I have an R-reg 1.2 Corsa Merit. When I was driving along the motorway last week, I noticed the enginer temperature was higher than I'd normally expect, but it was still below 100. I continued driving 30 miles to my destination (the temperature varied slightly, but never above 100) and parked for the day. that evening, I started to return home, but only got miles down the road when noticed the temperature gauge was in the red. I pulled over immediately and called the breakdown service.
The breakdown man spent almost an hour at my car, but could not find the cause of the problem.
The part of the engine containing the temperature transmitter was very hot (in the red) and the radiator was cold. He looked for blockages, but couldn't find any. He ddn't think it was the cylinder head gasket, but he could not be sure, so I was towed home.
My car has been in the garage all week (a small local garage that I have used for 4 years) and they have replaced the transmitter, sender unit, gauge and cylinder head gasket, yet the problem remains.
Could someone please advise me on my best course of action as I am finding I am getting quite stressed - from the length of time it's taking, the cost and havine to manage without a car? I'm not sure I'm getting the best work from the garage, who have always done a good job for me in the past and I'm concerned I may get unjustifiably angry with them.
What can the fault be? Might it be "terminal". How long should I reasonably expect the repair to take?
Many thanks.
|
Has the thermostat been checked, to make sure it opens as the coolant temperature goes up?
number_cruncher
|
I'm assuming there are 2 thermostats - one on the radiator and one on the engine. The temperature in the radiator is below the temperature at which it signals the fan to come on (therefore the fan does not go on - although it works). I am told the the thermostat in the engine works, although I don't know what it does.
|
The thermostat is a mechanical device, which uses wax to sense the temperature of the coolant, and via the expansion of the wax, open an integral valve, which allows the hot coolant to flow out of the top of the engine, into the radiator.
If you hold the top hose of a car which is started from cold, the top hose stay cold(ish) until the thermostat opens, then, you let go fairly quickly!
How was the thermostat checked? They aren't expensive, but, alas, not always easy and quick to change on Vauxhalls. I tend to fit a new one if the cylinder head has to come off - did your garage?
number_cruncher
|
|
Maybe a blocked heater or radiator matrix? When the engine is reading a high temperature is the heater air output very hot as well? May be a reverse flush of the radiator would be a good move. If the radiator contents have not been changed much there could be load of corrosion and sludge blocking things up. Good luck!
|
|
|
|
Only one.As NC explained..water temp sender for guage/ecu is on engine. radiator has thermal switch. so when it gets too hot or above limits radiator fan comes in.Thermostat is the only heating control engine has.So if any signs its gone wrong replace.They dont cost much and once done.. anymore probs is likely to be something else
--
Steve
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thermostat would be my first thought,otherwise may be an airlock.Suprised they would replace the head gasket,sender and guage,given that the rad was staying cold,and hence overheating the engine.I cannot see it being terminal,nor should it take more than a week to sort.
|
I would replace the thermostat first, years ago, this would be replaced after a few years anyway, and the designs haven't changed much. If the waterpump is cheap and easy, I would replace that too, if not, I'd try and acertain it was pumping, not sure of which pipe to check on this car, but usually there is a smaller bore return to the reservoir which should have coolant coming into the reservoir, and the flow should increse with rpm to a certain extent.
Also check to see if the interior heater blows hot air, as this will help indicate a healthy coolant flow If it does blow nice hot, air, leave it on full with the windows open and it may keep the temperature low wnough to test drive the car.
It does sound like a lack of coolant flow problem, the coolant is just a static jacket around the engine instead of being pumped to the radiator and cooled, so one must also suspect a blocked radiaor, replacement is the only option if that's the case, no additive will unblock it once it's totally blocked as there is no flow to carry the additive through.
|
>>the coolant is just a static jacket around the engine instead of being pumped to the radiator and cooled,
All the time the engine is running.. coolant is being pumped around block/cylinder head.It is not static
In this case it is possible the thermostat is opening late causing the slight overheating.But should be replaced before it causes any damage
--
Steve
|
|
Sorry for the poor grammar. :o(
|
I would consider getting the water pump replaced. We experienced similar problems with our 1.4 Astra and the garage kept telling us it was the thermostat .... which they would replace .... only for the car to overhead again on the way home.
It was only after the head gasket was replaced that we discovered the water pump wasnt working and looked like it had not been working for some time. If we had got it fixed in the first place it might have saved us a hell of a lot of money!!
|
|
|
|
![2019 Vauxhall Corsa 1.4 [75] Griffin 5dr](http://images.honestjohn.co.uk/imagecache/url/crop/90x60/https/cdn.uk.prod.group-mobility-trader.com/images/cas/011232f77f39c58aa61124a913f7930d/9228829344701811791456c6e37296c4.jpg)
