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How long can I drive with an over heated engine?

kobechu

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Hi all,

Seems like as with many others, I have an engine that over heats at random times, and the cause is unknown. I have had it looked over by two mechanics and neither know the problem. So I have just come to live with it and have spare coolant in the trunk at all times.

My question is, how long can I drive for once the temperature needle hits high and I get a warning that the engine is over heated? Obviously I know I should stop asap but this isn't always possible. One time I was about 1km from home and was wondering if I could just slowly drive home with an over heated engine? Or would the engine blow up?

Also, how long should I usually wait until it's safe to open the coolant cap?
 

figjam

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If the engine is overheating, and two mechanics can't find the reason, suggest you look for a couple more with knowledge.... eg Natrad or similar.
The radiator could be blocked with rubbish, inside or on the outside, the thermostat could be stuffed.
Don't drive it when it is hot, that extra 1km could cost $$$.
How long before you open the cap ? How much pain can you bear ?
Wait till it is cold. It may have been OK last century to put a towel over the hot radiator. turn the cap to the first stop, then quickly stand back.
 

Fu Manchu

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The cooling system maintenance on VZ is quite easy to do.

Once the top and bottom hoses are removed, you can flush the radiator with the hose to try clear any blockages.

The cap could be stuffed and letting coolant out, but not in. They are $30 to replace.

The coolant sensor can be changed while your system has been opened and they are cheap too. Easy to change.

The rest comes down to correct coolant type. Make sure you are using red. Please tell us you haven’t mixed red and green.

The air needs to be bled out by running the car a while with a bleed funnel in the coolant filler. This will remove all air. The bleed screw on the radiator won’t even come close to doing this. It will help fill the radiator though.
 

Immortality

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Pull over as soon as it is safe to do so, even if you have to coast it but I wouldn't keep it under load.
 

gossie

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Driving an overheated car will damage it.
Find the problem
 

shane_3800

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You need to find a decent mechanic. I can't believe two and they still couldn't work it out....
 

07GTS

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is it actually over heating or just a coolant temp sensor playing up ?
 

vc commodore

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Is it actually loosing water to create the overheating issue? Or does it just randomly go up on the gauge cluster to show it is getting hot?

Yes, coasting to pull over as soon as possible is the best thing to do with it overheating...It would also be nice to know the answer to the questions I have posted up....
 

greenacc

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If it is losing coolant and then overheating, replace the radiator cap. You are going to have to spend some money to solve this with or without a good mechanic. A new genuine Holden cap is a good place to start.
 

Heavy VT

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You need to work out if it is actually overheating or it is an electrical issue with the gauge?

Or air in the system, as it is a common problem.
 
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