoon190

Any evidence of coolant being expelled from the cap?

none but i have had this once long ago when i didnt screw the cap on tight.

Originally Posted by Typhoon190

Other than that, checking all the rubber pipes I guess.

Hope you find the problem easily.

same here thanks for the Info mate, appriciated

[Typhoon190]

Hopefully the water pump is fine. Mine hadn't been fitted correctly, and when my thermostat went, the pressure increase due to a similar temperature rise blew the seal.

The twin coolant pipes run pretty central along the subframe. I think they are in front of the rad, but can't remember for certain.

Most likely the thermostat.

[Jules]

Might be as simple as just low coolant
Did you check level at least twice after belts were done ?

See how it goes now but you should be checking all levels at least monthly!!!

[kaiser]

You haven't checked you coolant.
Therefore you haven't noticed your leak.
Likely from the thermostat.

And your refill has most likely not got rid of trapped air.

So now is a good time to start checking regularly, until the problem has been found, --- and forever after!!!

[Ivan]

Originally Posted by Jules

Might be as simple as just low coolant
Did you check level at least twice after belts were done ?

See how it goes now but you should be checking all levels at least monthly!!!

yeah i checked them every other day for 3 weeks

i normally do a monthly check .... but i cannot remember the last one i did

[MrDoodles]

My money's on a leaking/faulty thermostat!

[Ivan]

Just wanna correct myself, i miss took a 2L container for a 5L last night, so insted of 2.5L it was in fact just 1L .... my bad

just been out to check levels, and she is past the low again .... annother 1L in and all seems ok again

[trikey]

Airlock?

Give her a bleed when at running temp.