OVERHEATING PROBLEM :( Options

[LEON556677]

Hi all, only had my car 3 weeks, was out today when steam started coming out of the left side of the bonnet and the temp went to the red. it leaked a bit of water as well. I noticed during this that neither of the fans came on. The car starts and runs fine but the temp just goes sky high even on tickover with no fan action.

We're gonna have a proper look in the daylight tomorrow but for now has anyone else experienced this? Maybe thermostat? Hopefully not headgasket?

I'm an absolute car novice so any help's appreciated.

Leon

This post has been edited by LEON556677: Nov 14, 2008 - 12:38 PM

[Titiko]

if fans never came on first you have to check fans relay.

[k-weaver]

if fans never came on first you have to check fans relay.

Agreed

However, most of the time there is no need for the fan so IMO there is an issue elsewhere aswell. Also, I believe one of the fans only comes on when using the AC?

I would check your coolant level, make sure there is enough in there. Also, check the color. After I had my car for about six months the color was brown, as if it was dirty. I too had the issue with the overheating and my fan didn't come on either. I took it to a shop to get my coolant flushed, the guy told me it was so backed up he had to do it twice. Also, he found the issue with the fan, it wasn't plugged in....Haven't had a problem since

[Ugglan]

I agree with the previous persons. Check is the fans work by plugging them in to a 12V source (battery!) only one of them is fot the engine cooling, the other one is for the AC (takes 5-10min).

Check the coolant, it should never be brown or any other color except for what ever color the new colant is (here in sweden it's blue/greenish because of the glycol). (takes 2min)

If you suspect the termostat, take it out, boil it in water with an thermometer in so you can check when the thermostat opens. (takes a little bit longer )

Start with those small things so that you know if the water flows and if it gets cold. Then let us know how it goes!

[Titiko]

after checking both fans with a battery and they are ok you will have to check if the engine fan starts by itself in order to be sure about the relay, the other fans only come on when A/C is operating, so if you turn on your A/C both fans should be operating.

let us know how it goes