VTR Running Too Hot

  1. Newbie Joined: Jul 2010 Posts: 5
    #1
    Sorry, I know there's loads of threads on here about this but need some reassurance that my car isn't going to pop!!!

    After about 10 minutes of running the temp gauge is sat at 3/4, if you're driving at 80mph it's near enough on the top line. It's never gone over the line and the warning light's never come on (yet) the air coming out of the blowers above the pedals is hot enough to scald. I've replaced the temp sensor and the thermostat, the gauge is still showing the same temp but there's a drastic difference in the air temp coming out of the heaters.

    There's oil and water in it, going where it should, no oil in the water or vice versa. Could it be the gauge??????

    Please help!!
  2. Established Member Joined: Nov 2009 Maldon Posts: 2033 1. MK2 Chalked VT'd 1.1 2. MK1 VTS
    #2
    Stupid as it sounds - is the fan on?
  3. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Feb 2010 Moke's Master!!! Posts: 3434 Ibiza Formula Sport Yammy yzf r6
    #3
    have you changed your coolant flushed out your radiator and yes as said above is the fan working?
  4. Established Member Joined: Nov 2009 Maldon Posts: 2033 1. MK2 Chalked VT'd 1.1 2. MK1 VTS
    #4
    Have you checked for air in the rad also? Is the water pumping round?
  5. Established Member Joined: May 2008 Thanet, Kent Posts: 1529 White MkII VTS Black MkII VTS
    #5
    I notice you say there is water in it. Is there coolant mixture in the water too?
  6. Newbie Joined: Jul 2010 Posts: 5
    #6
    The water's been drained completely and re-filled, radiator's been bled defo no air in it. The fan kicks in when the gauge hits 3/4 and is usually still running when the engine's turned off.
  7. Newbie Joined: Jul 2010 Posts: 5
    #7
    No coolant in the water no..............
  8. Regular Poster Joined: Feb 2009 London/Middlesex Posts: 336 8v Füri-y0
    #8
    thermostat might be sticking? are all the pipes getting hot? the engine might be running to rich, check all air pipes are connected and there is no air leaks anywere.
  9. Regular Poster Joined: Feb 2009 London/Middlesex Posts: 336 8v Füri-y0
    #9
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by flarblar View Post
    No coolant in the water no..............
    Well this could be one of your main problems.

    You need a mixture of both coolant and water. Then re-bleed the system and see how it goes.
  10. Newbie Joined: Jul 2010 Posts: 5
    #10
    At the risk of sounding like your 'A typical' female now, do I need to drain all the water out again before putting the coolant in??? All the pipes are hot, and there's no leaks
  11. Established Member Joined: May 2009 Manchester Posts: 1778 Mk4 Fezzy, Mango Westie, Fezzy Zetec y0!, Saxo VTR
    #11
    Best thing to do (mainly coz its free and i have the same problem now and again, usually winter though) is re-bleed your rad system through again.

    replace the thermostat, and get some gasket weld or instant gasket, and use that as an extra seal, because the housing of the thermo warps due to heat, so never fits air tight.

    then wap some coolant in and you should be fine.

    after about 10 mins of driving (if that) my temp says 3/4 of the way... dunno if thats normal, thought it was. but it doesnt go over 3/4 of the way.

    you can tell if its running too hot coz it will smell weird. mine doesnt smell, so guessing 3/4s up is normal... can i get a 10/4?
  12. Regular Poster Joined: Feb 2009 London/Middlesex Posts: 336 8v Füri-y0
    #12
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by flarblar View Post
    At the risk of sounding like your 'A typical' female now, do I need to drain all the water out again before putting the coolant in??? All the pipes are hot, and there's no leaks
    Basically, you need to re-drain the water, top up with anti-freeze/coolant and then top up with water. I would personally stick about 3-4 litres of antifreeze in and then water.

    While you are topping it up, there is a bleed screw by the thermostat, leave that slightly open while you are topping up the coolant + water, this will make sure all air is removed from the system, as when pouring in coolant or water into your system, if doing it to quick it can cause air to draw in causing more air locks.

    Hope this helps
  13. Established Member Joined: May 2008 Thanet, Kent Posts: 1529 White MkII VTS Black MkII VTS
    #13
    I would replace the entire contents of the system with the correct mixture of coolant and water. Did you know that there are a couple of bleed points, not just the one on the radiator?
  14. Regular Poster Joined: Feb 2009 London/Middlesex Posts: 336 8v Füri-y0
    #14
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Newtz07 View Post
    Best thing to do (mainly coz its free and i have the same problem now and again, usually winter though) is re-bleed your rad system through again.

    replace the thermostat, and get some gasket weld or instant gasket, and use that as an extra seal, because the housing of the thermo warps due to heat, so never fits air tight.

    then wap some coolant in and you should be fine.

    after about 10 mins of driving (if that) my temp says 3/4 of the way... dunno if thats normal, thought it was. but it doesnt go over 3/4 of the way.

    you can tell if its running too hot coz it will smell weird. mine doesnt smell, so guessing 3/4s up is normal... can i get a 10/4?
    Should really never go over half way mate, unless your dials are reading wrong.
  15. Established Member Joined: May 2008 Thanet, Kent Posts: 1529 White MkII VTS Black MkII VTS
    #15
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by micks233 View Post
    Should really never go over half way mate, unless your dials are reading wrong.
    The dials are not very accurate in Saxos.



    For bleeding the system use this guide.

    http://www.saxperience.com/forum/showthread.php?t=98877

    There are 3 bleed points in the car.
  16. Established Member Joined: Oct 2004 Warrington Posts: 1987 AX VTS 57 3.0 TDI A5
    #16
    Having no antifreeze doesnt really make any difference in summer. Obviously if it freezes its bad news though, but it wont be causing your problem.

    Top up the water and check the termostat is opening (the top hose will be hot and pressurised if it is). Cheap fix is a problem with a thermostat or blocked radiator, but it could quite possibly be the headgasket letting air into the system and causing an airlock. Continually overheating it to the red like wont be doing you any favours atall.
  17. Newbie Joined: Jul 2010 Posts: 5
    #17
    Going oon the theory that it could be the head gasket I've been having a nose on the internet, has anyone used steel seal????
  18. Regular Poster Joined: Feb 2009 London/Middlesex Posts: 336 8v Füri-y0
    #18
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by flarblar View Post
    Going oon the theory that it could be the head gasket I've been having a nose on the internet, has anyone used steel seal????
    no cant say i have, most sealents all do the same to be honest, i normally use clear sealent, simply as its clear and cant be seen, so makes less mess. but im fussy
  19. Established Member Joined: May 2008 Thanet, Kent Posts: 1529 White MkII VTS Black MkII VTS
    #19
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by micks233 View Post
    no cant say i have, most sealents all do the same to be honest, i normally use clear sealent, simply as its clear and cant be seen, so makes less mess. but im fussy
    I think you are getting confused between a liquid gasket and a repair product that you can use to try and repair the headgasket.
  20. L-plater Joined: Jul 2010 Stoke-on-Trent Posts: 48
    #20
    my vtr goes to 3/4 but then the fan kicks in and it drops to half way, and stays there.
  21. Established Member Joined: May 2010 leicester Posts: 1446 Clio 182 Inferno
    #21
    everyones seem to read different, my fan cuts in when its a little bit over half way, also having antifreeze in your water wont make a difference to the temp, the coolant is actually the water, the antifreeze does exactly what it says on the tin (prevents the coolant sytem freezing up) its also worth checking you have the right thermostat installed and that yours isnt just worn as they age (wax inside the stat goes manky), all thermostats have the opening temperature on the back of them, typically 88-90 degrees, but if you fit a 92 c thermostat your guage will read higher and the fan will cut in later due to the stat not opening early enough
  22. Established Member Joined: May 2009 Manchester Posts: 1778 Mk4 Fezzy, Mango Westie, Fezzy Zetec y0!, Saxo VTR
    #22
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by micks233 View Post
    Should really never go over half way mate, unless your dials are reading wrong.
    yer?

    it doesnt smell hot, but if i drive about a bit and then left the bonnet, the engine feels red hot...

    i am gonna get some coolant, as i am just running water at the moment!