OK, so I have read a lot of threads about this same issue and I'd like to know what to do next. Symptoms: Water temperature gauge skyrockets and Engine 'HOT' warning alarm sounds. Within 5 seconds it returns to normal. The frequency of this is now at a point where I am really worried. Actions: On an unrelated matter, I replaced the radiator (approx 4-6mths ago). Same problem. Replaced the thermostat. Same problem. Replaced the radiator cap. Same problem. System pressure tested. All OK. If I top up the water in the radiator and the reservoir, it warning goes away but reappears after approx 7days. I topped up the reservoir today after the warning returned, but this didn't fix it. Also, the thermo fans are staying on after the engine is shut down. They eventually shut off. This has been going on for 6mths I reckon. I don't think the engine is overheating, but I don't trust my instincts on this one. My next step is to take it to a Holden Dealer, where in the past I have had the car serviced by a local reputable mechanic. Any suggestions, in particular anyone who has experienced the same problems? One last thing I noticed tonight, when my wife came back from grocery shopping, I popped the bonnet to fill up with water (again), and the radiator cap was only warm (is this normal). Went to open cap and water started to suck either from/to the reservoir? Is this normal. Hope the detail gives you some insight into my problem.
Intake manifold gaskets are a common issue with Ecotecs. Try tensioning the bolts holding it to the heads and if they are only finger tight then they are a strong possibility.
one test you could do is before you start your car hold the mode and set key together then start your car press mode a few times in there you will find coolant temprature gives you an exact temp in degrees
You obviously need a competent mechanic to check out your car properly but here are a few comments. 1. If you are having to top up the coolant after only 7 days or so of running then you obviously have a leak somewhere. A healthy cooling system with fluid at optimum levels should not need topping up after 7 days of normal running. For one, check the engine oil on the oil dip stick to see if there are any signs of coolant in the engine oil. This will show up as a whitish substance in the oil. If there is coolant contamination then coolant will be blowing into the engine lubrication system under pressure from a failed head gasket 2. You do not say if this is a high or low KM car so I assume it's done over 100000 km. You have not mentioned if the water pump has ever been changed. These do not last the life of the car . If the pump is faulty and in poor shape you will not get proper coolant circulation and the engine will overheat. 3. There are still some incompetent auto workers out there who cannot be bothered bleeding air out of the cooling system, properly and fully, after working on it because this takes time. If there are air blockages in the system because air has not been properly and completely bled from the cooling system you will get an overheating condition.
mate see if the belt to the water pump is tight then check and make sure the pump itself has no play in it. you might have a dud water pump...
Thanks gents for your responses. Sean, I agree that I need someone competent to look over the vehicle. In the meantime, I have topped up with approx 2.5lts water last night. I have checked the coolant temperature each time I arrive to work/home as per Tyrone's suggestion and both times so far the temp has read 90deg and 88 deg and no warnings since I topped up. I will watch the temp gauge and when it does it next I'll report in and let you know what the temp of the coolant reads. I agree that 7 days to top up means that water is going somewhere, although I can't see any leaks. The vehicle has done 175000kms so it could be the pump, but I'll check to see if any play is evident. Can anyone tell me if its normal that the cap should only be warm, or should it always be hot to touch? Paul
its used 2.5 lts hmmm by any chance have you got someone to rev the car while your standing behind of it not sure if it happens to vy commodores but some of the older modles can sometimes burst a coolant vain in the motor that joins with an exhast port and the coolant will leak str8 down into the exahust and out the back of the car happened to a vl i owned about 7 years ago as i said not sure if it happens to vy but just a thought just get someone to rev your car while your standing behind it and you will actually see the coolant shoot out the exhaust sorry if im not much help but thats all i got atm if its not leaking the water has to be going somewhere
This happened to my 03 VY Berlina on the way home from work yesterday so I will be watching this thread for updates. My car is not losing any coolant though and the overflow bottle is at the max level. As soon as I got the engine hot alarm I pulled over and the temp had already come back down by the time I got out of the car. The thermo fans weren't running and the top radiator hose was not rock hard so I don't think it was actually overheating, but like you I don't want to risk it. I saw the gauge start to climb a couple of minutes later but it came down again after getting to 2/3 without setting off the alarm and didn't happen again on the way home. I live at the top of a large hill so I figure if it was a real cooling problem it would of happened again when it was under load, but the gauge didn't budge. I might replace the thermostat on the weekend as my first thought was that it might be sticking.
My berlina had the same problem. Turned out that my Radiator hoses were too old and had cracked, this cased the radiator to die aswell. Replaced the hoses and radiator now no problem,
Krizza, we have the same model, mines an 02 berlina. The car is my possession at the moment as my wife normally drives it and I am watching it closely. Given the history of this problem, I expect that the temp alarm will sound again some time on the weekend. I plan on taking Tyrones advice and check the temperature of the coolant when the alarm sounds. To do this, pull over right away and turn the engine off. Hold the Mode & Set buttons together and turn the vehicle on (without starting it). Then press the Mode button 10-11 times and it will give you an exact coolant reading. My theory is that if the water temp is hot, it will still be the same temp when I pull over and check. Then I'll know if the car is overheating. I have tested this each time i arrive to work and home and each time the water temp has read between 88 & 90degs. As I have already replace the thermostat and the radiator cap, and the fact that the radiator is still under warranty (a new one), I'm starting to suspect the water pump. So on the weekend I plan to loosen the belt to see if there is any play in the water pump bearing (wherever the water pump is...I haven't checked yet). Failing this, it's getting booked in to another mechanic, possibly a holden dealer. I'll keep you all posted, but at this point the temp alarm hasnt sounded since I topped up both radiator and reservoir on Sundee night. Thanks for you email, this site is great as I am a first time user. Paul
Well tonight on way home the temp needle started to rise. Got to the red indicator then dropped back down. I pulled over and checked the temp and it read 95deg so there was definitely an increase in coolant temp. So why is the needle returning to a normal reading at 95deg? So I topped up the radiator only as the reservoir was still showing OK levels. The radiator took another 1 litre by the way so it's going somewhere??? I'm still keen to check the water pump if any play exists. Failing this, I think Holden can have a go at it.
even at 95 degrees i wouldnt be to worried seen that out of mine on very hot days with the aircon on and thats still below half way on my gauge mine usually sits around the 84-87 mark what worries me is where your coolant is actually going cause it HAS to be going somewhere and if its not in the oil its either leaking and you havnt noticed it OR its going out threw the exhaust either way it doesnt evaperate 2 litres in a week lol have you tried taking the top cover off your motor and searching the whole motor hoses and radiator for any signs of leaks just cause there isnt water on the ground doesnt mean its not leaking
Well since I've actually been driving the car and have had a good look, I have noticed some water leaking at the bottom of the radiator (bottom LHS) looking from the front. I can't see any hoses in this area but need to have a good look. If this is the case and it coming from the radiator, no probs, it's under warranty. HOWEVER, I only added 1 litre on Thursday night and it has stopped the hot temp warning - for now. 1 litre and a hot temp warning? That's odd. The system holds approx 13-14litres so it shouldn't be overheating if only 1 litre is lost (but the key is that there is an increase in water temp). I still suspect something else is amiss. Plan to remove belt this afternoon and check for play in water pump, and leaks in this area.
Checked the fluid level in my car on the weekend and sure enough it was low on coolant even though the overflow was full. After topping it up and taking it for a drive I found the coolant leak. My car is dual fuel and it has a slow leak from the LPG converter. It was hard to find because the converter sits above the passenger chassis rail, and the coolant was flowing down a hole in the rail and dripping out half way down the car. It is also a pretty slow leak so it must have been loosing coolant for a couple of months. I'm sure that the low coolant level is the cause of the temp alarm (probably due to an air bubble temporarily causing the thermostat to stop opening). Find and fix your leak and I bet the problem goes away.
