scrounga
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- Jan 28, 2012
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- Location
- Canberra, Australia
- Members Ride
- VE Omega ute. VZ Monaro (Sting Red)
Hi guys, Just want to know if anyone has a better theory. On our way back from Melbourne to Canberra today we stopped to change drivers. Shut the engine down and when I can back from the dunny it had dumped a heap of coolant. There was no coolant trail and nothing under the car except where the coolant had be dumped from the over flow bottle. Thought it MAY be a hot soak so took it for a quick run further along the highway with a very quick rise to limp home mode. RACV arrived and topped up the coolant and let it idle for a while with no problems so I followed him back to the Holden stealership and the temp was perfect with the air con on for the next 5-7 kms. When I stopped to say thanks for the help I looked back at the car, which was still running, to see it again dumping coolant. Long story short got brought home on the back of a truck. So the following occured:
Gen III V8.
Only overheated when the car was stationary with engine idling or switched off. Probably/ maybe could have driven home if I didn't stop. To far to chance it.
Thermos were working fine and hard.
No sign of a leak anywhere. Engine bay and under the car bone dry except for passenger side front where coolant was being force out of the overflow bottle.
No sign of a blown head gasket as engine was smooth and powerful and oil clean. Nice smooth idle.
Temp normal (1/4) when sitting on 110km/h before I stopped the first time and after visit by RACV.
Had the coolant replaced at the last service and has already been to Melbourne and back since then.
Conclussion: I suspect the radiator cap as this is the only way coolant can get to the overflow bottle but the dealership didn't have one (insert comment here) so I couldn't try it. I will get one tomorrow and keep my fingers crossed. I have been told by my son that VZ's are known to have radiator caps that fail. I have checked mine and it's the original but looks OK but I am suspicious of it. Besides it's 7 years old so a new one won't hurt and it's the cheapest and easiest place to start.
Any ideas on my conclusion would be welcome.
Thanks in advance.
PS when/if I have fixed the problem do the Gen III's need bleeding like the 6's???
Stu.
Gen III V8.
Only overheated when the car was stationary with engine idling or switched off. Probably/ maybe could have driven home if I didn't stop. To far to chance it.
Thermos were working fine and hard.
No sign of a leak anywhere. Engine bay and under the car bone dry except for passenger side front where coolant was being force out of the overflow bottle.
No sign of a blown head gasket as engine was smooth and powerful and oil clean. Nice smooth idle.
Temp normal (1/4) when sitting on 110km/h before I stopped the first time and after visit by RACV.
Had the coolant replaced at the last service and has already been to Melbourne and back since then.
Conclussion: I suspect the radiator cap as this is the only way coolant can get to the overflow bottle but the dealership didn't have one (insert comment here) so I couldn't try it. I will get one tomorrow and keep my fingers crossed. I have been told by my son that VZ's are known to have radiator caps that fail. I have checked mine and it's the original but looks OK but I am suspicious of it. Besides it's 7 years old so a new one won't hurt and it's the cheapest and easiest place to start.
Any ideas on my conclusion would be welcome.
Thanks in advance.
PS when/if I have fixed the problem do the Gen III's need bleeding like the 6's???
Stu.