Overheating ?

[Boo]

I have just been brought home from Hastings in a freezing cold recovery van. My car has overheated twice in the last 2 days. I filled the water resevoir up and as the water temperature gague reaches 110 the water disappears and it boils over and the water resevoir fills with hot water. I am thinking its probably the thermostat but, the question is - where is this located and where are the bleeding points ??

 

[1litre wonder]

there arent any bleeding points , its a self bleeding system tbh by the sounds of it the systems leaking somewhere as its a sealed system so theres nowhere really for the water to go , or it could be the thermistat is away , OR it could be the water pump is away

 

[cardaft]

Its probably the be thermostat, since the waterpump wouldnt make it over heat.

Well it would if all the water was gone but it sounds as though its boiling the water away?

You need to be careful, sinc eoften when cars overheat the headgasket can give problems. So keep an eye on that too

 

[grotmeister]

Fill it up again with water and let the engine tick over from cold for a few minutes. Any leaks will be apparent on the floor. Cardaft is right about the head gasket, a badly blown head gasket and ur engine will be very lumpy at tick over or wont tick over at all, and a tell tale sign is white emulsion on the inside of the oil filler cap. Having just pulled an engine from an arosa i think the stat is inside a plastic cover below the distributor. Good luck!

 

[1litre wonder]

Its probably the be thermostat, since the waterpump wouldnt make it over heat.

if the water pump fails then theres no water flowing through it to cool it down

 

[Boo]

There was a small leak, which we have sorted out but, the fan still isnt kicking in and the pipes and engine still feel a little hot. I have never really paid that much attention to the water temp gague on the dash when driving at its around 90 ish. Think its always been like that but, still not driving it just yet. Means a long journey to brands in a Punto tomorrow Think I might need a new fan switch or a water temp sensor ?

 

[grotmeister]

could be the fan switch or could be the stat, if the stat isnt opening no hot water is circulating in the radiator so the fan wont cut in, did your car overheat while driving or when you were sitting in traffic?

 

[Boo]

It overheated after I had been stuck in traffic and then drove a while, and also overheated whilst driving. I have checked the thermostat and that seems fine but, it could be the fan switch as the fan just isnt cutting in at all. Its booked in to be looked at on friday. And then going back to the bodyshop the following monday as I have some overspray they need to sort out.

 

[grotmeister]

yep sounds like the fan switch or associated stuff

 

[Jochen]

Hi,
You say you checked the thermostat, did you check the housing that the hose fits onto.
These have now been modified, as the centre metal pin from the thermostat pushes through it and then can not open.
Take the hose off the thermostat housing, remove the housing and have a look at the plastic housing, paying particular attention to the sort of plastic bridge inside it. if it looks cracked or has a hole through it, it is in need of a new one, Seat or VW dealer will charge around a tenner for the part, and only the new improved part will be supplied.
Hope this helps? it is a very common problem.
Jochen.

 

[Boo]

Thanks for that I am actually going to take it into the garage tomorrow to get them to have a look at it, as I dont want to do too much damage to the engine. Will get them to check the housing and fan switch, will know more thursday afternoon. Just means Im wihtout my car again for a week. Then its back to the bodyshop so will be without it again for a further week !!!

 

[Boo]

Cars back yay !!! Seems to be fine - although I cant ever recall what temperature the engine ran on previously ! Combination of things, Water pump belt knackered, leaky water hose, cracked thermostat housing and broken thermostat. All replaced and I had the same mileage on my car when I collected the car but, a full tank of fuel !!! Bonus ! £90 though with a full check and 2 hours labour as they had difficulties getting the existing housing off.


Fitted new stereo today too now I have my ipod in the car it means I can listen to me Dolly Parton and KLF !

 

[UncleFester]

Nice one - not too expensive and a free tank of fuel

 

[R3bb]

Water pump belt knackered, leaky water hose, cracked thermostat housing and broken thermostat. All replaced and I had the same mileage on my car when I collected the car but, a full tank of fuel !!! Bonus ! £90 though with a full check and 2 hours labour as they had difficulties getting the existing housing off.

That is so cheap!
What do your garage work for - peanuts?!

Labour is about £40 - £50 around here to begin with...

 

[Nath.]

Dolly Parton and KLF

I take it the garage topped up the antifreeze for you ?

if it boiled over 2 times and then you topped up with water your antifreeze will be a bit diluted and that is a big no-no this time of year

glad it's all sorted

 

[Boo]

I got an hours free labour as it was one of the apprentice guys who did it. They phoned me and asked if it was ok and me being all for education agreed

 

[R3bb]

Just make sure nothing falls off lol!

 

[Boo]

Awww bless he was certainly a more 'mature' type of apprentice. Nice guy

 

[Boo]

Hmmm and so the saga continues. My speedo is possessed ! Not that Im complaining but, its not reading right and fluctuates when driving between 60 and 20 when Im doing 60. I have a digital speedo Im using at the moment but, its quite scary ! Could it be where they adjusted something to do with the water belt/cambelt ??? I phoned them up and they are going to have a look at it on tuesday as they are full to bursting appointment wise.

 

[Boo]

Hmmm getting quite concerned now. The speedo is still broken, its been a bit better since Gaz gave it a bit of attention at brands but, still not right. Will happily plod along at 30 and as soon as I put my foot down it waves around like a mexican on acid. Its also doing some sort of strange 'pulling' where it feels like the brake is being applied whilst Im driving or that there is no acceleration. Know the speedo may very well be one of the speedo sensors but, am wondering if the 'pulling' is something cambelt related ? The cambelt has been changed twice at 30k and 60k car has now done 78k I have no idea now - my engine is in the hands of god