No coolant pressure

1. Lewis Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Oct 2009 Middlesbrough/Coventry Posts: 3808 Megane 225

   #1 2nd August 2010, 18:51

   Ok this isnt a saxo but the problem i think is gerneric. There is no pressure in my coolant system. Could it be a new water pump or is there anything else i could check?
   
   The car is a 1995 Civic
   
   Many thanks
   Lewis
2. Lewis Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Oct 2009 Middlesbrough/Coventry Posts: 3808 Megane 225

   #2 3rd August 2010, 14:33

   bump anyone??
3. CbVtR Regular Poster Joined: Apr 2009 Hemel Hempstead Posts: 437 Saxo VTR / Saxo VTS turbo

   #3 3rd August 2010, 14:41

   does sound like a water pump fault, what makes you say there is no pressure?
   A good way to check if the water pump is working is to open the water filler cap and hold the throttle open to around 2000-3000 revs and see if there is any water flowing into the tank
4. Lewis Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Oct 2009 Middlesbrough/Coventry Posts: 3808 Megane 225

   #4 3rd August 2010, 16:38

   cheers mate. When i took off one of the pipes coming out of the engine there was no water returning back to the radiator but i could force water into the engine.
5. Lewis Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Oct 2009 Middlesbrough/Coventry Posts: 3808 Megane 225

   #5 3rd August 2010, 21:03

   Today i filled the rad again and after about 10 mins the temp gauge read 1/2 way but there was steam or boiling water flowing into the filler bottle. Anyone help please??
6. CbVtR Regular Poster Joined: Apr 2009 Hemel Hempstead Posts: 437 Saxo VTR / Saxo VTS turbo

   #6 4th August 2010, 12:20

   Have you checked the thermostat mate, might be stuck shut, ways to check this are
   
   1. start the car and keep checking the top and bottom rad hoses, one should be warm, and one should be cooler, as the engine gets hotter the thermostat should open allowing the flow through the rad thus making both rad hoses hot.
   
   2. take the thermostat out of its housing, boil the kettle and pour the hot water into something suitable, eg somthing you can see through, make should the thermostat is cold by runnning it under cold water, and then dip it in the boiling hot water, if it moves and opens up its fine, if it doesnt move at all then its dead mate.
7. Lewis Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Oct 2009 Middlesbrough/Coventry Posts: 3808 Megane 225

   #7 4th August 2010, 12:44

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by CbVtR Have you checked the thermostat mate, might be stuck shut, ways to check this are 1. start the car and keep checking the top and bottom rad hoses, one should be warm, and one should be cooler, as the engine gets hotter the thermostat should open allowing the flow through the rad thus making both rad hoses hot. 2. take the thermostat out of its housing, boil the kettle and pour the hot water into something suitable, eg somthing you can see through, make should the thermostat is cold by runnning it under cold water, and then dip it in the boiling hot water, if it moves and opens up its fine, if it doesnt move at all then its dead mate.

   Many thanks for the help mate! The radiator hose from the bloock was boiling and the rad hose from the rad was cold. Ill try out what you said, thanks again
8. CbVtR Regular Poster Joined: Apr 2009 Hemel Hempstead Posts: 437 Saxo VTR / Saxo VTS turbo

   #8 4th August 2010, 17:35

   sounds like a defo themostat problem then, good luck with it mate let me know how you get on!
9. Lewis Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Oct 2009 Middlesbrough/Coventry Posts: 3808 Megane 225

   #9 4th August 2010, 19:33

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by CbVtR sounds like a defo themostat problem then, good luck with it mate let me know how you get on!

   Ok i tested the thermostat just as you said and the thermostate moved in and out just as it should. But now disaster, the car wont even start anymore. The starter cranks over butt there is not even an attempt to start
10. CbVtR Regular Poster Joined: Apr 2009 Hemel Hempstead Posts: 437 Saxo VTR / Saxo VTS turbo

    #10 4th August 2010, 22:15

    thats a strange one mate, maybe you have a headgasket gone then, if the headgasket has split across one of the water lines through the block it is possible for it to cause back pressure in the water system, do you have like a white sludge underneath the rad filler cap? does the exhaust put out white smoke/steam when running?
    see if you can get the car to a garage to get them to do a pressure test on the head to see if this is the problem.
    
    but to be honest I would try changing the water pump mate, if the themostat is not the problem it will more than likely be the water pump.
    
    As for you engine not starting thats a strange one to, have you connected the water temp sensor/s back up properly? wires in good condition, not corroded/oxidised?
11. Lewis Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Oct 2009 Middlesbrough/Coventry Posts: 3808 Megane 225

    #11 4th August 2010, 23:31

    Thanks again for the help, there is no smoke and no sludge in the filler cap and no oil leaks. I was advised to have a water pressure test, im going to put the old radiator back on tommorow and return to how it was.
    
    As for not starting ill try clean the sensor, the wires are looking on the dodgy side but they worked fine before. Apparently i need to check the current across the fuel pump, check all fuses and check the fuel shutoff/reset it. If all else fails ill have to get a mechanic to help