not a saxo but got an urgent problem with the car

1. adamf0707 Established Member Joined: Oct 2008 louth, lincolnshire Posts: 1267 94 eg civic

   #1 5th December 2011, 09:47

   got a problem with the car,
   
   it broke down on the way home last night cos it ran out of water and it cut out, cos got a hole in the radiator, so went back to it this morning and put some water in it, and it wouldnt start cos the battery was flat, so got some jump leads on it and it still wouldnt start, so bumped it and it starts but then cuts out so got it back, checked the oil and theres no water in it so its not the head gasket, think it might just need a new battery and a radiator, any ideas? thanks
2. user_53493 Frequent Poster Joined: Jun 2011 Cardiff Posts: 908 Mk4 Fiesta Encore Mk1 Saxo Eastcoast

   #2 5th December 2011, 09:56

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by adamf0707 got a problem with the car, it broke down on the way home last night cos it ran out of water and it cut out, cos got a hole in the radiator, so went back to it this morning and put some water in it, and it wouldnt start cos the battery was flat, so got some jump leads on it and it still wouldnt start, so bumped it and it starts but then cuts out so got it back, checked the oil and theres no water in it so its not the head gasket, think it might just need a new battery and a radiator, any ideas? thanks

   Well definitely the radiator for starts (obviously), and sounds like the battery - especially after jump leads failing.
3. adamf0707 Established Member Joined: Oct 2008 louth, lincolnshire Posts: 1267 94 eg civic

   #3 5th December 2011, 10:04

   so i should try a new battery and radiator and go from there? anything else i can check?
4. user_53493 Frequent Poster Joined: Jun 2011 Cardiff Posts: 908 Mk4 Fiesta Encore Mk1 Saxo Eastcoast

   #4 5th December 2011, 10:11

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by adamf0707 so i should try a new battery and radiator and go from there? anything else i can check?

   Well you obviously need a new radiator, but as for the battery I'd imagine that if the alternator went, then it would have started with the jump leads, so can't be that. If it did start fine after bump starting it then I do think it's your battery.
   
   I'd double check with someone else though, that's my best guess but it's a guess at that!
5. adamf0707 Established Member Joined: Oct 2008 louth, lincolnshire Posts: 1267 94 eg civic

   #5 5th December 2011, 10:22

   someone told me to smell the water in the radiator and if it smells of petrol ive got problems, and it does, what does that mean?
6. ads85 Frequent Poster Joined: May 2011 Bradford on Avon,Nr Bath Posts: 866 '01 astra coupe

   #6 5th December 2011, 11:13

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by adamf0707 someone told me to smell the water in the radiator and if it smells of petrol ive got problems, and it does, what does that mean?

   Could be wrong but as far as i'm aware the coolant will give off a petrol type smell when its being burnt?, how long were you driving with no water/coolant in the system?, could have warped the head if things have gotten too hot, and i would check the alternator output voltage and connections as well as battery
7. Ben_SaxoForte Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2009 Stoke-on-trent Posts: 2640 Mk5 Golf GTTDI Mk2 VTR Project

   #7 5th December 2011, 12:58

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by ads85 Could be wrong but as far as i'm aware the coolant will give off a petrol type smell when its being burnt?, how long were you driving with no water/coolant in the system?, could have warped the head if things have gotten too hot, and i would check the alternator output voltage and connections as well as battery

   Was gonna say, it ran out of water completely? headgasket must of taken a bit of a bashing