Welcome to Just Commodores, a site specifically designed for all people who share the same passion as yourself.

New Posts Contact us

Just Commodores Forum Community

It takes just a moment to join our fantastic community

Register

Vx ecotec overheating

MitchF91

New Member
Joined
Dec 26, 2009
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Sydney
Members Ride
VX S Pac
Hi guys,
Had this problem for a little while. Originally was leaking too so I've replaced the inlet manifold gasket and over the last few months also the water pump, thermostat, radiator and top and bottom hoses.
For a few months I've been getting the intermittent temp spikes and drops, tried to bleed the system several times. Decided to take a new approach at replace the coolant temp sensor or the side of the thermostat housing, which has made no difference at all.

There are no leaks that I can see anywhere, and even when the gauge has read full scale I've never blown any coolant?

Ideas as to what it can be? I'm stumped.
 

VX Exec

New Member
Joined
Oct 24, 2011
Messages
146
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Age
33
Location
Wilberforce NSW
Members Ride
VX Executive S1
Might be the system losing pressure and not circulating properly, I've had it happen a few times now.
 

K-BAGZ

De Plane! De Plane!
Joined
Dec 22, 2012
Messages
524
Reaction score
12
Points
0
Location
Far North QLD
Members Ride
VR II S-pac V6 Ute / VZ SV6 Sedan / VZ R8
Cooling system pressure test and radiator cap test and go from there.
 

BMW328i

New Member
Joined
Mar 22, 2013
Messages
16
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Sydney ####
Members Ride
LEXCEN, VN, VR, VT,
try bleeding the system again but this time, turn the heater on.
 

WhiteVXBerlina

New Member
Joined
Nov 17, 2009
Messages
11
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Members Ride
VX Berlina S1
Hi,

I've had a similar problem, except that it happened this afternoon for the very first time.

I was driving home from work and suddenly got the alarm for the temperature gauge as it was approaching the top of the scale. My wife turned the air con onto heating and it immediately dropped in temp, but I drove another 800 metres or so to the next servo and put nearly 1.8 litres of water into it.

I'm hoping it's just one of those things where I got lazy and hadn't checked the water for a while and it ran out and I filled it before doing any damage. Any other ideas? I have had to replace the radiator cap in the past so is it possible that the cap has passed it's used by date?

Cheers,

Ben
 

VX Exec

New Member
Joined
Oct 24, 2011
Messages
146
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Age
33
Location
Wilberforce NSW
Members Ride
VX Executive S1
Ben, considering you put 2 litres of water into it i'd put it down to forgetfulness.
 

WhiteVXBerlina

New Member
Joined
Nov 17, 2009
Messages
11
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Members Ride
VX Berlina S1
Hi VX Exec,

Thanks for getting back to me. I know the system is supposed to have 12 litres in it in total, so would I be safe in assuming that I hit the minimum 'safe' level?

Thanks,

Ben
 

s_ikari2015

Fun IS easier with an 8
Joined
Nov 16, 2007
Messages
697
Reaction score
30
Points
28
Location
Australia
Members Ride
'02 Monaro V2 CV8, '90 Toyota Sera
For the OP, I second the motion for a pressure test. Natrad or somewhere similar could do it for you pretty quickly and cheaply.
 

Cheap6

New Member
Joined
Jun 19, 2005
Messages
2,498
Reaction score
74
Points
0
Members Ride
VP Exec
In either case, there should be no noticeable loss of coolant (the system uses a recovery bottle). There has to be a leak somewhere. If the cooling system is leaking you will get overheating because if coolant is leaking out, air is "leaking" in to replace it. Air is not a particularly good coolant (at least compared to to ethylene glycol and water).
 

VX Exec

New Member
Joined
Oct 24, 2011
Messages
146
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Age
33
Location
Wilberforce NSW
Members Ride
VX Executive S1
Hi VX Exec,

Thanks for getting back to me. I know the system is supposed to have 12 litres in it in total, so would I be safe in assuming that I hit the minimum 'safe' level?

Thanks,

Ben
I know from a fair few harsh summers, 2-3 ltrs is all it takes
 
Top