I made what should have been a 20-minute drive on the M32 into Bristol yesterday but with bumper to bumper traffic, it took 1 and a 1/2 hours! Nearly there, we were shocked to see steam coming through the bonnet and the temperature indicator had gone up! All heaters had been blowing all the way. Parked up on the hard shoulder and let everything cool down. The coolant was bubbling like a kettle. Slowly got the cap off to let it cool down. Topped up from Min level to Max level with very cold water and waited 10 minutes. Nobody was going anywhere anyway!

Got back in, temperature gauge normal, and only just made it 15 minutes later to the the car park when it started again. Parked up and left it to cool down.

On returning to the car after 3 hours, ALL coolant had drained away with big puddle underneath. Filled up again and made the journey home smoothly in 20 minutes. Have been out today on 2 shortish trips and both coolant level and temperature OK.

Had new water pump and cam belt fitted last new year. What could this be?

KEither cooling fans not working
Thermostat faulty
Cracked coolant header tank
Faulty cap
Or

Head Gasket Failure

Where are you?

I once had the same prob with a rad, it only leaked when very hot, never when cold (as in short runs) good luck.

Thanks for the replies. I'm in Yate, BS37.

If it's a head gasket, surely that's the end of that engine?

AA99 said:

Thanks for the replies. I'm in Yate, BS37.

If it's a head gasket, surely that's the end of that engine?

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If you paid little money for it then throw car away, if you want to keep it far better to read up on K series and decide whether you want to strip and if not terminal repair it.

You really do not want to buy used engine with 30 day warranty as k series notorious

Thanks for the reply. It's 12 years old now but I've had it 10 years and long time paid off. However, I've only just clocked 65k on it and I love it!!!!!
To be honest, as a woman, I just need a reliable diagnosis and then make an informed decision without being ripped off

Have just read through some of the other threads and have realised I often have a wet passenger-side mat and the heating controls are a bit wonky!!!! Also the fan makes a heck of a funny noise on No.1 position. Could this be involved?!

AA99 said:

Thanks for the reply. It's 12 years old now but I've had it 10 years and long time paid off. However, I've only just clocked 65k on it and I love it!!!!!
To be honest, as a woman, I just need a reliable diagnosis and then make an informed decision without being ripped off

Click to expand...

AA99 said:

Have just read through some of the other threads and have realised I often have a wet passenger-side mat and the heating controls are a bit wonky!!!! Also the fan makes a heck of a funny noise on No.1 position. Could this be involved?!

Click to expand...

The interior heater matrix could be leaking, this will be obvious of your coolant has leaked as antifreeze smells sweet and water doesn't.

Your 1.8 is slightly different to most engines that have basically cylinders bored in block of metal.

The head bolts are a lot longer than traditional bolts and screw into rail in sump.
The cylinders are liners that sit very slightly higher than block.

If you managed 65k then provided liners are correct height and not loose and head gasket hasn't damaged head (known issue)

Then it should be fixable.

I normally give people a phone call and chat about issues, I'm not into chatting up forum members- if you want to talk about your engine issue pm me a number and times it's okay to call.