matt-c

iTrader: (5)

Pulling off A road the other day water temp sky high, oil temp high and rising + loads of steam/smoke from engine bay....

Managed to limp for a mile to my destination.

Does it sound like the gasket?

What would you do? Just get the gaskets done or replace other bits while engine is out?

ryansclassicscoob

Did it smoke from the exhaust ? Could be water pump.

matt-c

iTrader: (5)

I didnt notice clouds of smoke from the exhaust, seemed to be more from under bonnet front right hand area.

Could see some in the rear view but might have been blowing under car.

Busterbulldog

iTrader: (1)

sounds like it could be a hose

matt-c

iTrader: (5)

That would be a result, hopefully temps did not get high enough to do any other damage.

Feeling a bit more positive about it now, will find out on Monday.

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

Could be a hose, the radiator itself, or headgaskets.
Or the h/g might have been damaged when it overheated

Make sure to get a "sniff test" done.

If it IS h/g, the engine has to come out. It's a good idea to have it split and replace the crankshaft bearings at the same time...they have a habit of failing just after h/g is done

Also, while engine is out, check condition of clutch etc.

JohnD

iTrader: (5)

Bit confused about the connection between the water pump and exhaust

OP - You didn't say if it was a 2ltr or early 2.5?
If it's a 2.5 then it wouldn't come as a massive surprise! Not common on the 2ltr.

JohnD

Tidgy

def sounds more like a hose, if there is damage may have been the driving home that did it. if you had pulled over and stopped the engine straight away then would have been coolant left in it and replacement hose, top up coolant and away you go. the driving without coolant may have fried it

Always make sure if you get smoke pull over and stop the engine as soon as safley possible to do, can save the engine from total destruction.

my classic has done it and no damage doen cos i pulled over straight away. also had the beemer do it twice (once split hose, once blew the hose off) and been fine since.

matt-c

iTrader: (5)

It's a 2L car, tbh I would be surprised if it was HG, it's only running 340 ish and the engine seems tight, engine bay is very clean.

BUT, the gases coming out did not smell like just steam. Hopefully it's a hose but will see.

It did start ok in the morning when i drove it up onto the flat bed truck.

matt-c

iTrader: (5)

I know ( I would have stopped the car if i was alone, but had GF and on the way somewhere. I was only 1 mile and kept revs v low. Water temp warning was not activated, although the defi put the oil at 120 !

barnshaw

iTrader: (1)

should not have drove it mate, especially for the sake of one mile as you say, just hope you have not cooked anything or nothing is warped. Hope it is OK and something small though and you can get back on the road again quickly.

matt-c

iTrader: (5)

Thanks, should get initial diagnosis today.

Tidgy

no water for it to take a reading from, 120 oil temp is a bit worrying, was that peak?

realy depends on if you get away with it then by the sounds of it. looks like engine temp did spike, with cold weather etc and 120 (limit of where i'd dare risk it) may be lucky, depends if your lucky or not.

matt-c

iTrader: (5)

Apparently radiator has a hole in it, so getting a new one fitted, then fire up and see what happens.

Tidgy

only way to tell, fingers cross for you dude

JohnD

iTrader: (5)

If you're running a decent full-synthetic oil you shouldn't need worry about it not doing it's job at 120c although that figure certainly indicated a problem!
Hope it's "just" the rad.

JohnD

ryansclassicscoob

I meant if there was no smoke from the exhaust prob not head gasket but if the water pump had failed the system would of pressurised and blown something under the bonnet,

matt-c

iTrader: (5)

Apparently it was just the radiator!! Very relieved, but i think I'll be adding some breakdown insurance on my policy just in case some hidden damage was done.

gutbucket

Sounds like hose or rad. I had a similar problem where steam poured from the front of my wrx and out of the bonnet. Really embarrassing getting it home. Turned out it was just a pin ***** hole in the rad squirting water onto the hot pipe at the bottom. Easily solved, thank god. Looked a lot worse than it was.