Good afternoon all!

I was driving in heavy, stationary in fact, traffic today and my car was overheating a great deal..

The fan didn't cut in so I'm assuming that's the problem.

There's also water sitting over the joint of the head with the inlet manifold..

Any ideas? Can I check for anything myself here?

Has the coolant level dropped at all?

Could be a dodgy thermostat. Cheap to get replaced.

Not really, 5mm to 1cm max.

If that's it though, why did the dashboard tell me that the engine was too hot?

Cooling fan is ECU controlled.....

I hate to say it but unless the fan motor is broken you might have the early stages of HGF....

Cooling fan is ECU controlled.....

I hate to say it but unless the fan motor is broken you might have the early stages of HGF....

:-( Oh dear.. Hoping not, gotta drive to Norwich on Saturday!

But surely, the ECU would sense the temerature rise and turn the fan on to try and compensate?

Not if there was an airlock around the engine coolant sensor.....casued by HGF

It would be an idea to check if the fan works - try wiring it diectly to the battery - see if it works..

:-( Oh dear.. Hoping not, gotta drive to Norwich on Saturday!


Coming to the back end of the earth :D

Shall do.. I'll take it to work tomorrow and do some tinkering at lunchtime!

So how does the temperature guage go up on the dashboard without the ECU knowing about it then?

Different sensors - there are two coolant sensors on the engine...one for the ECU, one for the gauge.

Is that round your way then Stu? It's a bit of a trek considering it's not that far really!

Is that round your way then Stu? It's a bit of a trek considering it's not that far really!

Yep, I live just outside of Norwich.

Different sensors - there are two coolant sensors on the engine...one for the ECU, one for the gauge.

Oh dear. I'm in trouble again!

So can I do anything to lengthen the life of the HG on there? Drive at low revs, no fully open throttle etc?

No, nothing really.

Keep an eye on the coolant level and don't drive if the gauge goes sky-high.

The K Series engine cannot take overheating like others can.

Yep, I live just outside of Norwich.

Whereabouts? My mate's just moved up there and we went exploring when I was up there the other week..

No, nothing really.

Keep an eye on the coolant level and don't drive if the gauge goes sky-high.

The K Series engine cannot take overheating like others can.

If you were me, would you risk a 600 odd mile (or however far it is!) round trip?
I will of course be driving below the limit..

Whereabouts? My mate's just moved up there and we went exploring when I was up there the other week..

Easton. Just off of the southern bypass (dereham end) near the Norfolk showground. Where has your mate moved to?

If you were me, would you risk a 600 odd mile (or however far it is!) round trip?
I will of course be driving below the limit..

Get the fan and thermostst checked. If a problem is found and fixed then yes. If no reason can be found, then probably not.

Have you got any recovery cover?

Easton hey! Maybe you'll hear my new exhaust when i'm on my way to work each day!

Ah no....not another raspy old exhaust........I hate them! :***:

Easton. Just off of the southern bypass (dereham end) near the Norfolk showground. Where has your mate moved to?

Nice.

She's bang in Norwich city centre.. Can't remember what road (really should find out!). I know it's near the road that has loads of music shops on it though, I was most impressed with that road!

Get the fan and thermostst checked. If a problem is found and fixed then yes. If no reason can be found, then probably not.

Have you got any recovery cover?

Shall do.. Fingers crossed!!

Ermm.. Well I did until about a week ago. They tried to take the direct debit too early and it rejected owing to me not having ANY money whatsoever!
If I drive up I'll most certainly pay up and make sure I'm covered.

Ah no....not another raspy old exhaust........I hate them! :***:

Mmmm. Sorry, mine makes a bit of a funny noise too.. Only when I put my foot on the floor though! I promise!

Just stay away from my neighbourhood!!

I hate ricers with noisy exhausts.......

Have you tried replacing the fuse for the fan.

Mine went once on a hot day, the coolant overheated and spurted all over my engine bay, it took ages to clean!! I had the car towed 30 miles by the RAC thinking I had a serious problem, the mechanic laughed at the RAC man who thought it was HGF and charged me a quid to replace the fuse!!

Sometimes problem have simple answers.

Just stay away from my neighbourhood!!

I hate ricers with noisy exhausts.......

Sorry major!

Although I'm clearly not a ricer.. My car isn't fast enough yet!

Have you tried replacing the fuse for the fan.

Mine went once on a hot day, the coolant overheated and spurted all over my engine bay, it took ages to clean!! I had the car towed 30 miles by the RAC thinking I had a serious problem, the mechanic laughed at the RAC man who thought it was HGF and charged me a quid to replace the fuse!!

Sometimes problem have simple answers.

This I like the sound of..

Does anyone know which fuse that is.. I'm at work but I wanna try RIGHT NOW!
It would also be useful to know another fuse of the same type and what it does. Then I can swap and test!

It might be in your car manual.

I'll have a look at mine at lunchtime.

It might be in your car manual.

I'll have a look at mine at lunchtime.

Don't worry! I just had a look, the map is on the flap.. Hmmm.. Poetic.

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IT WAS THE FUSE!
Stupid boy. Why didn't I check that?

Thank you sir, I'm going to need your address so I can kiss your face. :URGOD:

Now to find out why it blew in the first place.. :(

Fuses blow all the time, its normally because the wire becomes fatigued from all the surges of electricity. I wouldn't worry about it unless it blows again within a few months.

Don't feel stupid, I once got called at 1am when my mate's pc broke and he had to hand in his uni coursework. He had the cover off and had been trying for an hour to get it working. The donut had partly pulled the power lead out with his feet!!

Well spotted though.

Nice.

She's bang in Norwich city centre.. Can't remember what road (really should find out!). I know it's near the road that has loads of music shops on it though, I was most impressed with that road!

Magdalen Street or St Benedicts Street come to mind with record shops.

Fuses blow all the time, its normally because the wire becomes fatigued from all the surges of electricity. I wouldn't worry about it unless it blows again within a few months.

Don't feel stupid, I once got called at 1am when my mate's pc broke and he had to hand in his uni coursework. He had the cover off and had been trying for an hour to get it working. The donut had partly pulled the power lead out with his feet!!

Well thank you none the less.. Saved me a lot of time and effort!

Yeah that's good work.. I've done some freelance repair work and it's not rare for people to call me out for things like that!

Magdalen Street or St Benedicts Street come to mind with record shops.

The first one rings a bell... It's deep within the one way system. A right s#d to get too!