VT Cooling System Issues

[Bigkev19]

I have a VT commodore which has never had a cooling system issue until now. The car overheated the other day. I refilled the radiator and it got me home and I called NRMA. When he came he put another 6 litres of water in it so the radiator is full. I went to put coolant in the inlet spout on the right hand side of the motor. It came straight out. Upon checking the crossover hose underneath the car i discovered it to be cracked. Is this the reason why my car is still overheating or is it soemthing more complicated? Thanks Kev

[VYMAD]

6 Litres is a hell of a lot of coolant to disapear out of the overflow. (I take it you mean that by "inlet spout on right hand side of motor"? I would say you have a major leak somewhere. When system is hot, check for leaks around all hoses, heater tap and each of the side radiator tanks.

[cameroony]

Similar problem with my VX. 3 weeks ago when I was 20 mins into a trip, the alarm came on and dash display said HOT. Temp guage was over 3/4 but not all the way and suddenly went back to normal temp. So took car to a mechanic, and had a full engine flush, new heater temp tap, new thermostat, radiator cap & coolant. 2 days ago after starting car and driving only 9kms, the heat alarm & HOT dash display went off again. Now temp guage at top reading. Stopped car straight away and after cooling down drove car 1km to home. Checked the coolant level in overflow bottle and was fine. Checked level in top of radiator and coolant not visible, so added 1100mls to it. There was no leaking coolant under the car as there was 3 weeks ago. Back to mechanic yesterday and did a pressure test and only found a hose clamp loose.
You need to get under the car and check for coolant leaks or coolant on the ground where you park. Then check the dipstick as engine oil should be Brown to Black colour, not light grey - milky colour.
Only add water to the radiator as a last resort, always use coolant.
Could be as simple as a loose hose clamp, split hose, faulty thermostat, faulty radiator cap or cracked heater tap. On the other hand it expensive being a blown head gasket, worn water pump or faulty electric cooling fans.
Hope this helps.

[VYMAD]

My son's VT was using coolant, with no visible leaks anywhere, oil was fine, normal colour. He hasn't had the car for long, so we were working out which fluids may have had potential leaks, etc. After a couple of days I noticed the paint under the heater tap was peeling. Turned out to be a leaking heater tap, and as the coolant was leaking on to the flat area underneath, it must have been evaporating before it could drip down onto the ground. Was only the peeling paint that was the giveaway as coolant stuffs paintwork.

[holdens644]

I had a Vt and the Three things went on mine First the Radiator.. then the heater valve Exploded and u cant miss the noise.... and the headgasket went.. they would be where i would be looking for starters go for radiator cap and hoses then heater valve and then radiatr plastic tanks.. failing that take it to a radiator/cooling system specialist and get it tested i no natrad do it for nothing and they tell you if it is a head gasket

[Bigkev19]

Thanks for all your help guys. I think I have narrowed it down to a cooling system fan relay fault as the fans only come on intermitently. Will keep checking and get to the bottom of it.

[metalhead_07]

Hey I just got a Vt Calais and the temp gauge sits at half for highway driving and around town driving is this too hot or normal...
Thanks

[Burnout124]

only add coolant if it is the same brand and type differant coolants react and can eat your rad in week ! add water but you need to find the leak>