Steamed up interior

Fadows · 29th August 2020, 11:44

Hi guys, I had an issue with my ZT190 the other day, it was horrible weather, humid and wet so I was using my air con then it started making some weird random noises until it eventually started to steam up the interior of my car and nothing I could do would stop it. When I stopped the car steam was coming from under the bonnet and fearing head gasket failure I didn't drive it but got the garage out to tow me home. It was embarrassing as it happened at the KFC drive through and I couldn't see a thing. The temp gauge was reading normal but there was a loss of water as far as I can tell. I have had problems recently and had the thermostat and sensor replaced. I drove her yesterday up to normal operating temperature the air con was working but then made a strange sound so I switched it off and everything appeared fine. I checked and the water level has dropped. Any ideas?

SD1too · 29th August 2020, 14:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fadows

I have had problems recently and had the thermostat and sensor replaced.

Get it back to whoever did the work Martin. As your coolant level has dropped there would appear to be a leak which is unlikely to be a coincidence.

Simon

Fadows · 29th August 2020, 16:45

Thanks Simon, I had the thermostat replaced a few months ago but as you say there could be a leak from somewhere but not visible to me.

cbr1100xx · 29th August 2020, 16:49

The only time I've had a car steam up inside whilst driving was a mg montego, turned out to be a leak on the heater matrix .

Stan

mh007 · 29th August 2020, 16:51

As the thermostat & coolant sensor sits in the 'V' of the engine, you won't be able to see anything just by looking under the bonnet unless you shine a light down in to the 'V'.
Hopefully, it will be an easy fix if it is anything to do with the repairs you've had done, should be under warranty anyway.

mh007 · 29th August 2020, 17:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbr1100xx

The only time I've had a car steam up inside whilst driving was a mg montego, turned out to be a leak on the heater matrix .

Stan

I thought the same when I started reading the OP's post but then he said that the steam was coming from under the bonnet.

I had a matrix burst on me while driving my Ford Granada along a busy high st years ago.
Couldn't see a thing but I managed to open the window & stick my head out so that I could pull in.
Fortunately, I just joined the two heater pipes together with a bit of copper pipe & clips from a hardware store on said high street!
After letting the engine cool down, filled back up with water & drover home.
Not so easy to bypass the heater on most cars now of course!!

Fadows · 29th August 2020, 17:04

The interior of the car steamed up and it was only when I stopped some steam was coming from the bonnet. I just wondered as when the aircon was on it kept making random and very strange noises.

COLVERT · 29th August 2020, 21:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fadows

The interior of the car steamed up and it was only when I stopped some steam was coming from the bonnet. I just wondered as when the aircon was on it kept making random and very strange noises.

The noises were probably bubbles circulating in the cooling system.
A visual search for leaks is what's needed.--

29th August 2020, 11:44	#1
Fadows Regular poster MG ZT Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Hayle Posts: 36 Thanks: 33 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Steamed up interior Hi guys, I had an issue with my ZT190 the other day, it was horrible weather, humid and wet so I was using my air con then it started making some weird random noises until it eventually started to steam up the interior of my car and nothing I could do would stop it. When I stopped the car steam was coming from under the bonnet and fearing head gasket failure I didn't drive it but got the garage out to tow me home. It was embarrassing as it happened at the KFC drive through and I couldn't see a thing. The temp gauge was reading normal but there was a loss of water as far as I can tell. I have had problems recently and had the thermostat and sensor replaced. I drove her yesterday up to normal operating temperature the air con was working but then made a strange sound so I switched it off and everything appeared fine. I checked and the water level has dropped. Any ideas?

29th August 2020, 16:49	#4
cbr1100xx Gets stuck in VW touareg Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: dunsop bridge Posts: 870 Thanks: 225 Thanked 414 Times in 235 Posts	The only time I've had a car steam up inside whilst driving was a mg montego, turned out to be a leak on the heater matrix . Stan __________________ WE WERE BOTH BORN ON THE 4th of JULY CAR DIED 15/11/2022---I'M STILL GOING (JUST)

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29th August 2020, 16:45	#3
Fadows Regular poster MG ZT Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Hayle Posts: 36 Thanks: 33 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Thanks Simon, I had the thermostat replaced a few months ago but as you say there could be a leak from somewhere but not visible to me.

29th August 2020, 16:51	#5
mh007 This is my second home MG ZT260 SE, MG ZT190+, MG ZTT 160, R75 Conn SE 2.0, R75 Conn SE 2.5 X 3, R75 Club SE 1.8, P5B Coupe Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Keynsham, Bristol Posts: 4,211 Thanks: 65 Thanked 635 Times in 499 Posts	As the thermostat & coolant sensor sits in the 'V' of the engine, you won't be able to see anything just by looking under the bonnet unless you shine a light down in to the 'V'. Hopefully, it will be an easy fix if it is anything to do with the repairs you've had done, should be under warranty anyway.

29th August 2020, 17:04	#7
Fadows Regular poster MG ZT Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Hayle Posts: 36 Thanks: 33 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	The interior of the car steamed up and it was only when I stopped some steam was coming from the bonnet. I just wondered as when the aircon was on it kept making random and very strange noises.