VY V6 overheating but radiator cap cold...

[Ray Hastie]

Hi all, I have an 04 VY V6 wagon that is overheating... I put 5L of coolant in it 3 days ago, but driving home tonight it overheated but the radiator cap was cool to the touch... Top hose was soft and squishy (as far as I can remember that's good...) I let the engine cool, removed the radiator cap and started the engine and there was coolant coming through the system, so replaced the cap back on but still kept overheating... is this a radiator cap issue, or perhaps a blockage somewhere? I'm not very car savvy and really need some help as this is my only transport... Cheers all!!!

 

[Immortality]

Probably a stuffed thermostat that is not opening. The top hose should also be hard as the cooling system pressurizes when it gets up to temp so the radiator cap may also be buggered.

 

[rambunctious]

I am not familiar with the VY but it sounds like a thermostat problem.
Of course a car that old could have dirty radiator
Check the fan is working as well

 

[Ray Hastie]

Not too expensive I hope??? Thermostat that is... will double check top hose as well... as frustrating as that is because it was only replaced in January...

 

[Immortality]

Thermostat $15? Gasket $3-5? maybe some silastic sealant and I think a 13mm socket/ratchet. Should take about 20 minutes to change but you need to fill and bleed the cooling system properly or it will keep overheating. If you needed to add 5 liters of coolant you may just have a bigger problem elsewhere. Have the intake gaskets been changed? Is there an brown/orange sludge under the radiator cap?

 

[Ray Hastie]

No gaskets changed... under radiator cap has a slight orange tinge

 

[Immortality]

Change the thermostat, fill and bleed the cooling system and then monitor the coolant level.