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TBM85
Starting in the driveway
4 Posts
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 Posted - 30 Jan 2007 : 3:41:06 PM
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Hey guys and gals, thought this would be a good place to get some help regarding my VN.
Bare with me, as I'm not the most knowledable when it comes to mechanics. I know a bit, but not as much as it seems many people do around here.
Anyway, my car has been heating up a bit lately to the point where it goes past the highest point on the temperature gauge. It often drops back down to about half or even lower, but it will soon get hot again. My coolant level is full, so I started to consider whether it was a gauge problem, as I know other VN owners who have gauge problems. However, today I noticed that the radiator tank is empty, which is obviously not good. So whilst the tank on the right hand side is full, the one of the left is empty. I don't know if there is problems with coolant flow, or something with the thermostat.
Basically, I need some advise on ideas of what could be the problem and how I can go about fixing it. I do plan on getting it serviced soon, but any advice would be highly appreciated.
Cheers.
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YLD50L
P Plater
28 Posts
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Posted - 30 Jan 2007 : 4:07:11 PM
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hey dude
so you are saying that the reservoir (opaque white thingy near the battery) is empty while the radiator itself is full... do you use water or proper radiator coolant. it has been bloody hot lately and coolant has a lower boiling point then water... i am pretty sure the thermostat when stuffed is either one or the other not fluctuating in temp.. but i could be wrong.. |
Who would have though petrol would cost so dam much |
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TBM85
Starting in the driveway
4 Posts
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Posted - 30 Jan 2007 : 6:23:10 PM
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| Yeah, the reservoir (near battery) is empty whilst the tank on the other side (where you put the coolant) is full. That's what confused me, there's plenty of coolant, but there seems to be some problems with it flowing properly. |
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Joogie
Fully Licenced
291 Posts
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Posted - 31 Jan 2007 : 01:07:16 AM
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Have you ever emptied it and flushed and refilled it? Might solve your problem.
Also maybe some air goin around in it? If its a series 2 there is a little screw above the radiator hose where it conects to the engine, unsrew that a little, take off your radiator cap and shove a hose into it, seal with your hand as best you can and turn the hose on, when a solid squirt of water comes out screw the screw back in. Note that since you have put a bit of water through syphin some out and put some more coolant in to rebalance the mix. |
Boost me, and double clutch me so i can get my. Loss of Traction! |
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mouce
National Driver
1525 Posts
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Posted - 31 Jan 2007 : 11:59:06 AM
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Since you've got a S2 on your hands the tank on the right hand side of the engine bay is just an 'overflow' bottle, and really does two thirds of nothing.
It's fairly obvious that there's a good leak happening somewhere, the only trick is to find it.
First step is to check the condition of your engine oil. Pull out the dipstick and have a look, if it's at all milky or creamy, I've got bad news for you...you need a new head gasket. Do the same check on the underside of the oil filler cap.
Next, have a look at the front of the engine...the big pulley on the top middle of the engine is the water pump, can you see any water stains around it? If so...guess what needs replacing.
Do the same thing with each of the coolant hoses, have a look at where they join to the pipes/radiator and if you can see any fresh water stains around it, I'd suggest that you should do a full hose change.
Next comes the radiator, have a look for any wet patches on the outside of the radiator. If you can find one, replace the radiator.
Finally, check your heater tap. It's on the drivers side of the engine bay, it's got about four hoses going into it, it sits below the coolant tank on the drivers side. These are stupidly fragile and do split from time to time, which empties the contents of the cooling system, bit of a problem that.
If despite all of that you can't find the leak, it's time to get a pressure test done on the system, because (and this is what's going to sh!t you to tears), the leak might be so small that when it's under pressure it's spraying such a fine mist that it does not leave any marks, and when it's cooled down, it doesn't have the pressure to cause it to leak. Any radiator workshop can do the test, and they'll also be able to fix up whatever is leaking too (if you're not comfortable doing it yourself).
Since you suspect that there's a problem with it flowing through the system, a full drain and flush would be a good start. But it could also be the water pump that's died. Really the only way to know is to start pulling it apart. |
Bite off more than you can chew, and chew like hell - Peter Brock (1945-2006) |
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TBM85
Starting in the driveway
4 Posts
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Posted - 31 Jan 2007 : 3:24:02 PM
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| Thanks for your help guys, I'll have a look now and see what I can find. |
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shags
Starting in the driveway
4 Posts
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Posted - 18 Feb 2007 : 8:42:24 PM
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| i had my coils replaced by some holden mechanics a long time ago and they "forgot" to put the earth cord from the coil to the body back on, it blew the efi relax n the car would even start, then after they replaced that, the car ran so i got it back, but my indorcaters and radio werent working, and the car was overheating like a building on fire. dont know if it would empty a radiator or anything, didnt let it go that far though. |
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TBM85
Starting in the driveway
4 Posts
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Posted - 18 Feb 2007 : 10:21:39 PM
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Got my car serviced, and the water pump was the problem. Had to get it replaced which was a bugger, but it could have been worse I guess.  |
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trizo
Forum Moderator
3091 Posts
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Posted - 19 Feb 2007 : 11:30:58 AM
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thermostat jammed shut ... or leaky welch plug??? or even your water jackets may b jammmed shut with sludge and sh1t?  |
3 can keep a secret if 2 are dead |
Edited by - trizo on 19 Feb 2007 11:33:23 AM |
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killer_777
Starting in the driveway
3 Posts
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Posted - 22 Feb 2007 : 11:36:44 AM
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| it sounds like ur thermostat is stuffed have u try replacing that and see how ya go |
Edited by - killer_777 on 22 Feb 2007 11:38:14 AM |
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