Overheating Problems...!!!! Can anyone please help??

axb · Post by **axb** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 11:43 pm

Hi Everyone, just joined so thanks for having me....
As the title says, I am having problems with overheating.
Quick story to give some background..I was driving along and the temp gauge went through the roof and steam started coming out of everywhere. I immediately stopped and got towed to my local garage, where they informed me that the core plug had corroded and thus coolant was coming out like running tap...had this problem fixed.
Now a few weeks after the work, the engine has started to overheat again...after a while the temp needle hits hot...although the temp then drops when I stop and then increases again when a drive on. Also, the temp gauge can go up and down etc...

So the question is, does anyone have any advice as to what the problem could be?

I have checked the oil for any residue to see if maybe I have a headgasket problem, but cannot see anything wrong.

I have run the engine with the radiator cap off to to get rid of any air locks..

Do I have a thermostat problem??

I am at a loss really, and was hoping someone may have experinced the same or if anyone can give some advice/help/recommendations??

Cheers

Andy

koolio1234 · Post by **koolio1234** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 12:38 am

Firstly, WTTC

From what you described, the overheating problem sound reminiscent of a blown head gasket.

You may need to get compression testing to see if there are any cracks in the heads.

Also, see if you can notice any water leakages around your radiator,water reservoir tank or if there are any loose hoses.

axb · Post by **axb** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 12:54 am

Thanks for the reply...
I have had a good look to see if anything is leaking etc...but cannot see anything..
Hopefully it isn't the head gasket, would be gutted. If it was the HG would I not see a white kind of residue in the oil/under the oil cap?
Could it be anything else?
Cheers

Storm · Post by **Storm** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 12:57 am

I would refill it, run it, refill it again, and keep doing it over and over. I found mine a bugger to get totally free of air locks and this is what your sounds like to me.

axb · Post by **axb** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 1:04 am

Storm, thanks...are you running the engine with the radiator cap off, filling it and then flushing the system...then filling again or just running the engine, radiator cap off topping up occasionally to replace that which has evaporated?
cheers

arkoso · Post by **arkoso** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 1:33 am

Blown head gasket mate, can say that almost certainly. A head gasket is cheap, your looking at about $30, but labour can cost upwards of $1000 due to a lot of machining that is required.

This happened to my old Mitsubishi Colt. It had done 750,000km ... lul.

So then suddenly FTO happened to me. Can't complain.

howc · Post by **howc** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 3:50 am

750,000 km

didnt know an engine can last that long.

FTEvolution · Post by **FTEvolution** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 7:51 am

Toyota Camry here had done over 1.2 mil before being wrecked (was a taxi)

Check your fans, when I got my car the fans run when the ignition was on but as soon as the car was started they would stop. That's a simple possibility.

But I agree, could be head gasket, is there sludge under the oil cap?

Post by **I8A4RE** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 7:55 am

Ok mate, first i would forget about all the head gasket talk at this stage.

Firstly i would top up with water and then check to see if the water is circulating (do this when after is at operating temp). Secondly i would pulling out the thermostat. (pretty easy to do) and testing that in some boiling water to make sure it is opening and closing.

However by the way you have described the situation its not looking good.

Post by **vipfto** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 8:32 am

i would do as I8A4RE said to begin with but as he said not looking good, failing any of the above get it pressure checked that will either ease your mind or confirm your fears

zuihoujueding · Post by **zuihoujueding** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 9:11 am

Start with the cheapest. Replace thermostat. and test for a few days.
Also check engine oil if its milky, then it might be a blown head gasket. But still, blown head gasket can surface in many ways.

axb · Post by **axb** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 8:32 pm

Thanks for all of the replys guys...I have ordered a new thermostat, will change anyway..
With regards to the oil...it looks ok...no sludge of milkyness.
Will arrange a pressure test to tell me either way. Really hoping it isn't the head gasket, so fingers crossed on that one.
Cheers

Storm · Post by **Storm** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 9:39 pm

axb wrote:Thanks for all of the replys guys...I have ordered a new thermostat, will change anyway..
With regards to the oil...it looks ok...no sludge of milkyness.
Will arrange a pressure test to tell me either way. Really hoping it isn't the head gasket, so fingers crossed on that one.
Cheers

Remember as well to fill it up at the filler neck beside the engine AND make sure the overflow is filled otherwise it expands into the overflow bottle and you can draw air back in when it cools. I know it sounds obvious but I've seen it forgotten about a few times

axb · Post by **axb** » Thu Apr 16, 2009 11:39 pm

Thanks for all of the replies, to let everyone know, I have drained the coolant and re-filled etc....and the overheating has stopped. I seems as though due to the core plug failure and subsequent repairs a considerable amount of air had worked its way into the system. Doesn't look as though I needed the new thermostat afterall. Touch wood everything will be ok from now on.
Once again thanks for all of the advice.. very much appreciated.