Water spurting

[coolvxss]

I was driving home from work and my temp gauge shot up past half way. When i got home i opened the bonnet and there was water dripping from the bottom of bonnet, and everything in the engine bay was wet. When i rev the engine, water sprays up from somewhere near the alternator. It looks like the water is coming from behind the alternator somewhere. It only sprays when i rev my car. when its idleing its fine.

[1991_Vn2nV]

Hmmm... Is it just water or is it coolant?

Look at the hoses, you probably have a cracked hose somewhere.

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

Sounds like a split hose, it is common for them to split right where the clamp is.

[coolvxss]

Yeah its coolant. Are there any hoses behind or around the alternator? The two main hoses that go to the radiator are fine.

[Lost_Pete]

There is a coolant bypass hose just under the alternator.

[coolvxss]

oh yeah thats where it will be coming from. Are they hard to replace? Would i have to take the alternator out or anything? cheers

[Emackulation]

Would be easier for you to inspect and fix if the alternator was out.

[Lost_Pete]

You can leave the alternator in place if the hose clamps are accessible. On our car it was okay but the clamp has to be in just the right position.

In any case taking out the alternator is not hard just make sure you disconnect the battery first.

In general though if one hose goes then it is worth changing all the hoses of the same age. It may save you the cost of coolant in the future. I think you have the top and bottom radiator hoses, bypass hose (make sure you get the right size for your car as there are two different types), three heater hoses. Apparently Gates sell a complete kit of hoses.

[coolvxss]

K thanks guys. I will have to check it out tomorrow.

[coolvxss]

ok i put a new one in. I had to remove the alternator and stuff. wasnt too hard.

Now i want to change all the coolant. I put this stop leak stuff in my last coolant and now it looks milky, so i want to get all of that out, and put fresh coolant in it. Can i just remove the hose from the radiator and rev the car till all the water is out, then re fill it with normal water, and do the same. then put my new coolant in?

[AttaBoy]

Just make sure you bleed the system after replacing the coolant to let out pockets of air.

[coolvxss]

with bleeding it, do i just let my car run for a while without the top on the fill up bottle thing? because on series1 vns they done have bleeder screw or radiator cap

[AttaBoy]

errr... I'm not sure on the VN's because I have a vs which has a bleeder screw on top of the thermostat housing. So other's with similar car to yours should tell you how.

Just have a look at the thermostat housing and see if there is a screw.

Yes you need to run the engine for a while to let it build up pressure and let the air out some coolant will come out too, when a lot of coolant start coming out you then tighten the screw and you're done. This is done on the VS with the bleeder screw so I don't really know about yours.

[coolvxss]

Yeah the series two vns have bleeder screws. But the series one doesnt. I just opened up the tank thing and ran my car for ages to get all the water flowing. Seems to have worked.

[Lost_Pete]

Ours has a bleeder screw but I just idle it and keep topping up the radiator. Then rev it a bit and top it up. Take it for a short drive then top it up (usually doesn't need it). Then a longer drive and check it.

Then I just go all paranoid and check it often as possible for a week.

[coolvxss]

Yup thats how i did it. After every drive i have been checking it and its been good. So i think im alright now.