1.8T Overheat

Tom Collins · 22nd May 2007, 14:16

Travelling back from devon yesterday, stuck in the tailbacks on the M5. All of a sudden temp gauge on max, info centre flashing overheat. So I get to the hard shoulder asap and switch off. Still plenty off water in the car, but boiling over.
As we were only 500 yards from the exit, I decided to drive to it down the hard shoulder, thinking the airflow might cool it down until I got off the motorway. I started the engine, and the temp gauge shot up to max, but as soon as I started moving, it went down to normal.
We got off the motorway, but as many other people were doing the same, we were still crawling along. I watched the gauge all the time and it didn't move at all.
I ended up driving all the way home, about 150 miles or so, all seems ok, water level fine etc.
Would it be the fan not cutting in, and how would I test it, also would the dreaded head gasket have suffered?
Tom

baxlin · 22nd May 2007, 14:38

Sorry, don't know about the 1.8T, but on the diesel the radiator fan should be turning when the aircon's on. I think therefore that if you set the aircon to a low temp and started the car, the fan should come on, particularly if the car's hot inside.

Hopefully a petrolhead will be along shortly to confirm.

Malcolm

David3807 · 22nd May 2007, 16:34

Have a read of this one - should answer your questions.

http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...ead.php?t=1371

Your problem is likely to be fan not working. Its not usually needed for cooling in normal running but get stuck in a bit of traffic, temp soon rises and fan should cut in.

You could also do a search on the forum for other posts on 'Cooling fan' or 'fan'. Its a common problem so you should have plenty to read this evening.

Keith · 22nd May 2007, 16:36

Hopefully you had just overfilled it
I don't think you would have gone very far if a real problem had developed.

Tom Collins · 22nd May 2007, 17:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith

Hopefully you had just overfilled it
I don't think you would have gone very far if a real problem had developed.

I did put water in it on friday, could this happen if it was overfilled?
Just been to collect the kids, with air con on. When I arrived the fan was running, and when I got home too. With the engine idling, you could hear the fan running at top speed, then it seemed to go to the slower speed, but before I could tell properly, it speeded up again. At least it's working. I just need to see if the slow speed is working ok.

Thanks for the replies chaps
Tom

Keith · 22nd May 2007, 18:30

I over filled my 190 twice before realising the max mark really does mean max and it spat out what it did not want

You only have a two speed fan so that is working proper like!

empsburna · 22nd May 2007, 19:08

just check to make sure all the hoses get hard and hot (ooh err) (not sure how accesible they are on a 75/ZT

You may have introduced an air lock (but there would be other symptoms that go with it)

Lates · 22nd May 2007, 19:26

Nice of you to join in Emps

I could do with a detail if you are feeling keen

empsburna · 23rd May 2007, 14:28

I do lurk here and there, putting my paw up where reality checks are needed

I'm always up for a detailing session, just drop me a PM somewhere!

22nd May 2007, 14:16	#1
Tom Collins Posted a thing or two Mondeo 2.0 cdti Ghia Auto Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Leicester Posts: 1,731 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	1.8T Overheat Travelling back from devon yesterday, stuck in the tailbacks on the M5. All of a sudden temp gauge on max, info centre flashing overheat. So I get to the hard shoulder asap and switch off. Still plenty off water in the car, but boiling over. As we were only 500 yards from the exit, I decided to drive to it down the hard shoulder, thinking the airflow might cool it down until I got off the motorway. I started the engine, and the temp gauge shot up to max, but as soon as I started moving, it went down to normal. We got off the motorway, but as many other people were doing the same, we were still crawling along. I watched the gauge all the time and it didn't move at all. I ended up driving all the way home, about 150 miles or so, all seems ok, water level fine etc. Would it be the fan not cutting in, and how would I test it, also would the dreaded head gasket have suffered? Tom __________________ In vino veritas [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Does Magna Carta mean nothing to you? Did she die in vain?

22nd May 2007, 14:38	#2
baxlin This is my second home Volvo C70 Convertible and JZR 3 wheeler Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tring, Herts Posts: 3,960 Thanks: 124 Thanked 173 Times in 124 Posts	Sorry, don't know about the 1.8T, but on the diesel the radiator fan should be turning when the aircon's on. I think therefore that if you set the aircon to a low temp and started the car, the fan should come on, particularly if the car's hot inside. Hopefully a petrolhead will be along shortly to confirm. Malcolm

22nd May 2007, 16:34	#3
David3807 Posted a thing or two 2002 R75 Conn SE 2.5l Auto Tourer, 2001 R75 Conn SE 2.5 Auto Saloon Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Gravesend Posts: 1,897 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Have a read of this one - should answer your questions. http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...ead.php?t=1371 Your problem is likely to be fan not working. Its not usually needed for cooling in normal running but get stuck in a bit of traffic, temp soon rises and fan should cut in. You could also do a search on the forum for other posts on 'Cooling fan' or 'fan'. Its a common problem so you should have plenty to read this evening.

22nd May 2007, 16:36	#4
Keith This is my second home ZT400 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ellesmere Posts: 5,948 Thanks: 0 Thanked 43 Times in 29 Posts	Hopefully you had just overfilled it I don't think you would have gone very far if a real problem had developed.

22nd May 2007, 18:30	#6
Keith This is my second home ZT400 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ellesmere Posts: 5,948 Thanks: 0 Thanked 43 Times in 29 Posts	I over filled my 190 twice before realising the max mark really does mean max and it spat out what it did not want You only have a two speed fan so that is working proper like!

22nd May 2007, 19:08	#7
empsburna Gets stuck in Other Manufacturer Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Black Country Posts: 716 Thanks: 0 Thanked 28 Times in 3 Posts	just check to make sure all the hoses get hard and hot (ooh err) (not sure how accesible they are on a 75/ZT You may have introduced an air lock (but there would be other symptoms that go with it)

22nd May 2007, 19:26	#8
Lates This is my second home Jaguar XE Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Coventry Posts: 4,321 Thanks: 56 Thanked 59 Times in 55 Posts	Nice of you to join in Emps I could do with a detail if you are feeling keen

23rd May 2007, 14:28	#9
empsburna Gets stuck in Other Manufacturer Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Black Country Posts: 716 Thanks: 0 Thanked 28 Times in 3 Posts	I do lurk here and there, putting my paw up where reality checks are needed I'm always up for a detailing session, just drop me a PM somewhere!