Overheating - solved for now :)

[minxgirl]

OK - Ive replaced the thermostat, had the radiator flushed and recored - now today the car decides to heat up fast and HOT...

Could it be the water pump - given the speed of the heating (maybe 2 blocks driving) and the relatively cool feeling radiator given that the temp guage was clocked

What can I check (and how)?

Any suggestions appreciated - the NRMA are linked up with the mechanics I dont want to use again and I know if the come here they will tow it (again) and I wont see the car for weeks..

It wasnt overheating yesterday ... maybe its pissed about the new gearshift boot *LMAO*
http://www.toymods.net/forums/showth...467#post313467

[Shifty]

This may seem simple.. but have you checked & bled the coolant? An air lock or low coolant level will cause your problem.

As far as your water pump goes... was the car having major overheating problems before you did all this work? If so then the water pump could be flogged... depending on your car that can be a real bitch of a job.

[Bananaman]

Did you do the coolant refill?

I always fill it up, turn on heater, squeeze pipes etc, then run the car with cap off, it'll take more, fill it up, bit more squeezage, wait until it stops bubbling much then put cap on. I've had airlocks before, they are bad :/

[minxgirl]

The car has only overheated once - and they changed the thermostat and did the radiator then - this was less than 200km of driving ago probably given that I only drive around town and the car spends most of the time sitting around with new problems immobilising itself or sitting in the mechanics workshop *LOL*

[minxgirl]

The radiator place in town and the mechanics were the last ppl to touch the coolant

[bobob]

Go and have a chat to them if you have the time... Hopefully they want to have a look for free..

But, keep in mind you have almost redone the whole system, they may blame the water pump...

[minxgirl]

keep in mind you have almost redone the whole system, they may blame the water pump...

Yeah...well thats why I am thinking that - it doesnt seem likely it would be the thermostat again...and it shouldnt be a blockage...I know the coolant level was ok when I checked it about a week ago and Ive only driven it once since that...I dont have any detectable leaks...
I am kinda stuck at home with two ferral small children now, so I cant go downtown and see the people who did the work...
The thermo fan is running fine, the radiator didnt even seem that hot given the temp guage reading...

[bobob]

Then it could be an airlock, the water pump or a collapsed hose?

Pinch a lower hose while its running you might be able to feel the water 'surging' past, a good sign.

If all else fails, take the kids with you, might make em hurry up!

Nice gear boot BTW..

[minxgirl]

If all else fails, take the kids with you, might make em hurry up!

Yeah - true!

Nice gear boot BTW..

*LOL* thanks mate

the car feels cool enough to play with so I am going to go and investigate the air lock hypothesis and failing that I will remove the thermostat and test it - see what I can see

[bobob]

With my car... if I park it on a hill, radiator pointing up and heater open it 'burps' heaps better..

Be sure to squash / flick the hoses to loosen any trapped air..

[Kagetsu]

Actually, funny (somewhat related) story. My car was overheating recently as well. Initially, I'd thought the thermostat failed, so I cut the centre out. The car continued to overheat, so I began to think perhaps the pump was on its way out. Couldn't check that, and would have sent it to a mechanic.

Turns out, I had a tiny leak in the return hose at the top of the radiator. The hose was buggered. Replaced it, all better.

While the return hose may not be the problem for you, it could be a small leak somewhere else. Have you had radiator fluid spitting out anywhere in your engine? An odd smell kind of like burning wax mixed with dirt.

[TurboRA28]

I find a coke bottle with the bottom cut off is good.. Put the lid end into the radiator and hold it firmly, then fill the coke bottle with coolant while the engine is running and you'll see bubbles come out.

Keep it there and filling it until no more bubbles.

[minxgirl]

Theres zero movement in the coolant at all with the engine running...the upper radiator hose feels fairly cool and the lower hose is warmish - the radiator is cold and the engine is hot.

Im hoping its the thermostat - Im letting it cool down again and I will remove it and test it.

There are no coolant leaks that are visable - but if it isnt the thermostat I will take it to the radiator people and ask for a pressure test.

Hope its the thermostat, nice cheap and simple job there *LOL*

[Aphox]

I know my thermostat rusted shut, didnt need one for last summer. I got the ta22 radiator cleaned out and now my temp guage often does what your saying, flying up within 2 blocks even though everything is mechanically fine. The fuel guage is also doing it so i'm suspecting gremlins, but if its not the thermostat you can always take it out and crank the heater to see how hot it gets.

[The Witzl]

even if the thermostat was busted, you should still see coolant movement i wouldve thought?

How's your fan belt? Does the coolant move if you rev it up to around 2000rpm?

Take the fan belt off and spin the waterpump pulley - you should feel some resistance cos of the water in there....