Left Radiator Expansion Cap Off

[paulandyt]

I did something really stupid last week. I topped my radiator expansion tank up, and left the expansion tank cap on the side.

I drove 80 miles going between 50-65 and after coming to a hill I put my foot down to overtake a lorry. Shortly after overtaking I noticed steam coming from the bonet, looked at the temperature gauge and it was all the way right. I pulled over immediately, switched off my engine, but kept the ignition so the radiator fans were going. I opened the bonet to find the radiator cap on the side still but water everywhere. I keep 2 1 litre bottles of anti-freeze, so put those in the expansion tank immediately, then used water from my camping bottle to slowly pour water into the expansion tank. I let the engine cool down. I then proceeded to start the engine, which it did first time. I left it 5 minutes to check the temperature didn't rise, and it seemed okay.

I drove it the remaining 30 miles of my journey without any troubles and checked it again. I left the van a few hours a proceeded to fill up the expansion tank again, as it must have had a air block. I then started the van and kept filling the expansion tank up till the air had had completely gone from the system. 2 days later I then drove 150 miles and the expansion tank was still full when I arrived at my destination.

My question is, because the radiator cap was off, and the water was free to boil at 100 degrees rather than being under pressure, would the engine have got hot enough to boil the oil as well?

Could there be any other damage to the engine which I am not aware about, even though it is running perfectly fine now?

[stilldesperate]

Have you bled the coolant with the pipe under the passenger seat? (Details on factsheets in members area)

Your oil can take a lot of abuse, I would be more worried about the cylinder head, but from what you've described, it sounds as if you've got away with it!

[missfixit70]

Wouldn't worry too much about the oil, more about possible damage to the head. sounds like you may be ok , but I'd make sure it's bled properly as per the instructions in the members area factsheets.
Keep an eye on the levels & think seriously about getting a low coolant alarm, TM2 or Mason alarm fitted, would have told you long before the useless temp gauge moved or you noticed any steam.
Check thorugh the old threads on overheating etc - a plethora of info there to scare you

Damn too slow SD beat me to it

[stilldesperate]

[quote="missfixit70"]Wouldn't worry too much about the oil, more about possible damage to the head. sounds like you may be ok , but I'd make sure it's bled properly as per the instructions in the members area factsheets.
quote]

Wish I'd thought of that!

[dandywarhol]

Is there another problem which necessitated the tank to be topped up in the first place?

[stilldesperate]

Is there another problem which necessitated the tank to be topped up in the first place?

You're good, Dandy - real good! (In best Bobby De Niro voice)

[mikeonb4c]

Low coolant alarm would be the best to have fitted as you'd have got a warning before the level dropped below the min recommended in the header tank and thus have avoided an airlock (provided you had some spare water with you to top up with!). You now need to check there is no airlock in the system I reckon and - for the rest - fingers crossed the engine is OK.

So No.1 priority is to fit an LCA

[paulandyt]

Thanks all for your advice! Looks like I was lucky this time!

I am gonna get a coolant alarm fitted asap. Because I am a novice, i am going to take it to ADS in Bristol to look it over. Because I am topping the fluids up every couple of months (which I thought was normal for Bongos believe it or not), they believe it could be either the pump leaking or one of the pipes running along the engine which is corroding.

Cheers!

[scanner]

(provided you had some spare water with you to top up with!).

Some spare WHAT?

Your spelling Mike the stuff you need to top up with is coolant.

[Ron Miel]

Thanks all for your advice! Looks like I was lucky this time!

I am gonna get a coolant alarm fitted asap. Because I am a novice, i am going to take it to ADS in Bristol to look it over. Because I am topping the fluids up every couple of months (which I thought was normal for Bongos believe it or not), they believe it could be either the pump leaking or one of the pipes running along the engine which is corroding.

Cheers!

Dandywarhol IS good, but I thought for a moment you hadn't taken him seriously. Glad you are in fact on the ball There's always a reason. Since I fixed what had been a slow hose leak in mine (but I did have a low coolant alarm, and when it eventually failed big time, it saved me), several months back, ours has not lost a molecule of coolant - well maybe just a molecule but I'm darned if I can see it by looking at the expansion tank level

[mikeonb4c]

(provided you had some spare water with you to top up with!).

Some spare WHAT?

Your spelling Mike the stuff you need to top up with is coolant.

I knew someone would jump in with that, and it had to be you

The reason I said it was to relax the guy. You may not have 50/50 coolant mix with you but for the very small amount of dilution that would occur it would suffice just to have some water with you. But obviously, regular topping up should be with 50/50 coolant mix

[stilldesperate]

Dandywarhol IS good, but I thought for a moment you hadn't taken him seriously. Glad you are in fact on the ball There's always a reason.

No, I was being serious, I was distracted by the possible engine damage, and didn't think to question why the coolant needed topping up in the first place

It's a very good point, that there's always a reason!

SD

[paulandyt]

Thanks guys! Really appreciate the feedback!

I'll let ya know how it gets on!

P

[Ron Miel]

Dandywarhol IS good, but I thought for a moment you hadn't taken him seriously. Glad you are in fact on the ball There's always a reason.

No, I was being serious, I was distracted by the possible engine damage, and didn't think to question why the coolant needed topping up in the first place

It's a very good point, that there's always a reason!

SD

And I was so distracted by it, I had got my wires well and truly crossed Confused you with the guy who actually had the direct problem, not spotting that you were just commenting. That probably crosses even more wires Time for a lie down. Just coming nurse

[haydn callow]

ADS in Bristol keep some Low Coolant Alarms in stock....first class garage,