The Radiator Mystery. Help please :)

  1. Newbie Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 7
    #1
    Hello all, as you can see I am new here. No better way to kick off than an issue to be solved.......

    I have owned my Saxo for over a year and I am fully aware of how a Saxo can be, with a number of friends owning the model. I have managed to fix most issues myself but I thought it wise to consult the experts before I move on this issue, the experts being you!

    Ok, I am driving back from Uni with a mate and the red light goes on. This is strange, it's coming from the left side! The water temp is near maximum and I have not had this before. Needless to say we pulled over in around 20 seconds and put the heaters on. Nothing but cold air???? Clue number 1 maybe? Or is the heating matrix only working when you have water, because when we popped the hood we found that the radiator was almost bone dry.

    Luckily we were 2 minutes from my mates so we went to get water, came back and as we poored the first bit in it literally evaporated instantly it was that hot, even after 10 minutes sitting there. We filled it up and I made it home. Now, come the morning it is nearly all gone again . What is going on here. I have filled it up, left it running for 10 minutes with some slight throttle inputs and nothing is leaking. Not even a drop. I run it up the road and come back and maybe it has gone down very very slightly, but hardly noticable.

    Sorry for it been long winded but just want you to have all the information. Thank you to anybody that can help me.
  2. Newbie Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 7
    #2
    Oh I should also mention. A liquid has been suggested to me that you put into the radiator and it blocks any holes. However, this is a last resort for me, frankly I can't see it doing much good unless I am certain it is a hole somewhere in the system.

    Also, I am reluctant to try these products as they can have other affects. I only like having what is supposed to be in a radiator, in my radiator.
  3. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.
    #3
    The liquid is called Radweld I wouldn`t use it because it blocks your heater matrix,right the other thing with your water loss,take off your oil cap & check for a yellowy creamy film around the cap.2nd sniff your coolant does it smell of petrol.If yes to either of these then the head gasket has most probs gone.Also is the carpet wet in the passenger side?If so either the heater matrix or it`s pipes could be leaking.
  4. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Aug 2009 Dorking,Surrey,M25 J9 Posts: 2616 Static -80mm Peugeot 405
    #4
    Sounds like you've got an airlock. This can either be caused by a leak or head gasket failure.
  5. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jan 2008 Woolwich Barracks Posts: 3921 52 Plate Black 8v R'
    #5
    I would definately suggest you get your head gasket looked at
  6. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Jul 2009 Costa Del Posts: 8010
    #6
    Bleed your coolant system, if that fails you, then you have a HG failure, which is a common problem.
  7. Newbie Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 7
    #7
    Brilliant response lads. This is exactly what I thought it was, but I wanted to hear it first before I look silly.

    Ok I will check these things you have highlighted and get back to you. Going rate of a new head gasket done through a garage? Worth putting a vtr or s engine in the furio or is a new gasket simple enough?

    Thanks.
  8. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2011 plymouth Posts: 2921 mk2 VTS
    #8
    id go for a s engine instead of messing about with the 1.4
  9. Frequent Poster Joined: Oct 2011 Milton Keynes Posts: 869 2000 Citroen Saxo 1.0L
    #9
    What i would do is this:
    get a newspaper
    fill up the cooling system with water and coolant! (just water will cause you big problems)(oh and do this properly - ensure there is no air anywhere)
    put newspaper down everywhere you can under the engine! (make sure it is dry)
    run the engine
    check for leaks and the newspaper will clearly show you water!
    if you see a leak *easier fix - look for your leak - replace part*
    if you see no water then..
    open up the oil cap and look for a yellowy gel
    or sniff your coolant and see if you can smell oil
    if so - you need a new headgasket

    hope this helps!
  10. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 9100 Amazon green VTR 16v, Inferno RS clio 182
    #10
    if its got hot enough to boil the water off like you said after 10 minutes sitting I'd say the head gasket has most likely blown, or atleast the head will be warped. You could get it skimmed if its not too bad and slam on a new gasket but frankly if you want an upgrade put in a 16v or an 8v unit. What is the oil like?
  11. Frequent Poster Joined: Oct 2011 Milton Keynes Posts: 869 2000 Citroen Saxo 1.0L
    #11
    I had my head gasket done several months ago and it cost me £550 but you could get it a lot cheaper, just look around and get loads of prices for it
  12. Newbie Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 7
    #12
    Ok. Oil cap nothing on it but some oil so this is fine. No sign of Yellow gunk or cream or anything except a little oil. Secondly the coolant does not smell of petrol so maybe it's not the gasket afterall. I put water in it only to get me home don't worry I know it's not good enough but I had to get it back somehow.

    Now, since this morning the water level has dropped and it has not gone anywhere. So this is surely pointing towards a simple leak. However I have sat under the bastard for 10 minutes and not seen a single drop anywhere. But, like you say, if your going to do it, do it right. So I will wap out the newspaper and go to work. Providing the rain holds off.

    Thanks again to all responses. I will get to the bottom of this lol literally. Also, I dont think it boiled it as I had coolant in it, so the boiling oint should be high. Just such a high temperature that when we began to pour the water in, it just hissed and evaporated for a few seconds. I noticed the car was not very responsive when I was on the road about 5 minutes before the light came on before. But you just don't look at the gauge when your driving.
  13. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.
    #13
    Right have you checked inside the car up under the dash(passenger side)to see if you heater matrix is leaking?
  14. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Jul 2009 Costa Del Posts: 8010
    #14
    A headgasket on a 8v Unit is easy, 10 head bolts are the hardest bit.

    At a garage, they would most likely charge between £200-£400 for a 8v Engine.

    Ignore the people saying "Go 16v or VTR it".. Would you rather be driving around with a Engine you know fuck all history about? Running costs of 16v's and repairs cost a hell of a lot more.

    See the sense, and get a Haynes Manual and do a DIY on the Headgasket yourself Take it to a Engine Specialist to be skimmed, usually around £30.
  15. Newbie Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 7
    #15
    Ah yes sorry I did, nothing to be seen. No damp on the floor carpet no nothing. I swear I have the phantom coolant thief or something.

    To make matters worse it's raining. So I can't search for the god dam leak. Looks like this one is on hold boys....
  16. Newbie Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 7
    #16
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Dom View Post
    A headgasket on a 8v Unit is easy, 10 head bolts are the hardest bit.

    At a garage, they would most likely charge between £200-£400 for a 8v Engine.

    Ignore the people saying "Go 16v or VTR it".. Would you rather be driving around with a Engine you know fuck all history about? Running costs of 16v's and repairs cost a hell of a lot more.

    See the sense, and get a Haynes Manual and do a DIY on the Headgasket yourself Take it to a Engine Specialist to be skimmed, usually around £30.
    Im not afraid of doing things myself. If I get the part myself, would I be able to fit it or would you recommend leaving this kind of thing to a garage?
  17. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 9100 Amazon green VTR 16v, Inferno RS clio 182
    #17
    It could be leaking into the combustion chamber and boiling off. If/when you take the head off check for a "clean" piston(s)
  18. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Jul 2009 Costa Del Posts: 8010
    #18
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Shropshire_Shane View Post
    Im not afraid of doing things myself. If I get the part myself, would I be able to fit it or would you recommend leaving this kind of thing to a garage?
    On a 8v, I would attack it myself, I have no previous mechanic qualifications, but I know my way around a 8v TU engine. Haynes Manual will help a lot
  19. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Jan 2008 ..... Posts: 5231 ..............
    #19
    try a radweld... alot cheaper option for a leak which is possiblysomething you cannot see.

    but if your down on performance, then its going towards HG im afraid...
  20. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.
    #20
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Aaron View Post
    try a radweld... alot cheaper option for a leak which is possiblysomething you cannot see.

    but if your down on performance, then its going towards HG im afraid...
    Radweld is bad for the cooling system as eventually it blocks the heater matrix.
  21. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Oct 2005 Aycliffe Posts: 32205 Saxo VTS
    #21
    Hello!

    Most certainly a leak (I suppose you knew that anyway), but by topping it up you'll no be bleeding the system correctly and causing further overheating problems. Ideally you need to get the coolant system pressure tested (not as expensive as it sounds) and then you can check for where the leaks are coming from - however, I'll be amazed if the engine has escaped from damage (head/headgasket). You can use RadWeld and similar but in my opinion it's a band-aid rather than a fix.

    Good luck!
  22. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Oct 2005 Aycliffe Posts: 32205 Saxo VTS
    #22
    That'll teach me for writing a reply and then hitting the 'post' button two and half hours later.
  23. Newbie Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 7
    #23
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Aaron View Post
    try a radweld... alot cheaper option for a leak which is possiblysomething you cannot see.

    but if your down on performance, then its going towards HG im afraid...
    When I took it out this morning it felt good. It felt down on performance yesterday because it had no water and was getting bloody hot lol.

    And yea I think I will stay away from that stuff.....for now. And that sounds good to me, if it is the HG I look forward to ripping it open....