Freezing Weather and boiling coolant.
Discussion
I expect there is an "experienced" answer to this one.
Took the car out today, outside temperature 1 to 2 degrees. After three miles the temperature gauge hit 90 degrees and there were loud gurgling sounds under the bonnet.
I stopped, let it cool down, added some water but no more than half a pint.
Started the car and came home with the temperture gradually falling to 70 degrees.
Once home I left it on tick over and it stayed at just below 90 degrees with no more gurgling.
My thoughts have gone from water pump to air lock, but I don't know.
The anti-freeze is at the right concentration and I check the fluid level regularly, the only thing I did differently today was alter the heater controls to hot.
Any clues much appreciated.
Took the car out today, outside temperature 1 to 2 degrees. After three miles the temperature gauge hit 90 degrees and there were loud gurgling sounds under the bonnet.
I stopped, let it cool down, added some water but no more than half a pint.
Started the car and came home with the temperture gradually falling to 70 degrees.
Once home I left it on tick over and it stayed at just below 90 degrees with no more gurgling.
My thoughts have gone from water pump to air lock, but I don't know.
The anti-freeze is at the right concentration and I check the fluid level regularly, the only thing I did differently today was alter the heater controls to hot.
Any clues much appreciated.
If you have to top up your coolant or replace it by any significant amount it is always worth letting the engine run with the top off to the expansion tank and the heater set to hot and maximum. Do this for a couple of minutes and it should get rid of any airlocks and leave everything ok.
You shouldn't need to do this is you have only topped up a little bit and air shouldn't have got into the system unless you have a leak or a crack somewhere
You shouldn't need to do this is you have only topped up a little bit and air shouldn't have got into the system unless you have a leak or a crack somewhere
moresauce,
I have had a small coolant leak for about a year. It's a small amount from somewhere on the radiator that only happens when the syatem has cooled down. Under normal running the overall expansion means there is no leakage.
To date two good independants has not been able to locate it despite pressure testing so I have not gone to the expense of a recore or new radiator.
I guess liquid out means air in, do you feel that would result in the symptoms described ?
I have had a small coolant leak for about a year. It's a small amount from somewhere on the radiator that only happens when the syatem has cooled down. Under normal running the overall expansion means there is no leakage.
To date two good independants has not been able to locate it despite pressure testing so I have not gone to the expense of a recore or new radiator.
I guess liquid out means air in, do you feel that would result in the symptoms described ?
I'm not at expert at this having only learnt all I said above when discussing a airlock in an previosu car of mine.
I agree though that common sense says liquid out means air in and I guess over time that has caused a small air lock to develop. I agree with what you say about needless expense searching all the hoses but do keep an eye on the coolant level and maybe consider adding "water wetter" to your coolant to make it more efficent.
It won't clear your leak though!
I agree though that common sense says liquid out means air in and I guess over time that has caused a small air lock to develop. I agree with what you say about needless expense searching all the hoses but do keep an eye on the coolant level and maybe consider adding "water wetter" to your coolant to make it more efficent.
It won't clear your leak though!
p400pls said:
I expect there is an "experienced" answer to this one.
Took the car out today, outside temperature 1 to 2 degrees. After three miles the temperature gauge hit 90 degrees and there were loud gurgling sounds under the bonnet.
Took the car out today, outside temperature 1 to 2 degrees. After three miles the temperature gauge hit 90 degrees and there were loud gurgling sounds under the bonnet.
To heat up that quickly suggests you had nil water circulation. Since you know the fan belt was on and the water pump was still intact, the most likely reason is an air lock inside the pump. This can happen if the water level has been allowed to get very low or something else that dumps a load of air into the system. Since the heater return is straight into the pump inlet, it sounds feasible that the problem was a heater full of air dumped out when you opened the valve. Bleed the engine and radiator carefully when you get a chance, and hope it doesn't happen again.
Reporting back after checking the coolant system, and yes the PistonHeads collective were correct, there was plenty of air coming out, after which a whole lot more coolant went in.
Left it running on the drive and the temperature went up to 70 and stayed there.
Half speed fans cut in and the temperature went down.
All looking good now, but I think I'll bite the bullet on the new radiator at the next service.
Left it running on the drive and the temperature went up to 70 and stayed there.
Half speed fans cut in and the temperature went down.
All looking good now, but I think I'll bite the bullet on the new radiator at the next service.
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