1.1 saxo overheating - Saxperience

Dave2254 · 8th May 2016, 21:27

Hi everyone,
Ive got a 2002 1.1 saxo which is overheating. If im driving with the heaters off the coolent rises quickly and starts leaking from under the rad cap but with the heaters on it takes longer to start overheat. I've opened all the bleen valves filling with coolant (while squeezing both rad pipes) until coolant comes out of all three the done then up started the engine and continued filling until the expanction is full so its not an air lock.

Secondly ive replaced the thermostat as thought that could be stuck closed and lastly the heater matrix isnt leaking at all. No oil mixing with water so wouldnt say its the head gasket.

So the coolent just rises and starts leaking from under the cap after about 5mins of driving from cold.

Does anyone have any other ideas i could try?

konark · 9th May 2016, 02:44

Are you overfilling it?, it only needs to come halfway up the filler pipe on the radiator, between 6 and 12 inches below the cap level and it's difficult to get the water out of the filler neck when you've finished filling it.

After the initial expansion water won't continue to come out of the filler cap as there won't be enough water in the system.

Spendyrx · 9th May 2016, 08:50

Sounds like a hgf to me but...... Maybe try just replacing the rad cap first! Think mine was about 5 quid on eBay or get one from scraps, they may just say take it!
Only other thing I could suggest would be to flush it all and refill it

Dave2254 · 9th May 2016, 09:50

Thanks for your replys :-) im not overfilling i never fill it all the way up, my dad thought it could be the water pump? Will try flushing it later today see how far i get

Manu · 9th May 2016, 10:02

when was the cambelt / water pump last done?

Dave2254 · 9th May 2016, 10:13

I dnt have a clue i only brought it 3 weeks ago!

Dave2254 · 9th May 2016, 12:04

Just a quick update, I've flushed the cooling system and has made no difference also the bottom radiator hose has started getting really hot is this something to do with it?

Shadowslayerzz · 9th May 2016, 19:27

Sounds like the water pump is buggered, if the water isn't being circulated by the pump it will sit static in the plumbing until it heats up and eventually causes the water to boil, which is probably why the water is coming out the cap because the expansion of boiling water is pushing water out from the cap... I'd take the water pump off by the belts and test it whilst off the engine and see if it needs replacing

stevo67 · 9th May 2016, 19:39

Could also be the cooling system is being pressurised because of head gasket failure,mine did the same thing.

Dave2254 · 9th May 2016, 21:08

Thanks again guys my dad took the top hose off the rad and removed the rad cad cap then blew into the hose making all the coolent bubble in the expantion tank and the then put the cap and hose bk on this seems to of sorted it (fingers crossed!!) but will report back if further issues accor

Spendyrx · 10th May 2016, 12:27

Fingers crossed!
I thought maybe water pump but surely if the water pump wasn't functioning right it would cause the heaters to run cool right?

Dave2254 · 10th May 2016, 13:56

I been out today and all seems ok, the needle goes just above middle the heaters r blowing hot still but might get the water pump done just for peice of mind

Spendyrx · 10th May 2016, 15:14

May as well for the sake of 30 odd quid

Shadowslayerzz · 10th May 2016, 19:06

You'd of thought that spendyrx but if the pump isn't pulling any water then the heat won't be dispersed evenly and will boil I suppose

Dave2254 · 10th May 2016, 20:05

My local garage quoted £150 to have the water pump changed is this reasnable?

stevo67 · 10th May 2016, 21:57

Yes considering they'd have to replace the cambelt and tensioner at the same time.

Spendyrx · 12th May 2016, 20:22

Do you know it's 100% waterpump? Maybe worth getting a hydrocarbon dye test done first to see if the heads gone, it's gonna be cheaper than getting the water pump done! I know either way you're gonna end up replacing the waterpump but still its better than paying double the Labour charge of stripping heads/belts etc!
Not a bad price though for Labour and parts!

Alexa · 4th May 2019, 20:19

I have the same problem after changing head gasket,coolant is boiling fan works too short I suspect it could be the thermostat.Water pump has not be changed but I don't think it's causes this.

Any ideas?

aldred309uk · 5th May 2019, 23:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alexa

I have the same problem after changing head gasket,coolant is boiling fan works too short I suspect it could be the thermostat.Water pump has not be changed but I don't think it's causes this.

Any ideas?

Have you given the cooling system a good, thorough flush? I managed to get my hosepipe sealed to various parts of the cooking system and flushed through in both directions.

Also, did you bleed the system at all of the correct points?

dt_ · 18th May 2019, 10:15

Does sound like head gasket starting to fail. There are a few quick tests you can do:

After a drive, squeeze a few of the coolant hoses, are they rock hard?
Take off radiator cap (when cold) and have a sniff, can you smell petrol? Can you see tiny black flecks in the coolant (carbon deposits)
Leave rad cap off an run engine. If you are getting regular bubbling that's combustion gas escaping

I would try all these before going ahead with the water pump as the head will have to come off anyway and the pump and belts can be done as part of the same job