Robin Mullan

Help, i was on my way to work yesterday morning, just as i got to work the coolant temp gauge went through the roof. The bottom radiator hose was cold and the system was really highly pressurerised, so i put a thermostat in it thinking it was sticking, car ran ok until today when the same thing happened so i pulled over to let it cool down and had to put nearly 2 litres of water in it, but again the bottom hose was cold.

So it seems like poor circulation to me, i fitted a radiator to it last year as was leaking, so doubt that that is blocked, was thinking it maybe the impellars on the waterpump breaking up, anyone had any similar problems or maybe know the answer ?

Cheers.

B0DSKI

iTrader: (17)

Sounds like it's got a air lock and needs bleeding to me

StickyMicky

if that were the case i would be wondering how all the air got inside a sealed up system ?

B0DSKI

iTrader: (17)

Same way as it gets into a sealed system in a central heating system in a house

StickyMicky

central heating systems have head gaskets

Robin Mullan

When i try to bleed the system out it just p**ses coolant out of the header tank got very hot again about half an hour ago and again the coolant hoses were like rocks and the bottom radiator hose was cold.

B0DSKI

iTrader: (17)

rossi_classicwrx

have you felt accross the radiator to make sure the coolant is flowing through it? thats what i always do first. Just an idea

shep ppp

Possible water pump failure the impeller might be adrift inside ?? so no circulation

Robin Mullan

Thats what i thought.

Robin Mullan

Will try that, but the radiator is not even a year old.

kingofturds

iTrader: (1)

I had the same problem last month, turned out to be the thermosatat sticking

Microstar

If the hoses go hard soon after the engine is started and its also pushing water out then the head gasket has gone - its blowing combustion gas into the coolant passages and pressurising the system.

Robin Mullan

Oh ****.

The coolant hoses only pressurise when the car is up to running temp, but i cant understand why i did 30 miles yesterday without any probs, yet earlier only drove 5 miles and it boiled over again, do you seriously reckon it is a head gasket.

Microstar

Without seeing the car its difficult to say. But you did mention rock hard hoses and its blowing water out, which is often a sign of combustion gas being forced into the coolant.

If you take it to your local MoT station, pay them £10 and ask them to wave their 4-gas-analyser probe over the header tank (cap off) - if they pick up more than about 50ppm HC then that's combustion products and HG has gone.

If its randomly OK, not OK, then it could be defective thermostat.

Robin Mullan

I ve tried 2 thermostats now, so it defo is not that, can t get the car to a local MOT station as don t want to risk damaging a £4300 engine block so i have started to take it apart to gain access to the water pump to check the impellars, does any one know if there is a special tool to hold the crankshaft pulley whilst trying to undo the centre bolt, or does anyone have any other ideas bearing in mind that i dont have any access to an air compressor.

Cheers.

Microstar

Put it in 5th gear and get someone to hold it on the footbrake?

If you are in AA/RAC they can test for head gasket failure. They have an 'indicator dye' liquid that goes in a kind of test tube. Air from above the header tank is drawn through it and if it changes colour then the head gasket has gone.
You can also buy this stuff yourself from Brown Brothers or from Frost - costs about £40 for the kit and liquid - so cheaper to call in the RAC!

Robin Mullan

I have now removed the waterpump, impellars are all ok and intact, have tried 2 thermostats, checked the radiator, is only a year old, water is flowing through it ok.

Are my worst fears now becoming a reallity ?

scoobyboy

defo head gasket problem now

Robin Mullan

Oh bollox, both head gaskets are only just over 2 years old.

DevilHimSelf

Is the exhaust blowing white smoke or dark smoke when idle?

If its white, im afraid the Head gasket has gone.

Sry had the same problem myself, after a few months of owning the car, ende up getting a new short block.

Also when replacing the headgasket get the double steel ones, the best imo.

Wish yah the best what ever is the problem!

WRXTek

I think you need to flush the system

mickyjeff

iTrader: (2)

32 years in the trade, head gasket failure is no 1 suspect, but if you can get it either pressue tested or the mot stations sniffer just to make sure, if you ask nicely your local garage might lend you a presure tester or the hydrometer that checks for gases in the system.
good luck m8
mickyjeff

Robin Mullan

Cheers guys, i should be able to get hold of a hydrometer, but its not blowing white smoke out of the exhaust.

[Davey]

When you re-fill the system how are you doing it?

Robin Mullan

By disconnecting the top hose from the radiator, filling up the radiator and filling the rest of the system through the hose leaving the header tank cap off to try and force as much air out of the system as possible.

Robin Mullan

thought id get rid of those number of posts quickly, was on 666

[Davey]

Shouldnt have any air locks then.. does sound like everything is pointing to CHG