Car Overheated

[Digital_Import]

Today my car overheated to the point steam was coming out. I had to cool the car down straight away, undid the cap and let all the pressure vent out. Its never gone that hot before, i noticed though that the temp gauge would read over half way while standing still in traffic but other than that it was always fine but today it hit the mark and was not long till it went over it and wouldnt go down, it was over the mark for 5mins or less and im hoping it's done no damage. The engine still starts, i checked that there was coolant in the car, there are no leaks and all hoses appear fine, the fans also turn onand appear fine. Only thing i can think of is maybe a pump has just died on me and was not pumping the coolant around?
In any case im taking it to the mechanic first thing tomorrow but for peace of mind if anyone could give some idea of what may of gone wrong and if it is possible there is any serious damage to my engine?
I wouldnt want to know what would happen on a hot summer day.
Btw: Mivec GPX tiptronic and all stock

[SG]

Might be the switch that turns the radiator fans on while your in traffic (when the temp goes up) failed?, we used to have a car that the switch or wiring to the switch failed on and the car was fine all day until all of a sudden we came to traffic and after we went to drive away it was down on power and overheating into the red. then after pulling over and letting it cool down for a while, we started the car back up, the fans worked and it didnt overheat again... for the rest of the day onwards, but i think we got it checked out at the next service to b sure and the prob never came up again.

so.. maybe an electrical problem

[Digital_Import]

electrical problems sure are not uncommon with FTO's as i have learnt. If this is linked to the cooling problem i dont know but i would of never guessed, i get my head deck in the car turning on/off sometimes while im driving, but it doesnt happen that often, usually in only first 10minutes of driving.
i went and did a few checks on the car just before, removed the cap where u fill up the coolant to check if there are any little bubbles appearing while the car is running, bubbles as ive been told means the O-rings have been cooked and coolant is leaking internally and being burned off. Checked for any white smoke from exhaust and seems fine, just the vapour. Also if the exhaust is sweet smelling, but i cant really tell, it smells but whether its sweet or not i dont know.

[Bennoz]

Could be a number of things, pump may have died, thermostat may have seized up, as mentioned the thermostat that governs the fans may be on the fritz. Mechanic should be able to diagnose pretty quick with a couple of tests

[Digital_Import]

thanx guys, im still little worried about engine damage though. Ive heard stories of cars going long distances while overheated yet this doesnt reassure me, 5 mins is way too long for me already. So far no signs of damage and the engine still turning over is a postive but im no expert.
Anyone experienced it before? lol i dont think ill be able to sleep tonite knowing my baby could be damaged =(
is there maybe some sort of pressure test i can do to find internal leaks and how much would something like that cost?

[bigpitty1]

I would say it might be the thermostat like what Bennoz said, when the engine in cold the thermostat is closed so coolant will only circulate around the engine, so it will get to running temp quickly, once the engine has got to operating temp, the thermostat will open allowing the coolant to flow in to the radiator to be cooled.

Its pretty common, the best way to check the thermostat is to put it in water and boil it, and see if it opens at its specified themp which is mostly printed on the thermostat itself.

[mxysxy]

Today my car overheated to the point steam was coming out. I had to cool the car down straight away, undid the cap and let all the pressure vent out.

You should never do this.
It can be very very dangerous or even fatal.
There is so much pressure built in hot water in radiator, when the cap opened all the boiling hot water sprays out and burns every single bit of flesh instantly.
You are very lucky that radiator was empty, otherwise, I am afraid you might have end up in the hospital.

[Breza]

Is there any water in the passenger side footwell? is the carpet wet? windows fogging up?

Could be that a broken heater core has emptied your cooling system.

Has been a bit chilly lately.................especially in Hobart.

Cheers

Chris

[Breza]

Anyone experienced it before? lol i dont think ill be able to sleep tonite knowing my baby could be damaged =(

BTW I would be very surprised if there is any damage if you stopped the car immediately.

Mine overheated a couple of times when the heater core went........that was 2 years ago and everything is still running fine.

[Digital_Import]

Today my car overheated to the point steam was coming out. I had to cool the car down straight away, undid the cap and let all the pressure vent out.

You should never do this.
It can be very very dangerous or even fatal.
There is so much pressure built in hot water in radiator, when the cap opened all the boiling hot water sprays out and burns every single bit of flesh instantly.
You are very lucky that radiator was empty, otherwise, I am afraid you might have end up in the hospital.

i popped hood, waited a little bit, lifted the hood, waited a little, got my jumper opened the cap half twist not to open it fully, let it vent out then when it eased up opened it and was no bubling. Had it happen heaps to me mates commodore and it become kinda routine.