Driving to work today and noticed that the water temp had risen to 102 on the defi guage (doesn't normally go past 90 and a bit). Even the OEM guage was on the 3/4 mark and this has never risen above half way since I've owned the car.

Had pushed on a bit in second and third gears twice in a few minutes or so but by no means was I ragging it. Wasn't hot outside either, about 8 degrees as it was 7 in the morning.

I turned the heater on full whack and it cooled back down to 90.

Will see what it's like on the way home but any suggestions?

 

Forgot to add, apart from that car was running fine, oil temp, pressure, etc all normal as well.

 

Maybe a bit low on coolant , allowing it to expand further, Check it when it cooled down completely

Dean

 

Checked coolant last night - bottle at the front of the car with plastic yellow "coolant" cap on I assume

Seems very low to me, was dark so couldn't see any levels but it was right at the bottom. Haven't noticed it leaking water or anything else for that matter.

When I put the heater on last night there wasn't any heat coming out

Maybe a dodgy thermostat?

 

Sounds even more likely that you are low on coolant.

I've not seen a thermostat stick in the open position before...


Andy

 

Hhhhhhhmmmmmm, so what's the likely cause then, split hose somewhere? Assume the car doesn't drink the stuff like I drink beer

Hopefully getting a friend to look at the car tonight. Hope it's nothing serious, got a rolling road session on 18th June

Thanks for the replies so far.

Chris

 

Bugger, not been able to sort this yet - if it is a leak assuming i can top water up and drive to nearest specialist to get it looked at (if I keep an eye on the temp and stop and top up water again on route if needed)??

Looks like rolling road will be a no no

 

Chris

I had this problem with my bugeye at the beginning of the year........eventually it was traced to a small split in the coolant pipe to the turbo hidden under the TMIC.

AFAIK the local dealer has some means of pressurising the system and listening for hissing or looking for leaks.

I hope you get it sorted

Cheers

Shaun

 

Hi Chris. Try to avoid using just water if you can -- Halfords sell ready-mixed ethylene glycol coolant that you can poor in if you need to top-up. This will be a lot better because you're not diluting what's already there (where water will boil earlier than a coolant mixture.)

Speaking from my own experiences within MR2 circles, perhaps consider replacing the radiator cap with a new unit. Rad caps pressurise the system which raises the boiling point. If the cap is failing then it might explain your higher temps. A cap shouldn't cost more than £20 I hope.

Ironically I'm looking into a coolant/overheating problem on my MR2 at the moment.

Jonts.

 

Thanks for the replies folks,

Shaun, I'm really hoping it's what you describe. Speaking to a friend today he's telling me the head gaskett might be fcuked if it's losing coolant

Car is sitting in garage feeling sorry for itself at the moment

Really must stop looking for a skyline and try and get it sorted

Chris

 

Hi Chris.

Typing this whilst my sick MR2 is also parked up outside feeling sorry for itself, I too thought it might just be the head-gasket but with some good fellow MR2 owners I've been advised to check out more of the basics before stripping the head apart.

New rad cap is a must in all honesty, coupled with a few bleeding sessions to make sure no air's trapped. Oh, and making sure the coolant levels are correct of course.

As well as a compression check (which proved fine) it's been suggested that a local MoT station could perform a 'sniffer' check for HC in the coolant in exchange for some beer tokens. With the probe positioned just above an open rad cap, any HC's _will_ get detected and confirm that the h/g is the problem. Another thing to check for apparently is the dipstick -- if the oil is emulsified then there's coolant contamination.

Another good one is the coolant system pressure check -- but from what I've seen the kit isn't cheap to buy for home and you have to pray that the adapters fit.

Although I won't be able to take it for a run today, I'm just about to go outside and fit my MR2's new rad cap and bleed it a little. I'll gladly let you know how I get on given we have similar probs (albeit with different cars.)

Jonts.

 

Jonty, thanks for the detailed response mate. Let me know how you get on and I will do likewise.

Will have to sort something out either way this week as I've been booked in for a rolling road group buy with the WR1 owners club for ages and dont' want to let people down.

Chris

 

Got the car looked at last night, appears to be nothing more than a split hose.........Phew!!!!

Jonty, how you getting on?

Chris

 

Hi Chris -- that's great news and hopefully it'll be just that. As for me, well, I was a little tight for time over the weekend but did replace the old rad cap with a new one and had a good bleeding session with the car in situ -- repeatedly opened the drain taps at the front and topped-up the filler at the rear, closed the taps, run for a few mins and then checked and topped-up again as necessary... until the level didn't drop and the expansion tank was at the 'full' mark.

Didn't get to go for a test run though -- this is key so that a) any pockets of air will get budged ready for another bleed session and b) I can see if the cap's been the solution. I'll probs have to wait until next w/end now though. I've recently added some Forte radiator leak solution and with no visible leaks or drop in performance, I'm really hoping it'll be a simple one for me too.

Jonts.

 

Good luck matey

 

Hi Chris

Here's hoping it is something like a split hose

Shaun

PS Jonty....I just wondered what MR2 you have ?? I've got a 1987 MK1 AW11 in the garage with 75K miles on the clock taxed, tested and insured !!! Once rolling and in the dry would give my Scooby a serious chase !!! Any of your MR2 mates want to make me an offer as baby Dominic arrived 5 weks ago and I think my summer toy has to go !!

 

Hi Shaun. I've got a Rev2 Turbo, as well as his and hers Imprezas . If you're looking to sell the MkI (I'll be doing the same with my MkII when it's fixed), then perhaps have a sniff around IMOC-UK (http://www.imoc.co.uk) and post an advert.

Regards,

Jonts.