chp03bcd Posted May 25, 2010 Share Posted May 25, 2010 Was out driving the car last weekend and i noticed the water temp dial wasn't in the middle of the gauge as it normally is. It slowly crept up to just below the red over about 15 minutes so i pulled over and called the RAC out. On getting it back to a garage they have pressure tested it and it's fine. It's not the head gasket. The heaters put out hot air (though they didn't when the RAC tried them) and the garage can't see to find anything wrong. Has anyone got any thought or suggestions as to what could be at fault? Is it possible for air locks to work themselves out of the system? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robzki Posted May 25, 2010 Share Posted May 25, 2010 Yep could be. have you changed the coolant recently? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_b Posted May 25, 2010 Share Posted May 25, 2010 Are all the coolant pipes warm/hot when the engine's up to temperature? How much coolant did you have in the reservoir? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nic Posted May 25, 2010 Share Posted May 25, 2010 Low coolant levels. Knackered radiator. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnk Posted May 25, 2010 Share Posted May 25, 2010 (edited) Is there any coolant in the expansion tank ? Maybe it would be worth popping a new thermostat in it, an o/e one. It might be not opening properly or even not opening at all. Edited May 25, 2010 by Dnk (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chp03bcd Posted May 28, 2010 Author Share Posted May 28, 2010 Thanks for all the advice guys. The coolant was changed 18 months ago, the coolant pipes are warm/hot when the engine's up to temperature and the reservior is half full when the engine is cold. I haven't been on any long drives since having it back from the garage. When i start it i let the heaters put out hot air and the temperature gauge seems to be fine. Just have to wait and see if it happens again i guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_b Posted May 28, 2010 Share Posted May 28, 2010 (edited) Try Dnk's suggestion of changing the thermostat. That could certainly cause overheating if it's not opening properly. Edited May 28, 2010 by stevie_b (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnk Posted May 28, 2010 Share Posted May 28, 2010 For what it costs i wouldnt wait and i'd be popping a new stat in it, if you get it too hot you'll be throwing the cylinder head in a bin and buying a new one and thats not cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackso11 Posted July 10, 2010 Share Posted July 10, 2010 How much does a new stat cost? I am having overheating issues too. Hottest day of the year, 15 minute drive and I have boiling steam spitting out the overflow hose. The rad cap was hissing too, which stopped when I push down on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shane Posted July 10, 2010 Share Posted July 10, 2010 Thermostat on mine started to play up a year or so ago, it's not that uncommon. Dont be fooled in thinking that because it opens in a pan of water at the right temperature it's fine either. They behave very differently under pressure. I struggled at first to get the correct one for mine locally and had to go to Mr T. However I also now know that CW keeps them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo Posted July 10, 2010 Share Posted July 10, 2010 (edited) yeah i was seeing Red and 100 degs on my Defi water gauge the other day, coolant levels are spot on with some in Expansion tank, coolant was changed about 1 month ago. Although i was out doing heavy pulls and hooning around, im going to change my thermostat and see how it behaves?? Edited July 10, 2010 by Geo (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnk Posted July 10, 2010 Share Posted July 10, 2010 I doubt a genuine stat is more than £20, dont forget you'll need more Cool Red though if you change it ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk Posted July 10, 2010 Share Posted July 10, 2010 Just to jump in here, when i had major overheating issues it turned out to be contaminated coolant from the autobox rad inside the main rad leaking atf into the system which turned into pink cream. That knackered the stat and screwed the rad. Also might be worth changing your rad cap aswel as i found mine was knackered. Just a quick question though guys, my car overheated past the red line when it 1st happened and i instantly turned it off. Do you think the head is ok? It seems fine and drives the same Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shane Posted July 10, 2010 Share Posted July 10, 2010 Just to jump in here, when i had major overheating issues it turned out to be contaminated coolant from the autobox rad inside the main rad leaking atf into the system which turned into pink cream. That knackered the stat and screwed the rad. Also might be worth changing your rad cap aswel as i found mine was knackered. Just a quick question though guys, my car overheated past the red line when it 1st happened and i instantly turned it off. Do you think the head is ok? It seems fine and drives the same A TT gets generates much more heat than a NA, something I underestimated until I got a TT, but on my old NA I cooked it at least twice, first when the core plug failed and second when the stat jammed closed. Both times I thought I had probably knackered it but to my amazement and pleasure it doesnt appear to have caused any damage as it goes on and on and never seems to be any different in terms of smoke, power or reliability. Last time I cooked it due to the stat, CW thought that maybe the top end had gone banana shaped, but that was over 18 moons and 20,000 miles ago and no problems at all. Still sounds as sweet as a nut, pulls like a train (ahem NA train) and still as reliable as hell. But, as I said a TT generates much more heat therefore more elikely to do damage. Do a sniff test and if it's ok run it for a while and see how you get on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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