Any ideas?

4th June 2014, 18:48

was driving my car then all of a sudden the temp needle started going through the roof it heated right up to the red but no light came on, i pulled over opened the bonnet and there was water leaking out from the rad, so i waited for the engine to cool right down then started driving again it took about 1-2 mins before the needle was at the top again. i pulled over again checked the coolant level it was really low so to get me home abour a mile away i just put a litre of water in started driving off then it did the exact same thing.

so do i need a new rad, the rad that is in it is about 2 months old or do i just need to drain it refill with water and antifreeze?

Thanks

4th June 2014, 19:22

Drain, refill with water and antifreeeze in 50:50 mix. It could be boiling if you've not enough coolant. Make sure you bleed the system correctly.

Where was the water coming from on the rad? just under the cap?

Worst case scenario, head gasket has gone and is pressurising the cooling system. Get it compression tested maybe?

Also, engine and year would be useful to know!!!

Whatever you do, DON'T drive the car anywhere until it's sorted. or you WILL end up with head gasket problems if you don't already.

4th June 2014, 19:24

i think its 1998 its s reg, it is a blacktop.

4th June 2014, 19:28

one strange thing was that i thought the engine would of seemed hotter as the needle was right upto the red, when i opened the bonnet i didnt get a big blast of heat.

5th June 2014, 00:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashj22

one strange thing was that i thought the engine would of seemed hotter as the needle was right upto the red, when i opened the bonnet i didnt get a big blast of heat.

So it's a 90hp VTR?

It's coolant temp, not engine temp. doesn't mean you'll feel it