No Power... Loud fan...

[ashley101]

Hello everyone!

I took the car out for a drive yesterday and...everything was brilliant! Back to normal! The engine light flashed up for a second when I first switched it on, but I was able to take several 20-30 minute drives without ever seeing it again. And the fuel temperature stuck at between 88-90 throughout most of the trips. It went up to 100 during standing traffic at one point (so I definitely need to get that fan sorted), but it was soon back down to the right level once I started moving.

I went out to the car later in the day and the coolant needed topping up again (maybe another 200-300ml). I immediately thought that was proof of a leak, but I hadn't seen any signs of the new fluid leaking on the driveway at any point. But maybe it was only lost under pressure? Anyway: my dad was over when I noticed the lowered level and he suggested that it didn't necessarily mean a leak... The fact that the level had gone down again could mean that there was an air lock or some much... He suggested topping it up again, running the car for a while, and then checking again. Maybe doing this several times if necessary. He's not a car expert by any means, but I'm giving it a go. I'll be back home in about half an hour so will check if it's worked!

Does anyone have any idea on what could have caused the coolant leak to such a great degree? I don't know what level the coolant was at when I got the car back in March (stupid I know), but I never had any problems with running before this last incident. And that only happened when the car had been standing for about two months. Could it have evaporated/air got into the system/something like that?

I'm interested to read Jules' post about coolant loss maybe being because of a lack of fan operation. Could someone clarify how a lack of a working fan would cause coolant loss? In any case, it's another good reason to get the fan sorted! If the fan isn't the main culprit, how would I go about identifying and remedying a coolant leak?

I have next week off so will try to order a fan and fit it then. I'm a mechanics novice but I'm encouraged by the how-to posts and the support here, so hopefully it won't be too difficult to put right. (Tell me if this is likely to be a mistake!! )

But in relation to this thread: my car now works again and my panic is over. I still need some advice on establishing the cause of the coolant leak and how to (perhaps) remedy that, but all in all... THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!!

[SD1too]

Originally Posted by ashley101

Could someone clarify how a lack of a working fan would cause coolant loss?

You reported that your temperature gauge once reached the ten o'clock position. That represents a coolant temperature in excess of 115 degrees. In such circumstances the pressure generated can easily operate the safety valve in the expansion tank cap. This allows the system to vent which inevitably results in coolant being ejected. It then evaporates leaving little trace. You then think that you have a leak.

Get that fan fixed!

Simon

[COLVERT]

As post above.

If you get caught in traffic before the fan is fixed turn the cabin heater to max at full blast. Might get a bit hot in the car but will really help your engine to cool down.

Colvert