I have a 2005 Renault Espace. I noticed when i was on the motorway that the car would begin to overheat. i pulled over and loosened the radiator cap. That seemed to release pressure in the system and then magically the car woudl run fine again on the motorway.

I brought the car into the dealer and asked them to perform a pressure test. The car failed and they said the 'Engine is Broke'. The hard part is i am in Luxembourg and English is not prevelant and i cannot seem to get a good explanation. All anyone is willing to tell me is that my engine is broken and i need to replace the engine.

Here are my questions:

1. Can i continue to drive the car (making sure the coolant and oil is in good shape)? it woudl seem to me i can. I will watch the temp guage to make sure it doesn't overheat.

2. if we cannot use the car, should i replace the engine or is it worth replacing the head gaskets or liner? In reading many comments, it would seem to me that i have either a cracked gasket or defective liner.

Here is an explanation from another post what it sounds like i need to have done.

Thank you in advance for any advice you can provide.

Just for your info.

My vehicle started having similar problems at roughly the same mileage, the radiator, header tank and even the water pump were replaced but this did not solve the problem. Eventually we realised that the cooling system was pressurising excessively and venting water through the header tank cap suggesting a leaking head gasket. The engine was again removed, the head gaskets replaced ( and sealed with a spray on head gasket sealer used in race cars ).

The vehicle is transformed now, no overheating or water loss at all.