Engine over heating - has my engine gone?!

[haydn callow]

If the coolant was erupting from the tank the coolant alarm may well NOT have gone off.....it certainly would when it cooled down.......
Sounds as though combustion gases are getting into the cooling system........

[mikeWalsall]

I am glad I have a low coolant alarm .. but I can see that as limitations if coolant is present as in 'sloshing around' or 'bubbling up' .. this is what happened to me recently ..

except to top up the washer bottle .. I rarely need to look under the bonnet .. but today swinging round the island in my Cul de sac, the coolant alarm chirped for a split second .. strange I thought .. so pulled back onto my drive to check.

Instantly noticed that the coolant bottle cap missing .. even after a though search .. completely disappeared .. the coolant level was still OK and on thinking .. the temp. gauge had never budged from 'normal' .. and the heater was working as normal .. no sign of coolant being blown around or any stains .................................................

[monein64]

Regarding the coolant alarm - it only started to sound half a mile from home and as on single country lanes had no option to stop.

[rita]

If the coolant was erupting from the tank the coolant alarm may well NOT have gone off.....it certainly would when it cooled down.......
Sounds as though combustion gases are getting into the cooling system........

Looks like there is a gap in the market for a Coolant Loss Alarm.

[haydn callow]

If a coolant alarms ever alarms...stop at once....even a couple of minutes longer can be enough to overheat......it may inconvience other road users but if you had a blown out tyre you would have to stop......when we supply these alarms to mines we incorporate a engine cutout so they have to stop....no good on a road car for obvious reasons.......

[haydn callow]

We used to supply a high coolant alarm which would alarm if coolant erupts....However only half a dozen were sold in 3 years......but really not much point in them cos 9 times out of ten the head has already blown to cause the coolant to erupt..

Low coolant alarms do exactly what they say......warn you if the coolant level in the header tank drops below the sensor screw...nothing more or less.

However they can often give early warning to battery./ electrical problems as they are voltage sensitive.

[haydn callow]

Regarding the coolant alarm - it only started to sound half a mile from home and as on single country lanes had no option to stop.

At that point was the gauge on Hot?? If not stopping when the alarm sounded may have prevented/limited the damage......It is after all a ALARM.......82db siren and a very bright RED led.

[haydn callow]

If the coolant was erupting from the tank the coolant alarm may well NOT have gone off.....it certainly would when it cooled down.......
Sounds as though combustion gases are getting into the cooling system........

Looks like there is a gap in the market for a Coolant Loss Alarm.

Sounds from his post it did in fact go off and then drove another half mile.......must have passed a few pullin's/farmgates on a narrow country road

[monein64]

Come to think about it no it didn't go off but the guage started to creep past half way a mile from home, - Yes I appreciate I should have stopped and had a look, but in that half a mile was intending to look at it when home, went into the red as I come to our house.

as I collected her from the garage the alarm sounded as normal, engine sounded strange at first fire up when I started but then made its normal noise after a couple of seconds.

Thermostat replaced 6 months ago - no reason just wanted to replace at same time as fitting the alarm.

Hindsight is a great thing but what is done is done.

[mikeonb4c]

Like Mike, I (sadly) have a feeling this engine might have been sickening to quit. Can't be certain of course but is there any sign of rust in the system?

[monein64]

Thanks for your inputs,

Based on your knowledge, what will be the life of a (good) reconditioned / replacement Head
- Is it worth doing or does it come with further problems and short life span after investing the money?
- I read mixed reviews

[haydn callow]

Get your bongo into one of the recommended garages (very important ) and have it fixed properly....then with a bit of looking after and understanding it will be fine for many years.....take it any other garage at your peril

[monein64]

Hi - Thanks for all your input.

The Head had cracked, on removing it appears that the head had previously been replaced.

Now working out the financial options to determine what to do.

Thanks again

[jimpearceuk]

Everyone should have a coolant alarm and a temperature sensor, both available from Haydn. Only last week I saved my engine, M4 wizzing along, pipe burst I know when the coolant alarm sounded, pulled over immediately - Green Flag, set of hoses thanks Haydn another engine saved, a minor inconvenience in comparison.

Sorry about your trubs with the garage, total bumma - at least lets hope people see how badly it can go wrong and use it to buy the sensors.

Get 321Away to quote you - they know them inside out and although you would have recovery costs to Wokingham, Berkshire you could rely on a proper job, will your recovery take you there? Green Flag will do that.

I live near 321 so if you do need help, even a lift from a local station let me know.

Do your homework before spending the cash.

JIm