Driving on the freeway normally as I do, out of nowhere temperature gauge went more then halfway, so I slowed down ready to stop and then out of nowhere went back down to the safe zone.. Did this a couple of times, so I got home.. Checked the radiator coolant, bursted out with steam and *poo* load of coolant, dont know if it normal or not.. Refilled the coolant and yea.. So I recently changed the radiator due to a minor accident, couldn't be that.. Any chance of a thermostat problem?? Or anything else in mind.. All help will be appreciated, thanks guys..
Weird Problem....
- Thread starter LNCR8D
- Start date
so many mehcanical problems coming through lately, best to ask a mech then on here as no one can see your car.
My car has done this before a couple of years ago, but never again and i didn't change anything.
As for the coolant overflowing, it does that cause its hot and builds up pressure hense steam and flowing out. Thats why it say do not open when hot!
Your water pump may of just add a hissy fit
My car has done this before a couple of years ago, but never again and i didn't change anything.
As for the coolant overflowing, it does that cause its hot and builds up pressure hense steam and flowing out. Thats why it say do not open when hot!
Your water pump may of just add a hissy fit
After driving the pressure and the heat builds up so you should wait unntil it cools down before opening.
Before you take off the radiator cap you should squeeze the radiator hoses, if they can be squeezed easily theres is no pressure, and is safe to open the cap.
So to answer your question yes its normal for it to burst out if you open it after recently driving.
Before you take off the radiator cap you should squeeze the radiator hoses, if they can be squeezed easily theres is no pressure, and is safe to open the cap.
So to answer your question yes its normal for it to burst out if you open it after recently driving.
If your driving your car and its hot, opening the radiator is not a good idea, it will always spurt out etc.
but your thermostat could be sticking??? pull it out and drop it a sauce pan with water and boil it, should open around 85* i think.
but your thermostat could be sticking??? pull it out and drop it a sauce pan with water and boil it, should open around 85* i think.
tryg
New Member
I agree with Tron, but check first to see if your water pump is moving the fluid.. You can check this at cold, by taking off the radiator cap and shining a torch down into the radiator. Look for moving fluid when it finally gets to temperature. Back to Tron's idea... take out your thermostat, hang in a pot and test for opening at correct temperature (check also for ease of movement in this process). If it is questionable, purchase a new one.
If you only recently changed the radiator to a new one, then this is not likely to be the cause.. if it was another second-hand unit, you may need it to be rodded, as it may be blocked (but that does not explain the drop back to normal temp, so probably not the cause..)
Hope that assists.
P.S. Don't take your radiator cap off when it's hot and under pressure.. listen to all above!
If you only recently changed the radiator to a new one, then this is not likely to be the cause.. if it was another second-hand unit, you may need it to be rodded, as it may be blocked (but that does not explain the drop back to normal temp, so probably not the cause..)
Hope that assists.
P.S. Don't take your radiator cap off when it's hot and under pressure.. listen to all above!
tryg said:
If i remember correctly to when i tested mine, if your radiator is full and your engine is closed (ie Thermostat is closed) when you start your car, the water pump will fill the radiator with watever water is left in the system, and the water will rise and overflow. So if it does this its probably a good thing (for a diagnostics POV)
Hopefully it's only a thermostat drama. Was the radiator cap still on and holding the pressure? Sounds scarily similar to when we did a head gasket a couple of years ago - I hope that's not the case for you. Get a mechanic to check it out, it's not something you want to go trying to fix yourself without the right knowledge
matty
Active Member
Check the cap see if the rubbers good, should be a bit soft. Easy way to check if the thermostat works start with the car dead cold, make sure the radiator contains coolant of course also check the resevoir. Turn heater on full don't have to have the air on, it's just to have the heater core open. turn the car on and let it heat up, one hose should heat up and one should be cold until the thermostat opens. Once open both hoses will get hot and the radiator fan should kick in soon after. If it works that way then thermostat should be working fine. Having the heater core open will allow the cooling system to bleed properly also.
:thumbup:LNCR8D said:
Do the easy diagnostics first, that way you can give your mech a headstart. Makes it easier on him, and may save him time, and you money.
I hate it when my bro asks me whats wrong with his car. I ask what did it do before it stopped working?
His response. "I dunno" :x