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Jamie Bowe
Fully Licenced
156 Posts
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 Posted - 10 Aug 2011 : 5:39:20 PM
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Hey everyone, I got it registered today.
I put in a coolant mix from autobarn before i went to get it rego'd. So it all went fine and then I went for a little drive.
On my way home steam started gushing from under the bonnet (Temp guage was sitting just under half) So i slammed on the brakes and pulled over, opened up my hood, and water & steam was pissing out from under the overflow cap, i let it sit for 5 mins,then checked the water and it was empty for some odd reason (There is definitely no leaks) So i refilled it and got home safely with no overheating, but i don't know what this problem could be.
I got home and checked the IN & OUT hoses for the radiator and they were both the same temp.
The water coming from out of the overflow was brown, it seemed like it was just realllyyyy old dirty water. It wasn't cream and didn't smell like exhaust fumes and my car has been running better than fine so i know its not a blown headgasket. |
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Antman
P Plater
28 Posts
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Posted - 10 Aug 2011 : 10:36:34 PM
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I can think of 3 possible things to check from what you're saying. But I could also be wrong, stranger things have happened
1.Pull the radiator out and reverse flush it and see what comes out and what the flow is like. If it flows good and no crap comes out try....
2.Taking off the water pump(you will most likely need a new gasket to re-install it, or just go ahead and buy a waterpump they aren't that expensive)to see if the fins have corroded or bearings have collapsed.
3.otherwise it's sounding like you have a blown head gasket. Check for high pressure very quickly after starting in your radiator hoses.
Or see if there is a spark plug cleaner then the others(being washed by water)
These are just suggestions. Bit hard to diagnose cars over the internet.
Good luck |
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Jamie Bowe
Fully Licenced
156 Posts
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Posted - 11 Aug 2011 : 11:50:52 AM
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| What do you mean high pressure? As in squeezing them and seeing how soft they are? |
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Jamie Bowe
Fully Licenced
156 Posts
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Posted - 11 Aug 2011 : 12:07:08 PM
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| All the brown water is now gone, its just the green coolant now. So the headgasket is definitely fine, Shane agrees with me on this one. I'm gonna take it for another drive to see if it just had an air bubble. |
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Jamie Bowe
Fully Licenced
156 Posts
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Posted - 11 Aug 2011 : 12:35:51 PM
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| Just took it for a nice long drive, same thing happened, just not as bad. My temp gauge was sitting about a quater above cold, So my engine was fine, And has had great performance, so i doubt its the headgasket. Is the thermostat only meant to regulate the temperature? Because both hoses coming in and out of the radiator were both hot, so idk what that means. |
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MrNutter
P Plater
55 Posts
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Posted - 12 Aug 2011 : 8:03:59 PM
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| I'd reverse flush the whole system, remembering to have the heater on when you do it, not forget like I did once, then flush it back out the other way. Replace the thermostat while your doing the flush. If the water is that discolored it probably hasn't been done for ages & is full of crap. If that doesn't solve your problem then follow the steps Antman recommended. |
VN Sedan Series I.
Stock aside from steering wheel, airhorn & stereo system but is exceptionally tidy. |
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VNSVLE
Forum Moderator
1316 Posts
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Posted - 12 Aug 2011 : 8:11:51 PM
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| Have you checked for the coolant bubbling with the engine cold and running?? |
What's the difference between understeer and oversteer?
Understeer is when the driver is scared.
Oversteer is when the passenger is scared. |
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Jamie Bowe
Fully Licenced
156 Posts
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Jamie Bowe
Fully Licenced
156 Posts
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Posted - 12 Aug 2011 : 10:32:07 PM
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| Just tried it then, no bubbling or steam mate. |
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Jamie Bowe
Fully Licenced
156 Posts
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Posted - 15 Aug 2011 : 11:00:23 AM
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| Just went to the mechanics, he disconnected my heater core (apparently had a leak) and apparently my inlet manifold had a leak to, so he sealed it up. I drove it home and it was bubbling when i got back, i called the mechanic and he said the sealant needs to set, so i have to take it for a few drives for that to happen. fingers crossed. Then i have to drain the water and stuff and put coolant in, the only problem is i dont actually know how to flush the water system :S |
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Jamie Bowe
Fully Licenced
156 Posts
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Posted - 15 Aug 2011 : 4:54:11 PM
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| Just took it for a long drive, all fixed. Thanks for the help guys |
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Jamie Bowe
Fully Licenced
156 Posts
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Posted - 16 Aug 2011 : 1:21:10 PM
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Just got home from a 2 hour drive to go see VNGRPA (Shane)
And just as i pulled into my driveway, it was pissing out water but not really any steam, (The water was boiling lots)
But what i think it is, the guy put water in, instead of coolant, so it would set the sealant better.
Could it be water thats just causing it to boil now? And how do I drain a SER 1 VN?
Please respond asap guys, I would really appreciate it |
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MrNutter
P Plater
55 Posts
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Posted - 16 Aug 2011 : 5:12:59 PM
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This should help you with the drain & flush of the cooling system: http://www.vncommodore.com/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=727
While water has a lower boiling point than any coolant I doubt that is the reason why it is boiling. It simply shouldn't get hot enough for that. I ran water in my VN for a couple of weeks with a cooling system cleaner in it & if anything it stayed cooler than usual. What was the gauge reading when you pulled in the driveway & where is the water coming from? I'd be checking the water pump to ensure it's working properly, the thermostat to see if it's opening (drop it in a cup of boiling water), radiator cap, filler bottle cap & all hoses. |
VN Sedan Series I.
Stock aside from steering wheel, airhorn & stereo system but is exceptionally tidy. |
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Jamie Bowe
Fully Licenced
156 Posts
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Posted - 16 Aug 2011 : 8:05:47 PM
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It goes up only about 1/4 highest i saw it was just under half way.
I forgot to mention my overflow bottle is fairly cracked at the top, and my cap is quite old, would it be boiling because theres not enough pressure? |
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VNSVLE
Forum Moderator
1316 Posts
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Posted - 17 Aug 2011 : 3:36:48 PM
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| The cracks would not be helping at all especially with the series ones. I know the newer cars will boil with the cap off and no pressure in the system. |
What's the difference between understeer and oversteer?
Understeer is when the driver is scared.
Oversteer is when the passenger is scared. |
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Jamie Bowe
Fully Licenced
156 Posts
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Posted - 17 Aug 2011 : 3:38:39 PM
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| I'll try a new cap and tank, fingers crossed it works haha. Took it for a 30min drive before and it was fine, its quite cold though because its raining. |
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Jamie Bowe
Fully Licenced
156 Posts
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Posted - 22 Aug 2011 : 4:22:26 PM
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| ****, just started pissing out fluid and steam again, what could this be!!! :( |
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Mechknight73
National Driver
1001 Posts
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Posted - 23 Aug 2011 : 01:44:51 AM
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| Three places, and I seem to have had them all; Inlet manifold, surge/header tank and timing cover. If you know for sure the manifold isn't leaking, and it's not your header tank, the next one to look for is the timing cover. Had one let go on me recently, which started as a slow leak. Where the bottom hose connects to the water pump, behind it is where the timing cover usually leaks. Look for telltale signs of rust or coolant stains, and make sure it's not the water pump itself |
Edited by - Mechknight73 on 23 Aug 2011 01:47:35 AM |
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VNSVLE
Forum Moderator
1316 Posts
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Posted - 23 Aug 2011 : 06:36:21 AM
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I know they are different engines but the last couple of times I have done ecotecs I have had to massage the bottom radiator hose for over half an hour to get all of the air pockets out of the engine before they would behave properly.
What is happening can only be caused by 1 of 2 things either combustion pressure pressurising the cooling system which would present with bubbling in the header tank while running which you said it is not doing. The other is there is air trapped in the engine somewhere and as it heats up it expands making little super heated pockets which once the coolant reaches will rapidly boil causing excessive pressure and pushing the coolant out.
How have you filled the cooling system??
Have you got a manual to follow??
Just having a read of mine and there is a fairly detailed process outlined in the manual.
Let us know.
Cheers |
What's the difference between understeer and oversteer?
Understeer is when the driver is scared.
Oversteer is when the passenger is scared. |
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Jamie Bowe
Fully Licenced
156 Posts
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Posted - 23 Aug 2011 : 2:08:56 PM
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| I'll have to check tonight, thanks so much for advice guys, i'm painting it right now so i cant get under the hood, i got autobarn to mix me up a colour and its come out terrible, just hope it dries ok |
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Jamie Bowe
Fully Licenced
156 Posts
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Posted - 29 Aug 2011 : 12:20:24 PM
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Just got a new overflow tank, left it running for 30 mins, everything got really hot (Not on the temp guage) just on the cooling system, the hose coming out of the radiator was a little more hotter than the one going in. I turned it off and heard all the steam in the overflow buzzing.. Then i took off the cap and saw the water had actually risen, (Or coolant, not sure if all the water is out of the system) and about 5 seconds after taking it off it just started boiling frantically..
So what I want to know, when all of turn your cars off, can you hear the steam wizzing? Is that normal, and does it boil if you take off the cap straight after. Cheers |
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Mechknight73
National Driver
1001 Posts
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Posted - 29 Aug 2011 : 7:21:09 PM
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An S1 V6 will sound like it's "boiling" if you undo the cap after it gets to operating temperature because it's meant to be under a certain amount of pressure. When mine had other leaks, I'd release the pressure from the cap, then keep filling until it stops "bubbling over" in the header tank. It's displacing air, so will sometimes seem very dramatic.
For the most part, if your temp sensor is properly connected (that's the single pin one on the back of the manifold) the gauge can generally be trusted to tell the truth, even if there's no water near it. |
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VNSVLE
Forum Moderator
1316 Posts
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Posted - 30 Aug 2011 : 12:29:56 AM
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Not sure on the gauge one Mechknight. I killed one of my engines when the temp gauge showed fine while running.
I realized I had no power and was loosing speed. Temp guage was fine until I put my foot on the clutch. As soon as I pushed the clutch in the engine died and the temp gauge smacked the top.
Found out that the cooling system cleaner I ran through the engine cleaned out that much crap it blocked the radiator and blew a hole in it dropping the coolant out and seizing the engine.
One side of the radiator was cool to the touch and the other side was to hot to touch.
This may be a one off thing never to happen again but it is something to be mindful of.
Cheers |
What's the difference between understeer and oversteer?
Understeer is when the driver is scared.
Oversteer is when the passenger is scared. |
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Mechknight73
National Driver
1001 Posts
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Posted - 30 Aug 2011 : 10:30:54 AM
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This is my own personal experience, but when my timing cover blew, my temp. gauge was telling me in real time what was going on, despite the fact that the sensor was nowhere near the water level. It shot up very fast, and I limped to the nearest servo. It was when I tried to fill the cooling system up again that I found the 6mm diameter hole behind the water pump.
It is unusual to have an engine overheat and one side to be "cook your snags on it" hot and the other side to be lukewarm. I think you may have had the mother of all weird symptoms in that one, or that engine was possessed lol |
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VNSVLE
Forum Moderator
1316 Posts
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Posted - 30 Aug 2011 : 11:27:23 AM
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| lol possession could be a possibility. The other side of the radiator was more cold than lukewarm not cold cold but cool to the touch. |
What's the difference between understeer and oversteer?
Understeer is when the driver is scared.
Oversteer is when the passenger is scared. |
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Jamie Bowe
Fully Licenced
156 Posts
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Posted - 30 Aug 2011 : 11:31:35 AM
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| Hey guys, just took it into the mechanics and he said it was the fan and my fuses were blown (I didn't remember them being blown) So he replaced the fuses and charged me 10 bucks, he said it was running fine, after a 30 min drive i get home and it was boiling again!!! So i called him and he thinks i need to take it to an auto electrician, and if its not the problem than my head gasket is blown. I know its not blown because it has none of the symptoms, so I'm gonna try hook the fan up to a kill switch now, is it meant to blow towards the motor or the radiator |
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Jamie Bowe
Fully Licenced
156 Posts
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Posted - 30 Aug 2011 : 12:17:20 PM
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| Just hooked it up to the kill switch and took it for a drive, i don't think it did much, I urgently need help I don't know what else to do guys!!! |
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VNGRPA
Fully Licenced
426 Posts
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Posted - 30 Aug 2011 : 4:30:38 PM
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| well after reading the hole thing again i would be taking the hoses off and checking the radiator as what vnsvle said one of his hoses was hot to touch and the other was cold witch is what happened yesterday when i was at your house mate and vnsvle ended up blowing up his motor i checked the motor for a blown head gasket but i didn't do a compression test but there was no signs of a blown head gasket so i would be checking the radiator mate do a flush and see if it is blocked mate apart from that you can replace the water pump and thermostat at the same time that way all the cooling system has been replaced apart from the heater core witch you said your not getting any water/coolant on your foot or passengers foot and when you took me for a drive it had heaps of power so it cant be a blown head gasket |
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Jamie Bowe
Fully Licenced
156 Posts
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Posted - 30 Aug 2011 : 5:43:15 PM
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| Yea bro, how do i flush the radiator? Both the hoses were hot, but i noticed when i squished the bottom hose while the car was running i could hear a splashing sound in the radiator. Something tells me theres a **** load of air or something, I have my car booked for a compression test on Thursday so I have my fingers crossed. Come on MSN ASAP mate :) |
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Mechknight73
National Driver
1001 Posts
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Posted - 30 Aug 2011 : 7:25:36 PM
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Several ways to clean a radiator, but this is the "leave no stone unturned" version:
If you fixed your heater core, turn the heater on in the car, and add some collant flush. Get it up to operating temperature, and run for about 20 minutes. Remove your thermostat (remember to replace the gasket) and drop the bottom hose. You can use both compressed air and water to force out more loose shale and rust particles from the block by alternating between the top and bottom hoses in pumping air and water in. When the water comes out completely clean, you can have the radiator tanks removed, and have the cores "rodded;" essentially poking out anything stuck in the cores from the inside. Reassemble, put the thermostat back in (replace it if you have even the tiniest doubts about it) and put some good quality rust inhibitor in it.
The roadhouse I used to work at, temperatures rose to up to 50 degrees Celsius in summer, so I learned a lot about why engines overheat. The short answer is, 90% of them have either clogged radiators, or the fins between the cores have rotted away, so the heat isn't diffused the way the radiator was designed to do. Thermostats do jam up, but this isn't as common. |
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VN Going through lots of water?
