Author Topic: Uh oh, what have I done? (overheated)  (Read 5352 times)

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Offline Deanodriver

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Uh oh, what have I done? (overheated)
« on: Sep 22, 2005, 03:44AM »
Quite simply, I was driving along today, and noticed steam coming out of the bonnet. I pulled over at a servo, put a couple of litres of water in the overflow bottle (I thought it'd be better than nothing, and I wasn't game to open the radiator cap). I managed to get about another kilometre before it stopped, with more steam coming from the bonnet (mainly around engine), and wouldn't start again (turn key, nothing)

I identified the culprit (heater hose), and replaced it, and added more water, but now it's not driving all that well. It won't start without touching the accelerator (just won't kick over properly, and it's R31 Pintara GXE auto), and it's a little bit rough.

Also, it sometimes randomly loses power for a few seconds at a time (which it was doing a bit beforehand, as well, i put the foot down a bit harder, and it stops in a few seconds), although apparently the injectors are a bit blocked, so that could be the cause of that. On top of that, after a short trip tonight (7km, mostly at 100km/h), I got back home and could hear excessive bubbling from around the overflow bottle.

I'm just wondering if I've maybe blown something (like a head/head gasket)? I'm thinking about flushing out the cooling system and putting new coolant in tomorrow, but I'm just wondering if anyone has any other ideas?

Thanks a lot in advance,

-- Dean
Former Pintara owner, now driving a Pug!

Offline Jayz

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Re: Uh oh, what have I done? (overheated)
« Reply #1 on: Sep 22, 2005, 09:14AM »
Was the overflow bubbling after you turned it off? I had the same problem with my Z32, i had to purge the cooling system several times to remove all the air.

It could also be boiling water in the overflow, when this happened i replaced the thermostat and flushed the whole system and was as right as rain.

Good luck

Offline Jono

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Re: Uh oh, what have I done? (overheated)
« Reply #2 on: Sep 22, 2005, 01:00PM »
Did you put coolant in after you replaced the hose, or just water?

You need coolant to stop it boiling.
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Offline Deanodriver

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Re: Uh oh, what have I done? (overheated)
« Reply #3 on: Sep 22, 2005, 01:16PM »
Just water, but I'm going to replace it with coolant today (got a bottle of it here, the concentrated stuff).

I'm going to have a look, and see what I can do today.
Former Pintara owner, now driving a Pug!

Offline Milford

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Re: Uh oh, what have I done? (overheated)
« Reply #4 on: Sep 22, 2005, 05:49PM »
its a long shot, but check your radiator cap, if the rubber seal on that is stuffed, its causing your problems

Offline KNG P1N

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Re: Uh oh, what have I done? (overheated)
« Reply #5 on: Sep 23, 2005, 09:17AM »
coolant and a new thermostat will do the trick. its def the thermostat that makes it hard to start
And there's not much I can say
But we miss you every day
And I'm bitter 'cause it's unfair
We'll be drinkin' in the sun
Playing music having fun
Cause one day I'll see you there
R.I.P, M.M 1984 - 2005


Offline Deanodriver

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Re: Uh oh, what have I done? (overheated)
« Reply #6 on: Oct 3, 2005, 10:36AM »
Well, I've found out the problem (had mechanic look at it). Head gasket or head :(

Looks like it's time for another car, not worth spending the money on this one.

Any ideas on cheap fixes to hold it together until I can find a replacement?
Former Pintara owner, now driving a Pug!

Offline Jono

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Re: Uh oh, what have I done? (overheated)
« Reply #7 on: Oct 3, 2005, 10:39AM »
Chemiweld?  ::)
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Offline KNG P1N

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Re: Uh oh, what have I done? (overheated)
« Reply #8 on: Oct 3, 2005, 11:05AM »
remove whole engine, ca18de or det
And there's not much I can say
But we miss you every day
And I'm bitter 'cause it's unfair
We'll be drinkin' in the sun
Playing music having fun
Cause one day I'll see you there
R.I.P, M.M 1984 - 2005


Offline Jecks

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Re: Uh oh, what have I done? (overheated)
« Reply #9 on: Oct 3, 2005, 11:11AM »
U12 TRX??
I'm sick of my knob going all floppy and loose in my hand  :P 
I've been on probation for 21 years, can't make a decision without consulting the wife first  ::)

Offline Deanodriver

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Re: Uh oh, what have I done? (overheated)
« Reply #10 on: Oct 3, 2005, 11:47AM »
Not worth putting a CA18DE in (the rest of the car is kinda banged up, and it has 347000 on the clock, plus I want more low end torque).

I'm thinking either another R31 (Skyline though), or E series Falcon. We'll see, though.
Former Pintara owner, now driving a Pug!

Offline KNG P1N

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Re: Uh oh, what have I done? (overheated)
« Reply #11 on: Oct 3, 2005, 01:15PM »
skyline is a good option, cuz i like the look
the eb falcon i find are a great car, but they are hard to find in manual and fuel is very $$$
And there's not much I can say
But we miss you every day
And I'm bitter 'cause it's unfair
We'll be drinkin' in the sun
Playing music having fun
Cause one day I'll see you there
R.I.P, M.M 1984 - 2005


Offline Deanodriver

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Re: Uh oh, what have I done? (overheated)
« Reply #12 on: Oct 3, 2005, 02:38PM »
Well, I want something that's got plenty of low end torque, I don't mind if it's auto, and I don't want a small car, so a big six is the best option for me. I do lots of highway driving, so I want something that's good on the highway.

We'll see though, depends on $$$
Former Pintara owner, now driving a Pug!

Offline wombat

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Re: Uh oh, what have I done? (overheated)
« Reply #13 on: Oct 3, 2005, 06:50PM »
any falcon with a 3.anything engine, walk away. The 3.2 wouldn't pull the skin off a bowl of custard, and the 3.9's cracked heads.

Try and get an EBII or later. They're about when Ford got their act back together.
I'm so far behind at work, I'm almost retro!

Offline Deanodriver

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Re: Uh oh, what have I done? (overheated)
« Reply #14 on: Dec 16, 2005, 10:29PM »
It's still running, 5000km on.

However, sometimes when i'm giving it light acceleration, it acts like it's going to die, and it's been going through the petrol pretty quickly lately (12L/100km, i normally get about 10.5).

Oh well, hopefully I'll be able to replace it by March, and if it all goes well, EF2-EL Fairmont Ghia :)
Former Pintara owner, now driving a Pug!

Offline wombat

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Re: Uh oh, what have I done? (overheated)
« Reply #15 on: Dec 16, 2005, 10:48PM »
They're a bulletproof old rocket the R31's hey!
I'm so far behind at work, I'm almost retro!