Strange overheating issue (2015 Vanquish)
Discussion
Went out for a run this morning, stopped at agreed meeting point, fans came on + High engine temp warning light. Limped in to service area, checked coolant levels , levels good, no sign of coolant loss. Ign off, fans kept running. Called recovery truck. ! hr later, still same warning light and gauge off the scale. Engine didnt feel too hot and showed no signs of actual overheating.
Arrived home and unloaded car, temp gauge now normal. Took car for a good drive, nothing abnormal noted, all seems fine now. Fans not cutting in now.
Not sure what to do as we are due to be having a weekend away next week? (Car is still under warranty)
Any suggestions?
Cheers
GG33
Arrived home and unloaded car, temp gauge now normal. Took car for a good drive, nothing abnormal noted, all seems fine now. Fans not cutting in now.
Not sure what to do as we are due to be having a weekend away next week? (Car is still under warranty)
Any suggestions?
Cheers
GG33
If its under warranty, get it into a dealer straight away. If they diagnose no issue, then you at least have it in writing that you had it checked if it blows a headgasket or worse. Dont take it in and they might blame you for continuing to drive it when you knew there was an issue.
You really dont want to be shelling out for a new V12 lump with a car still under warranty.
You really dont want to be shelling out for a new V12 lump with a car still under warranty.
Oil clean and level ok?
Has it been serviced recently or had coolant change, airlock?
If no recent coolant change, heater works okay, coolant level correct and oil correct I'd be thinking 'sensor', however, internet diagnostics are notoriously unreliable so I'd be tempted to have it checked out for peace of mind and to minimise any warranty difficulties should it become temperamental again.
Has it been serviced recently or had coolant change, airlock?
If no recent coolant change, heater works okay, coolant level correct and oil correct I'd be thinking 'sensor', however, internet diagnostics are notoriously unreliable so I'd be tempted to have it checked out for peace of mind and to minimise any warranty difficulties should it become temperamental again.
Imo, two things point to a sensor or sensor wire problem:
-You say you checked the coolant level. I assumed you removed the filler cap to do so. If the engine really was overheating, I would expect the removal of the cap to create a fountain of boiling water.
-The temp gauge was still off scale after one hour. Is that not sufficient time for the engine to cool to normal temperature?
-You say you checked the coolant level. I assumed you removed the filler cap to do so. If the engine really was overheating, I would expect the removal of the cap to create a fountain of boiling water.
-The temp gauge was still off scale after one hour. Is that not sufficient time for the engine to cool to normal temperature?
Combination of mechanically everything seeming ok, and the gauge reporting still being the same an hour later suggests an electrical problem to me.
However, as above, you want to give this to the supplying dealer to have the opportunity to fix as, even if they don't, you're on much better ground if you do have what could (not the same as likely) turn out to be a big failure.
However, as above, you want to give this to the supplying dealer to have the opportunity to fix as, even if they don't, you're on much better ground if you do have what could (not the same as likely) turn out to be a big failure.
I had a 2005 Vanquish and noticed that the 'heat chimneys' (those being the chromed tunnels in the engine that run to the vents on top of the bonnet) were forever slipping off.
That's just a wild stab at the issue, but maybe worth checking, although I am not sure if the 2015 Vanquish has the same heat dispersal method.
That's just a wild stab at the issue, but maybe worth checking, although I am not sure if the 2015 Vanquish has the same heat dispersal method.
Called the Main dealer this morning. They have never heard of a Vanquish overheating. Turns out we are all convinced it didn't actually overheat but was an electrical gremlin. They assure me that they can only diagnose the problem if/when it reappears (no code will be stored). I stated clearly that I had alerted them to the issue in case anything more serious came up whilst we are away in it this weekend. They assured me that was fine....
Just out of curiosity, I looked for a replacement sensor, only to discover that they cost £183 including Aston Martin tax, whereas a similar sensor for any normal vehicle can be purchased for about £11.99. :-O I'm sure it must be common to some other engine?
GG33 said:
Just out of curiosity, I looked for a replacement sensor, only to discover that they cost £183 including Aston Martin tax, whereas a similar sensor for any normal vehicle can be purchased for about £11.99. :-O I'm sure it must be common to some other engine?
Just checked Scuderia - common part across all Gaydon era cars and DB7. https://www.scuderiacarparts.com/part/178900/aston...A quick Google and pick from a whole host of manufacturers...
https://www.onlinecarparts.co.uk/spare-parts/aston...
I'd be tempted to pull the current one, see if there's a maker's mark and swap it out for the same manufacturer.
Do let us know of course ! the tax on that is almost criminal...
Edited by JonnyCJ on Monday 6th July 13:43
GG33 said:
Called the Main dealer this morning. They have never heard of a Vanquish overheating. Turns out we are all convinced it didn't actually overheat but was an electrical gremlin. They assure me that they can only diagnose the problem if/when it reappears (no code will be stored). I stated clearly that I had alerted them to the issue in case anything more serious came up whilst we are away in it this weekend. They assured me that was fine....
As said above, if the fans run then the engine ECU is being told the engine temperature is at least 95c. If the car was overheating which I assume you saw on the gauge, then the signal was faulty and points to a bad coolant sensor or a wiring problem. For a main dealer to say there wont be a fault code stored is utter nonsense. How on earth can they say that? Did you speak to someone on the service reception desk who in all probability has no technical experience? There may or not be a stored or pending fault code but the only way is to put it on diagnostic equipment. They should also test the sensor from cold and check the temps against a heat gun. The sensor reading in live data includes the temp readout and also the signal voltage.
And then to want £183 for a sensor is just taking the wee-wee.
Very similar issue. Took my 2015 Vanquish for a short drive and pulled into my driveway to all of a sudden notice my temp gage at full high, red warning light, temperature message and the high fans running. The first thing that came to mind was wow...how did I overheat this and how much is this going to cost. About an hour later, I turned the gages on and temp was still high, no change. Engine felt warm but not hot. I safely opened the coolant reservoir and the coolant was warm and full. No fluids anywhere. I started to suspect something was faulty. Called the dealer (mine is not under warranty) and asked if they’ve ever had a faulty sensor in a vanquish. They actually said they did in a 2015 vanquish a few months ago. This morning the car is cold and I turned the gages on an the high temp was still on and fans activated. It’s obvious it’s a sensor or something electrical. Dropping it to dealer on Monday for diagnostic and repair. The good thing is it didn’t overheat.
When I googled the issue, I found this forum and it was comforting to read a similar situation, although mine has not reset itself. Bill
When I googled the issue, I found this forum and it was comforting to read a similar situation, although mine has not reset itself. Bill
Thanks for your post and its good to know for the future should I experience something similar as I have a my 15 like you.
Water temp gauge is rock solid at half way even on a 35c day. They are a marvelous piece of engineering and I drive mine up a twisty mountain each weekend for coffee and adrenaline.
I hope its as simple as an electrical gremlin which based on your post that it was still showing hot after sitting for an hour sounds like the diagnosis is correct, particularly if as has been said there was no fountain of hot water when you removed the reservoir cap.
Best wishes.
Water temp gauge is rock solid at half way even on a 35c day. They are a marvelous piece of engineering and I drive mine up a twisty mountain each weekend for coffee and adrenaline.
I hope its as simple as an electrical gremlin which based on your post that it was still showing hot after sitting for an hour sounds like the diagnosis is correct, particularly if as has been said there was no fountain of hot water when you removed the reservoir cap.
Best wishes.
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