Total coolant loss and overheating - help please!

Shad · Post by **Shad** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 9:19 am

Hello, I wonder if anyone can help...

I broke down last night on my way home from work, been stuck in traffic on the Runcorn bridge for 20mins or so when I noticed that my temperature gauge was on max (but now warning light?) and I was only getting cold air through into the cab.

I pulled over once over the bridge and called the RAC. The RAC man found that I'd lost all my coolant, it looked like it had boiled over and shot out of the breather above the expansion vessel.

He refilled the system by filling the expansion bottle and the radiator and started it up, but after a few of minutes the aluminium hose from the bottom of the block still didn't get warm. There were no obvious leaks but it was chucking it down at the time. This led the RAC man to conclude that my thermostat is u/s with a possibility of my fan being u/s too.

Does this sound about right? My reservations come from the fact that it boiled over from the expansion bottle (is this possible with the thermostat shut?) and the info' I've read on this form re: trapped air in the system. Maybe trapped air is why that hose never got warm?

I'm at a loss, and gutted that I spent 5 hours in Runcorn! Cadging lifts to work too.

Any help gratefully appreciated please...

Shad

dandywarhol · Post by **dandywarhol** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 9:27 am

It can chuck it out of the expansion tank if the pressure is higher than the cap allows with the stat closed - the stat is on the return side to the engine. It's essential that you get the system pressure tested ASAP to identify if theres a leak.

There's no warning light to the best of my knowledge - even on the newer ones.

You can test the operation of the fans by turning on the air conditioning. That only tests the fan operation though - NOT the fan sender switch but it does confirm the fan and wiring operation.

Good luck

Harry · Post by **Harry** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 10:01 am

Hi Shad

I've managed to boil my engine 4 times without damaging the engine.

3 leakt hoses and a leaking water pump.

If you refill the engine you must bleed it properly through the bleed hose under the passenger seat.

The bottom pipe only gets warm (not hot) when the engine is fully warmed up.

I'm travelling down to the bongo meet at Buxton tomorrow and won't mind stopping off at Timperley or possibly coming over on Saturday or Sunday...I'm also sure that there may be other members attending the meet who might do the same.

PM me with your location/location of the van if you'd like some help.

cheers

H

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 1:47 pm

Cripes Shad - just logged in and read this. Fingers crossed all is OK. Don't think I'm nagging, but a low coolant alarm just moved to the top of your shopping list (plus maybe the Mason alarm or some other similar device). I'll be happy to help you install it

NeilT · Post by **NeilT** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 2:03 pm

Hi Shad, a little of topic, but Mike and myself are just 2 minutes down the road from you!! I am not a very good councillor for Timperley

Shad · Post by **Shad** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 4:23 pm

NeilT wrote:Hi Shad, a little of topic, but Mike and myself are just 2 minutes down the road from you!! I am not a very good councillor for Timperley

Folks,
Thanks for the advise,

Dandywarhol - I will see how I go about getting the pressure test, I'll also run the engine and have a good look for leaks. I like your suggestion of running the aircon to test the fan operation - Cheers,

Harry - I've sent you a PM. It would be good if you could pop by but I think I'm too far away from Buxton to warrant it. Having said that I certainly don't want to refuse a kind offer like that.

NeilT - Mike told me you were nearby - in fact I think we have daughters in the same class at school. Do you have coolant water experience?!

Mike - I think I shall have to postpone returning your oil vessel. This weekend I shall be mostly sticking my head under my bonnet.

Does anybody know where the thermostat is located at all? I've been advised to try running without it if it's the cause.

Cheers, Shad.

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 5:58 pm

Don't worry about the oil can - that can wait. Except that I may be on family duties, I'd be happy to drop by if it would help. I have done the thermostat and bled the coolant on Mango Bongo, both with success + have a workshop manual showing the approved method. PM me if interested and I'll look for a window of opportunity.

PS- if I do drop by, I can pick up the oil can of course!