Discussion
Hello all,
I need to ask for some advice, my girlfriend topped her water up on her fiesta tonight and forgot to put the cap back on. After driving to mine the water was almost all gone! I had a look and the car didn't seem to over heated, but we need to get the car back to her place, is there anything we can do bar getting a new cap?
Thanks
Booster
I need to ask for some advice, my girlfriend topped her water up on her fiesta tonight and forgot to put the cap back on. After driving to mine the water was almost all gone! I had a look and the car didn't seem to over heated, but we need to get the car back to her place, is there anything we can do bar getting a new cap?
Thanks
Booster
I wouldn't drive it - The problem is when you lose a cap the pressurised cooling system is not longer pressurised - what you will find is that water will begin to boil in the hottest part of the engine - this being the cylinder head - by doing this you stand a very good chance of cracking the cylinder head - which basically means replacing the engine - or the cylinder head at the very least - Not a good idea - Avoid driving it unless you absolutely have to. Its also important that you buy the correct cap for the car as you need the right pressure rating for the cooling system and they are all different - most caps will have the pressure rating on them in kPa
You should be able to drive it without any problems but a few precautions need to be taken.
Make sure the water is filled up right to the top. At least then you have as much spare as possible. Drive very cautiously. I'm talking 55mph max, no hard revving etc.
I drive a 306 all the way from the M25 where I sprung a coolant leak back to devon without a cap following my rules. With the cap on, the pressure builds and coolant is lost, but with no lid, it durant build in pressure.
Caps can be bought from halfords if you didn't know.
How far is the drive? Just get a few bottles of spare water and stop a few times to check if in doubt :-)
Make sure the water is filled up right to the top. At least then you have as much spare as possible. Drive very cautiously. I'm talking 55mph max, no hard revving etc.
I drive a 306 all the way from the M25 where I sprung a coolant leak back to devon without a cap following my rules. With the cap on, the pressure builds and coolant is lost, but with no lid, it durant build in pressure.
Caps can be bought from halfords if you didn't know.
How far is the drive? Just get a few bottles of spare water and stop a few times to check if in doubt :-)
Thanks guys,
The drive is from Stevenage to Harlow so not a massive distance but enough to get the water nice and hot!
We checked halfords last night and they could only order one in! So it's a trip to the breakers Monday morning or fords for us.
Untill then we decided to leave the car here and make me taxi! Oh the joys!!!
The drive is from Stevenage to Harlow so not a massive distance but enough to get the water nice and hot!
We checked halfords last night and they could only order one in! So it's a trip to the breakers Monday morning or fords for us.
Untill then we decided to leave the car here and make me taxi! Oh the joys!!!
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