Over heated engine

[toey]

Hey all, merry christmas!

I did a 10-11 hour drive today, with the last 3-4 being non-stop. I did this same drive once before and with regular stops.

Towards the end I got the computer message that the engine was over heated, and the needle was very much on the red 'H'. I pulled over in the tunnel, opened my bonnet to hopefully cool it down, and could hear the fan working overtime.

Later a tow truck came and towed me away (the cameras had seen me) to a close by street so I wouldn't remain in the tunnel.

Thereafter I drove home, but had to stop multiple times due to the engine being over heated and having to wait for it to cool down a bit. I read the manual and it said one reason may be due to lack of coolant. I checked the coolant, but not really sure how to read it - there is a faint red mark, is that the indicator? Or is it the liquid which creates the bubbles in the holes?

Anyway, just wanted to know if I've done any damage to the engine or anything? There wasn't any smoke or anything, and when I felt the engine it wasn't extremely hot. When I drove it afterwards. other than the temperature issue, it seemed fine, but I am worried I may have busted something inside?

Thanks in advance for any input.

[ashbox]

maybe your thermostat has shit itself

[the_trademarc]

Radiator Cap's shit itself.
20bucks, get a new one from Holden, top up the radiator, drain and replace the Coolant if you feel you need to as well.
Wouldnt say there would be any damage to the vehicle, unless the radiator's completely cooked the content.

My question is, didnt you notice your Temp Gauge creeping up over half, or did it just shoot up from the normal position?

[toey]

Radiator Cap's shit itself.
20bucks, get a new one from Holden, top up the radiator, drain and replace the Coolant if you feel you need to as well.
Wouldnt say there would be any damage to the vehicle, unless the radiator's completely cooked the content.

My question is, didnt you notice your Temp Gauge creeping up over half, or did it just shoot up from the normal position?

I didn't notice, because I was just cruising away to my music, first thing that came to me was that beeping sound and the flashing icon indicating a hot engine.

If I've done damage to the engine, is there any way to tell? Like unusual motor sounds, unsmooth running etc? Because I tried it again today, and everything seems normal except the temp can go up rather quickly after a short period of driving.

[the_trademarc]

If I've done damage to the engine, is there any way to tell? Like unusual motor sounds, unsmooth running etc? Because I tried it again today, and everything seems normal except the temp can go up rather quickly after a short period of driving.

It would be pretty noticeable if you're engine's cooked. You would be able to tell the difference.
The fact the temp gauge shot up quickly means you're radiator's got minimal/no water in it. If you keep driving it like that, yo will damage the radiator and eventually seize the engine.
Best thing to do is top it up with water, and if you're dealer's open tomorrow, grab a radiator cap from them and replace it. Make sure you're hose isn't broken, or you havent blown a gasket, because a new cap won't make a difference if that's the case.

But 95% of the time, this issue is solved with a water top-up and a cap replacement. Like I said, if you're coolant becomes very diluted, it would be worth doing a flush. Doesn't cost much, you could do it yourself if you like.

[Danoz]

Im going to go with water pump has a leak. The coolant is missing for a reason.

BTW, DONT keep driving it like that. You will severely damage your motor.

[toey]

It would be pretty noticeable if you're engine's cooked. You would be able to tell the difference.
The fact the temp gauge shot up quickly means you're radiator's got minimal/no water in it. If you keep driving it like that, yo will damage the radiator and eventually seize the engine.
Best thing to do is top it up with water, and if you're dealer's open tomorrow, grab a radiator cap from them and replace it. Make sure you're hose isn't broken, or you havent blown a gasket, because a new cap won't make a difference if that's the case.

But 95% of the time, this issue is solved with a water top-up and a cap replacement. Like I said, if you're coolant becomes very diluted, it would be worth doing a flush. Doesn't cost much, you could do it yourself if you like.

Hey, really sorry to ask such a stupid question, but where does the water go?? I used to have a 2000 Honda Civic and it had a water box you had to re-fill regularly, but I've noticed from the VZ manual that there isn't a similar thing???

Also, I won't be driving it much more, my car is due for service on Tuesday so will only drive it to the dealer then. I'm just afraid that if I tell them what has happened, they will seize the opportunity and charge me $$$ for something they're supposed to do anyway (like topping up the coolant). Reckon I should just say the car's been running fine?

[the_trademarc]

Hey, really sorry to ask such a stupid question, but where does the water go?? I used to have a 2000 Honda Civic and it had a water box you had to re-fill regularly, but I've noticed from the VZ manual that there isn't a similar thing???

Also, I won't be driving it much more, my car is due for service on Tuesday so will only drive it to the dealer then. I'm just afraid that if I tell them what has happened, they will seize the opportunity and charge me $$$ for something they're supposed to do anyway (like topping up the coolant). Reckon I should just say the car's been running fine?

The radiator cap is the black cap with the yellow writing, just around the bottom right of the engine manifold.

I've attached a shobby paint job with where it is.
Apologies, it is 1235am, and I cbf making it prettier lol.
Should be able to get the picture.

[the_trademarc]

Im going to go with water pump has a leak. The coolant is missing for a reason.

BTW, DONT keep driving it like that. You will severely damage your motor.

Well, if he has a leak from under the car, then yes, but otherwise it would be just be a low water level in the radiator, with low coolant levels too.

[toey]

The radiator cap is the black cap with the yellow writing, just around the bottom right of the engine manifold.

I've attached a shobby paint job with where it is.
Apologies, it is 1235am, and I cbf making it prettier lol.
Should be able to get the picture.

Thanks mate! I know it's late, so really appreciate it!!

[Danoz]

Well, if he has a leak from under the car, then yes, but otherwise it would be just be a low water level in the radiator, with low coolant levels too.

Like I said, the coolant is missing from somewhere. It dosent just evaporate. He has a leak. Simply topping it up and replacing the cap will not fix the problem.

[PaulSV6]

You'll know if the radiator cap is buggered, there will be dried coolant around that area.

[Torquative]

not necessarily Paul, about an hour ago we found Andrews had low coolant (lost about a litre) because the cap had disintegrated (the plunger bit had clean broken off from the cap and the seal has practically disappeared on one side. We only changed the coolant the day before skidpan day back in October so its happened since then.

Lucky we checked, otherwise we might have our own story to tell. So I've chucked mine into his car because we cant run his on a 1000 kay trip with a bung cap.

Problem is surprisingly there was no tell-tale sign around the cap, and considering the engine hasn't been cleaned for ages its not like its possible the coolants been washed away either.

Weird but we caught it in time anyway

[Danoz]

Generally the cap has been buggered for a while due to the rubber disintegrating. I think you will find in many cases when you replaces the cap, coolant starts leaking from other places as its the first time the system has been pressurised in a while. I was chasing my tail for a few weeks after a simple cap change. All fixed now though.

[the_trademarc]

Generally the cap has been buggered for a while due to the rubber disintegrating. I think you will find in many cases when you replaces the cap, coolant starts leaking from other places as its the first time the system has been pressurised in a while. I was chasing my tail for a few weeks after a simple cap change. All fixed now though.

I think that will depend on how bad it is before you pick it up. I noticed mine pretty early, and managed to replace the cap without losing too much coolant, did have to top up my radiator a couple times, but the coolant didnt dilute out.
I believe the method is to top up the radiator halfway, start the car, pour some more water in, wait for it to cackle and then mix in with the coolant, and it should spit out of the top, a pinkish mixture. If it doesnt spit out after a minute, then should check underneath the car for any hose damage or leakage.

[Danoz]

Also, dont forget to bleed out the air on the radiator bleed screw. top driverside.

[toey]

Hey all, I bought some coolant today and when I poured some into where the dipstick coolant is (as per the manual) it leaked onto the ground immediately!! Everything I poured just leaked back out, it was unbelievable.

I had a look under my car and couldn't see any holes or anything, it appears to be leaking from somewhere between the top and bottom. God this is bad...

[the_trademarc]

Hey all, I bought some coolant today and when I poured some into where the dipstick coolant is (as per the manual) it leaked onto the ground immediately!! Everything I poured just leaked back out, it was unbelievable.

I had a look under my car and couldn't see any holes or anything, it appears to be leaking from somewhere between the top and bottom. God this is bad...

Definitely got a buster water pump then. If you're getting it serviced on Tuesday, I'd recommend straight Tow to the dealership. Don't drive it in. (Use Roadside if you have it)
Or maybe even call the dealership up. Some may be happy to organise a Tow, but if its first Tuesday morning, I'd doubt they'd have the time.

[VK SL 3800]

Sounds like the Coolant reserve bottle has cracked or the pipe between it and the radiator. Very common problem with early VE's but i dunno know about VZ's.

[toey]

Thanks guys.
Any idea if this sort of thing is covered under the warranty that requires me to have it serviced at Holden? Or are they going to take advantage of me and rape my wallet?

[ClairBear]

If you are talking about an extended warranty, then you would have paperwork that will list everything that is and isn't covered.

[the_trademarc]

Thanks guys.
Any idea if this sort of thing is covered under the warranty that requires me to have it serviced at Holden? Or are they going to take advantage of me and rape my wallet?

And something like this will not be covered by Extended Warranty, because, if you took it out and read the fineprint, just about nothing is really covered.
And something like this will more than likely come back to you, with them saying you should have been more aware of it and not drive it while low.

But if its under factory warranty, which unless you have a 5-year extended factory warranty, it won't be cuz its too old, you may have a chance of covering it under factory warranty.

Either way, be ready to fork out some money, 20 for the cap, not sure bout the water hose, and then the service on top of that.
P.S. Car been serviced regularly, according to the books? And what service are you doing on Tuesday? 90k?

[Danoz]

I have been saying water pump all along.... Next will be the o-ring seals under the throttle body. Once the system is pressurised they will fail next. Might as well get them all done at the same time mate. It will be cheaper for you in the long run.

[toey]

And something like this will not be covered by Extended Warranty, because, if you took it out and read the fineprint, just about nothing is really covered.
And something like this will more than likely come back to you, with them saying you should have been more aware of it and not drive it while low.

But if its under factory warranty, which unless you have a 5-year extended factory warranty, it won't be cuz its too old, you may have a chance of covering it under factory warranty.

Either way, be ready to fork out some money, 20 for the cap, not sure bout the water hose, and then the service on top of that.
P.S. Car been serviced regularly, according to the books? And what service are you doing on Tuesday? 90k?

Yeah I've been servicing it as required by Holden, and Tuesday will be the 90k one.

Thanks for all the help guys.

[-**wHiStLe**-]

Sorry if it's already been said but I'm in a hurry and don't have time to read the other posts but... It is possible that when a car is running so hot that the pressure in the hoses can create a pin prick hole and slowly leak out but with it being a newish car I doubt it's that.