cooling problems

[Beanzzz]

hey guys n gals this is my first time using this forum so i am sorry if i posted this in the wrong section. heres the problem this morning my vt (6) popped the bottom radiator hose off even though my engine wasnt reading hot on both digital gauge and the needle was still at half way.i checked the thermostat in boiling water and it opened fine i also checked the water pump and it was pumping plenty.i refilled the radiator (3months old) and left the car running for a minute with radiator cap off,the radiator boiled again but the temp gauge still stayed at half (101 degrees),,most of the water/coolant spewed out so i emptied it and did it again,,by this stage i just wanted 2 get home so i drove it home and the radiator didnt even get warm this time ..... so im confused .could it be that my motor is actualy overheating and the sensor is stuffed? btw we replaced lower intake manifold with more expensive metal ones when we did the radiator so i dont think it could be that......CONFUSION ...any one with some input please reply no matter how trivial it may seem as im scared 2 drive it at the moment CHEERS for listening 2 my dribble

[Beanzzz]

Bump.....any one????although it now seems ok as i took it 4 a 1 hour drive and no problems i am going on a 10hr drive in the christmas holidays and would like to get to my destination without issues

[paul-r]

I am not sure what your problem currently is. With a hose dis-connected or with the radiator cap off you will lose pressure and the water/coolant will boil.
You can ignore the temp. gauge if you lose pressure , you must have the cooling system functioning correctly to get an accurate reading on the gauge.
The cooling system must be maintained under pressure at all times with the correct pressure radiator cap. If you are not losing coolant and the temperature
gauge is normal then you are most likely ok now.

[Beanzzz]

thanks for your reply paul..it seems ok now , im hoping it was just a blockage that i may have freed..(maybe even the thermostat as it was a bit dirty ) cheers m8

[ephect]

it doesnt hurt to give the cooling system a flush out. As paul-r said, the cooling system must be pressurised, this increasings the boiling point of the coolant/water, so it shouldnt boil.