Engine Overheating

[Useless Mark]

Dont like rolls said:

At the front of the car.

Have you thought about reading the manual ?

Well it isn't. It is on my other car and on my old car but in this car it's at the bottom and can only be accessed from underneath.

But thanks for your help and advice.

[Useless Mark]

AW111 said:

The radiator is at the front of the engine bay, but I've been looking at images, and can't see a separate radiator filler/cap.

Thanks. I've eventually found out it doesn't have a separate cap, which was annoying.

[Useless Mark]

VanDiesel99 said:

Sounds like Head Gasket to me, too.

I know that symptoms of HG Failure can include Mayo on the Filler and Steam from the Exhaust, specially in severe cases; but I've had plenty of HG Failures and never had either symptom.

Try running the vehicle with the Coolant Filler cap removed. This will allow any pressure caused by a weeping HG to escape. You probably won't lose much / any coolant via the open Filler and you'll likely find that the Heater works again and it loses a lot less coolant than it was.

If any water loss from the open filler goes near major Electrical components, (I suspect it won't) take 'bodge' steps to keep the water away from them. Its unlikely its gonna 'pour' out of there at a rate of knots, but you'll likely lose a bit.

Assuming the system does behave in this way, this should make you even more convinced its HG.

Also, give serious thought whether to
a) repair it
b) sell it as 'Spares or Repair'
c) scrap it - value should be at least £150
d) sell it to someone like Charles Trent Salvage who I understand take on cars with 'issues', albeit possibly its a bit old for this

Also don't forget that Garage bills can 'spiral' far above the initial quote, and usually did in my experience. Neither mine or my family's cars have had any Garage mechanic lay a spanner on them, in the past 10 years+; they only visit for MOT Testing, I do the repairs.

If it were mine, I'd probably top it up with water daily, then put it on eBay as Spares or Repair at £150 start when I couldn't be bothered with it any more, or if it overheats despite being topped up that same day. If it doesn't sell, scrap it.

Check the cost of cars of the same make & model on eBay or Auto Trader to establish what its worth, I'm not sure but would guess approx £1,500

Don't forget to put some Antifreeze in it,from time to time, specially if the weather gets cold and if you plan to repair it rather than scrap it. Straight water in an engine isn't good for it.

With luck it could have 6 months or more in it yet.... but if an MOT approaches there's a strong chance it won't pass the exhaust emissions if the HG's gone. £40 on an early MOT can be a wise investment, as it could '100% Confirm' the HG and also indicate if the vehicle has 'other issues' besides.

Thank you

I've just filled up the coolant reservoir and will run it without the cap on to see what happens.

I'm hoping I can just manage to get it to a garage and see what they say/do.

Thanks for taking the time to reply, much appreciated.

[RSTurboPaul]

Useless Mark said:

AW111 said:

The radiator is at the front of the engine bay, but I've been looking at images, and can't see a separate radiator filler/cap.

Thanks. I've eventually found out it doesn't have a separate cap, which was annoying.

That is weird.

Can you upload a picture of the engine bay?

[Useless Mark]

[Useless Mark]

[RSTurboPaul]

If you undo the screws and remove that plastic cover at the front of the engine bay, the radiator filler cap might be under there?


It might, of course, also not have a radiator filler cap, but I don't think I've ever heard of that before. (I am not an expert or an experienced mechanic, of course.)

[Useless Mark]

So bottom picture first....far left is coolant reservoir. Next is screen washer fluid, then oil and then oil dip stick

The far right with a Black cap is brake fluid

[Useless Mark]

RSTurboPaul said:

If you undo the screws and remove that plastic cover at the front of the engine bay, the radiator filler cap might be under there?


It might, of course, also not have a radiator filler cap, but I don't think I've ever heard of that before. (I am not an expert or an experienced mechanic, of course.)

Thanks. I'll try that.

[Useless Mark]

[Useless Mark]

The resevoir you see in the last picture was filled with coolant and water and was full. I've driven about 3 miles and it's half full/empty.

Does that mean that the radiator/cooling system has just taken what it needed or does it look like I've got a leak.

There is no sign of any liquid anywhere.

[LimSlip]

Useless Mark said:

The resevoir you see in the last picture was filled with coolant and water and was full. I've driven about 3 miles and it's half full/empty.
.

Do you mean full as in all the way up to the cap, or just full to the max line which is about half way up the reservoir? It should never be full to the top, coolant expands as it gets hot so there needs to be an air space. Filling to the top will cause coolant to be pushed out as the engine warms up.

[Useless Mark]

LimSlip said:

Do you mean full as in all the way up to the cap, or just full to the max line which is about half way up the reservoir? It should never be full to the top, coolant expands as it gets hot so there needs to be an air space. Filling to the top will cause coolant to be pushed out as the engine warms up.

Sorry, filled to the max limit. Perhaps a little over. It looks like it's dropped down to about 2 thirds full now.

[Useless Mark]

I filled the coolant resevoir with a mix of coolant and water (30/70l) I've done just about an 8 mile round trip to the nearest filling station and the temp was fine and I've got heat coming through the cockpit fans, which I didn't have yesterday.

I'm going to run the engine whilst stationary for a bit and see what happens. Whether or not that's worthwhile I don't know.

My nearest garage is about 15 miles away. Hopefully I can get it there tomorrow and have someone that knows what they're doing look at it.

As previously mentioned, there isn't any smoke coming from the exhaust, no dodgy steam anywhere and the oil cap and dip stick are clear of any mayo type gunk. I can't see any evidence of leaking anywhere within the engine area or on the driveway.

I'm hoping that there just wasn't enough coolant or water in the cooling system.

I've not had the car long. It was serviced about 5000 miles ago. (Before i owned it) I've had it about three to four months but in that time it's been sat on he driveway for about six or seven weeks. I didn't notice the coolant level was low in the reservoir.

I've only got it because it's the cheapest car I can fit three child seats in the back.

I can't take the plastic cover off the front as it's secured with those torx screws and my tool box with those attachments in it isn't with me.

Once again thank you to everyone that took the time to help out and offer some very useful advice.

[GreenV8S]

Useless Mark said:

This sounds really thick, but where is the radiator?

Modern cars usually use a separate header tank rather than a cap on the radiator. Where the other person referred to checking the rad cap, they meant check the coolant level via the pressure cap on the header tank.

[rjg48]

GreenV8S said:

Useless Mark said:

This sounds really thick, but where is the radiator?

Modern cars usually use a separate header tank rather than a cap on the radiator. Where the other person referred to checking the rad cap, they meant check the coolant level via the pressure cap on the header tank.

No cap on the radiator of my 20 year old SAAB.

[RSTurboPaul]

GreenV8S said:

Useless Mark said:

This sounds really thick, but where is the radiator?

Modern cars usually use a separate header tank rather than a cap on the radiator. Where the other person referred to checking the rad cap, they meant check the coolant level via the pressure cap on the header tank.

I did mean check the rad cap lol, but I was not aware modern stuff didn't have them and that the header tank instead has a pressure cap.

One new thing I've learnt today!

I've had the situation where the (no pressure cap) header tank was full but the rad was half empty. Perhaps the more modern setup as described above removes risk of that happening.

[Useless Mark]

On this car it looks as though there isn't a rad cap and accessing the radiator is a nightmare for me, as it's accessed from underneath.

The Renault manual is unhelpful and only tells you how to top up the coolant reservoir. Anything else it advises you to go to the dealership.

There are a couple of videos online, but unless I was going to flush the system there isn't much point me removing the rad guard because I can't top it up anyway.

All my other cars always had a separate rad cap and it was dead easy to top up with water if there was an issue.

I can just about manage to top up the oil and other reservoirs, pump up the tyres but that's the extent of my knowledge and expertise.

I don't even know what a pressure cap is!

I've put about 5 litres in today and the fact there isn't any signs of leaking or overflowing suggests to my rank amateur mind that the system must have been empty. I've learned that the capacity is 5.3ltrs.

If that is the case, I'm hoping it's problem solved but i did put 2 litres on last week and it was fine for 6 days and overheated yesterday, so rather than risk it again I'll pop it to a garage tomorrow.

If i don't have use of this car, I can't have all my kids in the car which is a bit of a nuisance to say the least.

Thanks

[Dont like rolls]

This is a wind up......

[Useless Mark]

Dont like rolls said:

This is a wind up......

What makes you say that?

So far your contribution has been a bit weak and advice flawed.