SinghSuperStud

iTrader: (2)

Ok - just had to pull over as the car has started to overheat randomly. Engine temp according to the dashboard gauge is high, bordering on the red zone and a blast of the heaters gives cold air??!!

Smoke/steam coming out of engine bay by the front side!

What can I do?



Coolant is blue and fine, nothin else obvious.

Please help :-)

scooby_tish

iTrader: (8)

i know this could be a long shot but u mite have a air lock in ur system try bleeding the system as when i did my coolant change i didnt bleed it properly and it happened to me

SinghSuperStud

iTrader: (2)

I did think that but the car has been fine for the last two months? Surely you would notice an airlock straight after a change etc? Not 8 weeks later?

largeSteve

iTrader: (2)

no heat from the heater would normally mean you have lost water, have you looked to see where the steam is coming from?. Probably burst/split hose or feked rad.

nessscoob

Cold air from the heaters suggests that it's not your stat or that. Usually means one of two things, an air lock or flow problem, or possible head gasket failure.....

SinghSuperStud

iTrader: (2)

The steam was comin from the thick black pipe that goes across the front of the engine bay by te bonnet catch/top of radiator.

Can't be head gasket failure as it's just been rebuilt?!

Is there an idiots guide to bleeding the system? The scooby garage I normally go to is closed :-(

nessscoob

All I've ever done when changing the coolant is disconnect the hoses and remove header tank top to drain the system, then stuck a hose in to flush the system out. Reconnect the hoses. When refilling the system disconnect the hose from from turbo to header tank t header tank end. Fill the system via that hose which backflips the system meaning you shouldn't get any airlocks.

Glowplug

iTrader: (8)

There is. Use the search, search for "air lock" and read some of the results.

largeSteve

iTrader: (2)

Check the pipe over mine had been rubbing on something and had worn a pin hole in it, loads of steam like you said.

vindaloo

Cold heater suggests no water in that part of the cooling circuit. I'd guess there's a leak. If done from cool or cold, try inspecting the hoses with the use of a torch or similar whilst the engine's idling. Revving the engine slightly can also help with pinpointing the exact location of any pinholes.

J.

SinghSuperStud

iTrader: (2)

Found a leak!! Steam was coming out of the black plastic surround that goes over the top of the radiator!! Almost like somebody had stuck a screwdriver in!!

Mate said it's part of the rad so I'll need a new rad?