Problem with overheating VY Calais (Supercharged V6)

[Benjamin K]

Hey guys, just bought this car today from a dealership. It's a VY Calais running a supercharged V6. The test drive was fine, and it ran beautifully all day.

That was until I went to take it for a drive to get some maccas. Given it was at night and I live in Darwin (Don't forget it didn't over heat during the day )

The temperature gauge shot up well into red within minutes of starting it. Thank god I was only a couple of hundred metres from home.

So any ideas on what the problem may be? If worst comes to worst it's the dealers issue anyway. Just don't want to be left with out a car for a while if the problem is something easily fixed at home.

Cheers

[LightningVP]

Hey, is there coolant in the system (and in the over flow bottle)? and have you noticed any coolant leaking?

[alien]

Dont worry so much about the over flow bottle like Lightning is asking, that's not really useful for diagnosis :P Could be a sticky or broken thermostat. If it only took minutes to do it could be that. If there's lack of coolant, then i'd suggest it's probably the inlet manifold gasket. How many k's has the car done?

And yes, i've been in this situation myself. But not straight after i bought it LOL.

[Benjamin K]

Hey, is there coolant in the system (and in the over flow bottle)? and have you noticed any coolant leaking?

The over flow bottle is full. and I wasn't game to open the radiator cap right after I'd just over heated the car :P But will be sure to check that one out in the morning. *Sighs* PS: Is there any chance I done any damage to the engine at all? It was only over heated for about 3 minutes while I idled it back home....

[LightningVP]

Dont worry so much about the over flow bottle like Lightning is asking, that's not really useful for diagnosis :P Could be a sticky or broken thermostat. If it only took minutes to do it could be that. If there's lack of coolant, then i'd suggest it's probably the inlet manifold gasket. How many k's has the car done?

And yes, i've been in this situation myself. But not straight after i bought it LOL.

included the over flow because you didnt tell me not to when you told me to post and it's easier to see if you have lost coolant over time looking at the bottle...

But yeah...you ARE in the situation...

[LightningVP]

The over flow bottle is full. and I wasn't game to open the radiator cap right after I'd just over heated the car :P But will be sure to check that one out in the morning. *Sighs* PS: Is there any chance I done any damage to the engine at all? It was only over heated for about 3 minutes while I idled it back home....

if your over flow bottle was full, was it making bubbles when you checked it, if not then I wold assume your engine "wasn't over heating" and could just be a faulty signal from sensor...Ehrn my car over heated (back when I first blew my radiator) steam would come out of the over blow bottle...

[Benjamin K]

Dont worry so much about the over flow bottle like Lightning is asking, that's not really useful for diagnosis :P Could be a sticky or broken thermostat. If it only took minutes to do it could be that. If there's lack of coolant, then i'd suggest it's probably the inlet manifold gasket. How many k's has the car done?

And yes, i've been in this situation myself. But not straight after i bought it LOL.

Would the thermostat actually cause the engine to over heat? The engine did get hot enough that I could smell a slight over heating smell. Cars done 160,000 km's

Yeah I'm absolutely spewing how quick a problem surfaced. First car I've bought (I'm 18) and first day the car stuffs up

Another question, is there usually a probem with supercharged cars over heating?

[LightningVP]

Would the thermostat actually cause the engine to over heat? The engine did get hot enough that I could smell a slight over heating smell. Cars done 160,000 km's

Yeah I'm absolutely spewing how quick a problem surfaced. First car I've bought (I'm 18) and first day the car stuffs up

Another question, is there usually a probem with supercharged cars over heating?

it can be a problem...as they get hotter easier. Not big on that topic so can't say for certain, but yeah maybe your not meant to own a car

If it were me, I would take it back to them...

[Benjamin K]

it can be a problem...as they get hotter easier. Not big on that topic so can't say for certain, but yeah maybe your not meant to own a car

If it were me, I would take it back to them...

Remind me to never buy a car again.

Umm thanks for the help guys. I'll pass this onto my brother when he gets here soon. Hopefully he can sort it out because I wouldn't have a clue about cars.

Either way it's going back to the dealers first thing in the morning and they'll be paying for any damages (Thank god I'm not that much of a tigh ass I didn't take the warranty ).

Cheers and any other suggestions, fire away guys and I'll let my brother read them.

[alien]

160,000kms, if the gaskets havn't changed then they're probably due for new ones.

The only check on the VY's that is suitable would be checking the radiator and seeing if it has enough coolant. Although if you smell the overheating smell and it was definatly hot and not just a warm tempertaure (even the supercharger "arm" (to where the pulley is) can get quite warm when you get to a hot level) so it's possible to have done damage. Best check to see if there is coolant left. If not at least put water in for now and just take your car around the area gunning it. If there's steam try work out where it's leaking from. If it's from the rear of the engine, it's either thermostat or inlet manifold gasket. If the guys that did the service didn't neutralize the coolant it may have eaten away the aluminum parts!

As for only 3 minutes. Depending on what temperature it got to you can destroy your head gasket pretty quickly and warp your heads (theyre the two main problems anyways)! In a supercharged VY if it gets over 130 degrees your definatly in trouble.

Supercharged cars generally dont overheat more than others, it depends on what circumstances happen as to whether or not they do. However it does take them a bit longer to cool due to the fact that the supercharger is on top of the engine stopping air from helping cool down the inlet manifold.

[Benjamin K]

160,000kms, if the gaskets havn't changed then they're probably due for new ones.

The only check on the VY's that is suitable would be checking the radiator and seeing if it has enough coolant. Although if you smell the overheating smell and it was definatly hot and not just a warm tempertaure (even the supercharger "arm" (to where the pulley is) can get quite warm when you get to a hot level) so it's possible to have done damage. Best check to see if there is coolant left. If not at least put water in for now and just take your car around the area gunning it. If there's steam try work out where it's leaking from. If it's from the rear of the engine, it's either thermostat or inlet manifold gasket. If the guys that did the service didn't neutralize the coolant it may have eaten away the aluminum parts!

As for only 3 minutes. Depending on what temperature it got to you can destroy your head gasket pretty quickly and warp your heads (theyre the two main problems anyways)! In a supercharged VY if it gets over 130 degrees your definatly in trouble.

Supercharged cars generally dont overheat more than others, it depends on what circumstances happen as to whether or not they do. However it does take them a bit longer to cool due to the fact that the supercharger is on top of the engine stopping air from helping cool down the inlet manifold.

Looks like they'll be replacing a fair bit then . As far as I can tell the engine was bloody hot (Very top of the temperature gauge so I'm guessing over 130 ). Not much smoke but we'll find out in the morning when the mechanics take a look over it.

Cheers for the advice Alien, looks like I'll be getting a new engine block because it isn't looking too good at the moment haha.

[alien]

Top of the temperature guage should be around 123-126 degrees. 130 SHOULD be off the charts (the needle wont go that far, you need to be in the "hidden menu" (Mode + Set held down when yoru switching the car one and pressing mode to goto coolant temp) to be abel to see the temperature from the guage).

Not MUCH smoke? Meaning there was some? O.o

LOL, at least they'll fix it for you I'd suggest if they're going to replace gaskets ask them about the felpro gaskets. My mate wanted to put Malpro gaskets on, i've told him to put on felpro gaskets and he will now, they're better in higher performance engines and are run in some nascars (where temperature and stress is heaps). A mate had felpro gaskets in his vehicle for 28 years, and the only reason they didn't go any longer was because he decided to rebuild his engine and he had to replace the gaskets to do it

[Benjamin K]

Top of the temperature guage should be around 123-126 degrees. 130 SHOULD be off the charts (the needle wont go that far, you need to be in the "hidden menu" (Mode + Set held down when yoru switching the car one and pressing mode to goto coolant temp) to be abel to see the temperature from the guage).

Not MUCH smoke? Meaning there was some? O.o

LOL, at least they'll fix it for you I'd suggest if they're going to replace gaskets ask them about the felpro gaskets. My mate wanted to put Malpro gaskets on, i've told him to put on felpro gaskets and he will now, they're better in higher performance engines and are run in some nascars (where temperature and stress is heaps). A mate had felpro gaskets in his vehicle for 28 years, and the only reason they didn't go any longer was because he decided to rebuild his engine and he had to replace the gaskets to do it

Yeah a little bit (could of been steam.... it is dark and I couldn't tell the difference due to no street lights been on). The engine is starting fine and doesn't make any un usual sounds or vibrations. So I'll just have to wait and see. I'll keep you updated, still might try a home remedy when my bro rocks up.

PS: parked the car on concrete and from the looks of it there is no coolant leak so the problem doesn't seem to be there.

[Benjamin K]

Hey guys update.... On inspection the air filter is completely clogged with bugs and all sorts of debris (Could be a part of the problem?). One would think that's the kind of **** the dealer would check. I'm getting the thermostat checked out tomorrow. Fingers crossed the over heating didn't destroy any engine internals.

[Travy]

You have warranty from the dealership so take it straight back and tell them to fix it.....

[chargedvx6]

Check out www.l67torque.com • Index page , lots of good info there for the supercharged 6.

Any pics of your Calais?

pm sent

[Benjamin K]

Check out www.l67torque.com • Index page , lots of good info there for the supercharged 6.

Any pics of your Calais?

pm sent

Yeah, got pics I'll upload them once we finished.... I believe we have fully solved the problem. I'll also upload pics of the problem.

Got your PM and thanks for your help. When do we bleed the coolant lines? While the engine is running or while the car is switched off?

Cheers for all the help guys.

[chargedvx6]

Best to do it when running and warmed up. Just fooow that order over the 3 bleed points until he coolant comes out without bubbles and nice and smooth. Don't froget to rinse the coolant spilled conservatively with some water after.

[Benjamin K]

Best to do it when running and warmed up. Just fooow that order over the 3 bleed points until he coolant comes out without bubbles and nice and smooth. Don't froget to rinse the coolant spilled conservatively with some water after.

After changing the radiator and checking all the lines I found two problems. One the car looked like it had been driven all over Australia.... THREE TIMES! Without been serviced or getting the radiator cleaned properly. Clogged up to the max, then cleaning it I made a hole XD

So fixed that and it all came down to another fault, and you guys where right.... Sticky thermostat, but since I didn't feel like taking the charger off I just took it back and I get it back this afternoon. Thanks for the help guys.

[chargedvx6]

Good luck! Oh and get a pulley on it

[alien]

After changing the radiator and checking all the lines I found two problems. One the car looked like it had been driven all over Australia.... THREE TIMES! Without been serviced or getting the radiator cleaned properly. Clogged up to the max, then cleaning it I made a hole XD

So fixed that and it all came down to another fault, and you guys where right.... Sticky thermostat, but since I didn't feel like taking the charger off I just took it back and I get it back this afternoon. Thanks for the help guys.

You do know you DONT have to take the supercharger off right? You can change the thermostat by just taking the air intake off! It's when you need to change the inlet manifold gasket you have to unbolt the supercharger (if i said that). Just for future reference, if you need to change the thermostat ask for a failsafe one. They're a little more expensive (but still cheap) and instead of failing closed and causing the engine to overheat they fail open which just leaves the coolant flowing not causing your engine to overheat! It's not great, but it's definatly better than an overheated engine.

[Benjamin K]

You do know you DONT have to take the supercharger off right? You can change the thermostat by just taking the air intake off! It's when you need to change the inlet manifold gasket you have to unbolt the supercharger (if i said that). Just for future reference, if you need to change the thermostat ask for a failsafe one. They're a little more expensive (but still cheap) and instead of failing closed and causing the engine to overheat they fail open which just leaves the coolant flowing not causing your engine to overheat! It's not great, but it's definatly better than an overheated engine.

Erh I'll show you a picture of what I mean. One of the bolts is in accesible with a spanner or socket wrench. Only way around was to remove the whole charger. I'll show you pics in the morning....

That is only if the thermostat is where I believe it to be. But meh could be wrong, isn't it at the back under the intake? Refer to the picture...

If that is the place, one of the bolts mounting the intake was in accesible to me because of its angle facing towards the firewall.

I'm not saying it can't be done, but I couldn't figure it out. Any hints for next time it happens? I'll show you the bolt I'm talking about in the morning.

[chargedvx6]

Yeah just the throttle body and bypass need to come off or easier still is to take the U bend from the back of the charger. Prick of a fiddly job either way and if it's got warranty I know what I'd be doing

[cxcxcxvcvcvc]

Thermostat mate
My calais done the same thing untill i replaced the thermo!

[don0xer]

95% sure it will be air trapped in the system, bleed it properly from the front screw under snout > bleed from thermostat housing under TB > top of radiator. it could be the coolant temp sensor or the thermostat if that doesn't fix it