Poss overheating?

[R1-Jay 0]

When the C runs for a while, it smells rather musty around the bonnet, like the cooling system needs a good flush through. However, if its at running temperature, the fan kicks in and the temp goes high, but does not flash the red light on the dash. If i turn the engine off and even after 5 mins, unscrew the plastic cap on the overfill bottle, the water bubbles up and wants to overflow.

 

Does this sound like a knackered thermostat or is it normal?

 

its a 90 1.8 16v.

 

Doesn't do this on the mk3 golf!

[veeDuB_Rado 0]

Well I was coming back from B'ham today and mine was doing the exact same, but it was flashing tho.

[ZippyVR6 0]

Same as on mine.

Is it the auxillary water pump shoving water round and keeping the pressure high?

[Henny 0]

ZippyVR6, 16Vs don't have an aux water pump... ;)

 

R1-Jay, What sort of temps are you reading on the gauge and the MFA for water and oil temps. The early valvers DO run fairly warm, and the bubbling up when you open the expansion tank isn't always a bad sign - water boils at a higher temp when under pressure, when you open the tank you're releasing the pressure suddenly which causes the boiling point to drop suddenly letting the water boil over... ;)

 

Post up your running temps so we can see if they're over the top or not... 8)

[R1-Jay 0]

thanks, i'll start the car up later on and let you know

[R1-Jay 0]

think all is ok, took it out for 10 miles, oil temp stayed at 102-106 degrees and the radiator fan was running when i pulled up and the needle was on the 100c line

 

no flashing light on the dash, so i think i was worrying for no reason, just that i want the car to be as safe as poss for the mrs

[Henny 0]

can't fault that reasoning R1-Jay, 8) I'd always err on the side of safety/precaution too, especially when it's got anything to do with my missus... 8)

[belfastfumanchu 0]

If you're driving straight without sitting about in traffic jams/lights etc the temp should be a steady 90. If it's not you maybe need to give the system a flush with nice new coolant. Could be really old stuff you got in there.

[dlmb500 0]

bonjour

 

i have had overheating problems with 2.0 16 v 93 model since end June and starting to lose my near legendary patience. I've had it at VW specialists who have replaced coolant, checked (nearly-new) radiator, and that's not the case. I'm having it checked out yet again on Monday and don't want to spend yet another limbs-worth of cash. Please assist. Thanks :?

 

measuring 110 on oil, 109 on water, and the coolant bulb has just started flashing again. This is after 10 mins of non-town traffic.

[Henny 0]

'lo dlmb500, Welcome to The Forum,

 

Flashing coolant bulb just means that you're low on coolant, not that you're overheating...

 

A quick check list:

 

1) Check that the fans are coming on properly on all speeds and are getting at least 12V when they're on - The copper wires often oxidise meaning you don't get full power to the fan so it doesn't spin as fast as it should.

2) Check the temp of the bottom radiator hose compared with the top one once the car's up to temperature. If the bottom one is cold and the top one is hot, the thermostat is not working properly.

3) Check for water leaks - Even the smallest leak will cause the temps to rise as the system is designed to be sealed and therfore pressurised. Lose the seal, and the water will boil at a much lower temp than with it sealed and pressurised causing over heating

4) Check the temp gauge - They're not exactly the most accurate of things! Are you 100% sure you're actually got overheating problems? Water temp should be between 90 and 110 and oil temps should be similar on just about all Corrados. Much over those and there may be a problem, otherwise, it's about right...

 

Good luck!

[dlmb500 0]

quick reply! thanks very much, i'll check it out, and report my findings.

[dlmb500 0]

aye, it was a water leak and a few other things contributing. Cold weather has also helped bring temp down. Vw specialists said gauges were +10 deg inaccurate so all's now good.

 

now to move on to the bodywork....

[Henny 0]

8)