Overheating problem - HELP

[Cooldude1983]

Hi Guys,

Got a problem with my VS, she's overheating. Basically when I stop for longer than a minute or two the temparature guage heads for the "HOT" end. The guage hasn't got further up to the H yet, but has got about 4/5 (80%) of the way. It never usually never goes over half way. The overheating has been happening over the last week or two, but only intermiddently.

I have checked the coolant levels and are fine.

Any suggestions on what the problem might be?

Cheers for your help.

[maginoodle]

is your thermo fan coming on?try turning your air con onto the 1 position. that will make the thermo fan turn on. it could also be your thermostat not opening.

[Wolves]

check your hose joints too, like the ''T'' joints they're all plastic shit, they dont last long you can replase them easily tho

[Cooldude1983]

is your thermo fan coming on?try turning your air con onto the 1 position. that will make the thermo fan turn on. it could also be your thermostat not opening.

Thanks Maginoodle. Checked the thermo fan is working. Now to check the t-joints...

Any more suggestions on what it could be?

[sixshooter]

Knackered water pump ?
Blockage in your radiator core ?

Best thing to do is get it flushed out for starters... there's threads on here how to flush you radiator if you do a search...

[semi]

If you take out your thermostat and put it in a glass of booiling water, its should kinda pop open, if not, replace it

[hako]

This may be normal - mine, along with a lot of other listers, does occassionally go to 80% and then the electric fan will go to high speed and the temp will drop rapidly. You may be noticing it now as you will not have the aircon on so the electric fan will not be doing the extra cooling. Without the aircon switched on you have to wait for the coolant sensor to turn the fan on before the temp will drop....and it's when the car is not moving that the temp will rise rapidly. Hopefully it is normal.

[Cooldude1983]

This may be normal - mine, along with a lot of other listers, does occassionally go to 80% and then the electric fan will go to high speed and the temp will drop rapidly. You may be noticing it now as you will not have the aircon on so the electric fan will not be doing the extra cooling. Without the aircon switched on you have to wait for the coolant sensor to turn the fan on before the temp will drop....and it's when the car is not moving that the temp will rise rapidly. Hopefully it is normal.

Cheers Hako. I did think that may be the case -so it's a possibility. However, checked the coolant again this afternoon after work, radiator was basically empty. So it would seem the coolant is going somewhere. Will fill radiator and check for leaks under the car.

Considering maybe blown headgasket -maybe not. Can't see any water in the oil, but coolant is a bit frothy in the radiator. Coolant must be going somewhere...


Any thoughts...

[sam__kent]

Going through the same with my VR auto. Coolant level drops A LOT. Thermo fan works, new radiator cap and thermostat. Also, cooling system has been "pressure tested", flushed and new coolant put in. Since all that, I have put in almost 4L of distilled water in <100km...

Make sure you let us know how you go.

As for my thoughts, I shall try some Bars or something like that - if there is a leak then the problem should go away for a while. If the radiator is full of crap, then things won't get any worse, and if the water pump is on the way out, then it won't do anything there either.

Only flaw I can see in this plan is what if the Bars doesn't stop the leak? I have not noticed any coolant around the inlet manifold or anything. Any thoughts appreciated

[hako]

Cheers Hako. I did think that may be the case -so it's a possibility. However, checked the coolant again this afternoon after work, radiator was basically empty. So it would seem the coolant is going somewhere. Will fill radiator and check for leaks under the car.

Considering maybe blown headgasket -maybe not. Can't see any water in the oil, but coolant is a bit frothy in the radiator. Coolant must be going somewhere...


Any thoughts...

Your first post indicated coolant level was fine, however..... Have a look under the waterpump for a trail of dried coolant as it may be the pump seal leaking which is common. Frothy coolant is not unusual when level is really low as waterpump is pumping coolant and air. I always find it easier to find leaks - water or oil, at night with a torch and with the engine running. Coolant leaks are especially difficult as the coolant evaporates rapidly leaving no tell-tale traces. Also check the heater tap near the master cylinder as this corrodes and leaks. Good luck.

[lmwiegold]

hi same problem discovered with my series 2 vs exec.went to the panel beaters today lifted te bonnet to find boiling sound in over flow container.however temperature gauge wasnt showing hot.anyhow parked the car left it for 2omins return to find coolant in gutter couldnt find source refilled and now seems to be staying full.however it is now running five marks up from c (half way) instead of three.i have just had thermostat replaced. ideas on what this could be.have no idea.

[Cooldude1983]

Well guys do you want the bad news or the bad news? TOok it to the mechanics and its a bloody blown head gasket!!!!! Damn it!

[hako]

hi same problem discovered with my series 2 vs exec.went to the panel beaters today lifted te bonnet to find boiling sound in over flow container.however temperature gauge wasnt showing hot.anyhow parked the car left it for 2omins return to find coolant in gutter couldnt find source refilled and now seems to be staying full.however it is now running five marks up from c (half way) instead of three.i have just had thermostat replaced. ideas on what this could be.have no idea.

Did you bleed all the air from the system when you changed the thermostat? If the gauge is not showing hot but the engine is boiling it may mean that the temp sensor is not immersed in the coolant and is telling you the temp of the metal cylinder head and not the coolant (I hope not). Otherwise the temp gauge is faulty or the engine boiled after switching off due to heat load (no circulation). Don't throw that rabbits foot away!

Bad luck Cooldude1983....sorry to hear. Are you going to fix it yourself?

[siras21]

my brother had same problem with his vr it was the water pump

[Cooldude1983]

Did you bleed all the air from the system when you changed the thermostat? If the gauge is not showing hot but the engine is boiling it may mean that the temp sensor is not immersed in the coolant and is telling you the temp of the metal cylinder head and not the coolant (I hope not). Otherwise the temp gauge is faulty or the engine boiled after switching off due to heat load (no circulation). Don't throw that rabbits foot away!

Bad luck Cooldude1983....sorry to hear. Are you going to fix it yourself?

No dude, fortunately for me my dad works for a holden dealership so go it done there........Actually got the car back on Friday, works OK, a few hitches though it hesitates in some spots when I accelerate. Havn't got the bill yet -not looking forward to it.

[hako]

Cooldude1983 - post the details of what was replaced when you get the bill please as it puts the finishing touch to an interesting thread. Bit like a who-done-it.

[sam__kent]

Cooldude1983 - post the details of what was replaced when you get the bill please as it puts the finishing touch to an interesting thread. Bit like a who-done-it.

I second that.

I look forawrd to hearing the wrap-up as I still haven't sorted out the "intermittent Leak" which appears to be coming from behind the water pump. The mechanic reckons that it isn't the water pump, so what is it?

[maginoodle]

I second that.

I look forawrd to hearing the wrap-up as I still haven't sorted out the "intermittent Leak" which appears to be coming from behind the water pump. The mechanic reckons that it isn't the water pump, so what is it?

there is a hole in the bottom of the water pump shaft that lets coolant out when the seal starts to perish. you cant see the hole unless you take the pulley off. Mine has been leaking intermittly for 2 years now.it only leaks about 1 litre of water/5000km.
if you pressure test it may or may not show up due to the positioning of the seal at the time.

[Cooldude1983]

Cooldude1983 - post the details of what was replaced when you get the bill please as it puts the finishing touch to an interesting thread. Bit like a who-done-it.

Will do this -hopefully will get it early this week....

[hako]

I second that.

I look forawrd to hearing the wrap-up as I still haven't sorted out the "intermittent Leak" which appears to be coming from behind the water pump. The mechanic reckons that it isn't the water pump, so what is it?

Get one of those small mirrors on the end of a flexible rod to look up under the waterpump pulley and you will see where the leak is coming from. Bet my last dollar it is from the bleed hole in the waterpump which means the seal is leaking. Next thing to happen is for either the leak to get much worse OR the leak will cause the pump bearings to fail. It will not fix itself up. Either way you are driving with a faulty component that will (not may) fail...probably at the most in-opportune time. Pumps cost about $100, take 2 hours to fit taking extreme care and maybe you might need some new coolant. The other thing about a slow leak is that you are continually diluting your coolant if you top up with water and this will cause corrosion etc.. Good Luck.

[sam__kent]

Get one of those small mirrors on the end of a flexible rod to look up under the waterpump pulley and you will see where the leak is coming from. Bet my last dollar it is from the bleed hole in the waterpump which means the seal is leaking. Next thing to happen is for either the leak to get much worse OR the leak will cause the pump bearings to fail. It will not fix itself up. Either way you are driving with a faulty component that will (not may) fail...probably at the most in-opportune time. Pumps cost about $100, take 2 hours to fit taking extreme care and maybe you might need some new coolant. The other thing about a slow leak is that you are continually diluting your coolant if you top up with water and this will cause corrosion etc.. Good Luck.

Update on my VR for those who are interested - the mechanic said that the coolant is leaking from the mainfold (I've heard of this before on this forum - thanks gang). The leak was running down the front of the engine so it looked like the water pump. Will keep you posted and thanks for all the tips!

[lmwiegold04]

well guys some good news some bad...i havnt heard that fearful boiling sound from my engine bay for over a week now however the mechanic seems to think that it is the radiator that is full of crap.....so getting it cleaned out this w.e...the thermostat was changed by a holden dealer so it would want to have been done properly...lol.....still sitting on half way but the mechanic tell me that isnt going to cause anything to major too soon....

[theburna]

don't waste time just cleaning it out, get the tanks changed or at leat the drivers side tank at the same time. It will go eventually.
A new radiator is only $145 - 169 anywhere at the moment so ask how much before you open the wallet to let the vultures feed.