Overheating? Cause?

[FullySick]

Hi Everyone,

Well, this morning when I was going to work, I pulled up at a set of lights and all of a sudden noticed smoke (steam) pouring out of the engine bay.

Anyway, it turns out that the top radiator hose had come away from the radiator. Water had gone everywhere obviously.

No problems, I connected it all back up and filled the radiator and overflow with water (although it didn't take much-couple of litres max).

But, now, the engine is overheating badly (temperature gauge is off the dial).

Does anyone know what the cause could be?

Seized water pump maybe?

Cheers

[DannyboyDS]

its possible that the waterpump is damaged, it is however more likely that the the system will need an air bleed.

remove your engine cover and ontop of the thermostat housing is a small brass screw, start your car and let it run untill it starts warming up (on the gauge) heater on full by the way.

then loosen the screw slightly, water will exit through a small opening, when the water exiting is a constant stream tighten the screw.

allow the car to cool down completly (next day is best) top up your water in the radiator and the resivour.

whats your oil look like at the moment by the way?

[greenacc]

Doubt siezed water pump , easy to check just take the belt off and spin the pump pulley , if it spins its fine. actually if it spins with the engine running and doesn't scream its fine.

[cracker]

service the cooling sytem,
back flush radiator and block, replace ur themostat check hoses for damage over heating causes them to expand and break, check radiator tank out lets where the hoses go on make sure they havent gone a funny shape, replace water with 50% coolant and do as above.

[hako]

I'd be wondering why the hose blew off - the radiator cap should release pressure before a hose blows off. Then if cold water was added to a hot engine you probably will cause damage - cracked head(s). Thats the worst case scenario.

Best case is as DannyboyDS says. Stupid question I know but is the fan belt still on? - thats the only reason I can see for a rapid overheat.

[stocky]

did you put more water in it? youve probably got a lot of air trapped in the pipes and need to bleed it out,

[-=ApheX=-]

I once had a similar issue, firstly i'd drain coolant, replace pipe retensioner clips, replace thermostat and gasket, check to make sure your radiator fan is kicking in at the appropriate time when engine is warm, check and also make sure your temp sensor is not in any damaged, this i'm sure also sits near or on the thermostat housing... replace coolant making sure you remove any air that may still be in the cooling system...

if worst case scenario the engine has cracked near the water tunnels in the block thus superheating the coolant and causing extreme high pressure to build up and blow off your hoses, but this would be noticed obviously if your car suddenly dosn;t go anymore...

All this being said you may as well replace your pump, it's an easy fix and pumps from repco are about $70 as of about a month ago... that being the jap branded one too btw..

[leonthalion]

service the cooling sytem,
back flush radiator and block, replace ur themostat check hoses for damage over heating causes them to expand and break, check radiator tank out lets where the hoses go on make sure they havent gone a funny shape, replace water with 50% coolant and do as above.

similar thing happend to a mate of mine, turned out that the thermostat wasnt exactly closed but after an identical overheating issue it somehow was only about 10% open.

[FullySick]

Thanks for all the responses.

I have bled the system (only a small stream of water would come out of the valve)

And it is running ok now-the temp gauge seems to fluctuate quite a bit though between about 3 bars and 5 bars (halfway)

Is this normal?

[-=ApheX=-]

yeah fairly normal i would assume, although when driving along between 80 and 100kms, it should sit just below the 2 line, if idling in traffic, it's normal for it to jump up to over half way when hot, and back to 3 or 4th bar once the thermo fan stops after cooling at idle... so it's situational to conditions mate...

[maz124s]

I had the same problem after overheating the engine, after one of my hoses ruptured

Ended up being a stuffed thermostat, something must happen when they are overheated

Changed thermostat haven't had a problem since

[FullySick]

Damn radiator hose came off again last night. I've tightened it on as far as possible, so, if it comes off again, I guess the issue becomes why is it coming off...