14 replies to this topic

[elwill]

Howdy. Looking for some advice on the radiator and the cooling system on my VXT. Currently using the car every day for commuting. Got stuck in some traffic and noticed the red water light flick on, then off. This became more frequent, so I topped it up with water, problem solved. It has now started doing it again, only about a week later. It comes on when stood still, then goes when I move off. The level of coolant looks to be at the level of the seam in the tank. The car is running at a steady 86-87 degrees. In heavy traffic it will go up after a spell to 97, when the fan kicks in and brings it down. I have noticed, only when in heavy traffic, some heat haze coming from the front bay, same as what comes off the back bay. It doesn't look like true steam in the sense that there is nothing visible, just the standard heat haze distortion effect (crap description I know). Otherwise everything is peachy. It still has the original radiator, so I know that will need replacing at some stage, but it is obviously not a job I want to rush into doing as I will have to pay someone to do it for me. That said I can't even stand to think about the possibility of being stuck on the roadside in a puddle of coolant. Should I be worried? Anything I should look for? As always, much help appreciated...

[The Batman]

Sounds like the bleed nipple behind the pax headlight could be leaking... Make sure is tight and possibly even put a jubilee clip round it tight to make sure it is sealing properly if this doesn't solve it then look for faint pink marks around the plastic end caps... Could be worthwhile changing the bleed nipple pipe and radiator... Where abouts are you?

[elwill]

Chelmsford in Essex. So you reckon as long as I keep the coolant topped up for now it should be ok to drive? I'll take a look later this morning for any leaks. Cheers.

[siztenboots]

have a sniff around the front rad when its running, if there is a leak there is a telltale curry smell

[elwill]

Hmm I had curry last night. My nose might be impaired...

[garyk220]

I'd say the heat haze from the front is normal when the air temperature is higher. It is amazing how much heat comes out of the front vents when the weather gets warmer. Start with the easy things forst and check your coolant expansion bottle. UV light attacks this and the first signs of it failing are usually hairline cracks around the neck where the small top hose connects. A new one is about £18 from any Vauxhall dealer if it does look on it's way out. The VXT radiator is an uprated and thicker item compared with the NA one and less prone to failure. I'm still on the original one in a 2003 car. If you are seeing or smelling obvious signs of coolant loss from the front bay, then as Joe said, check the bleed nipple on the passenger side hose first. If that is fine then move on to check the radiator. There have been a fair number of cooling system failures but it is more durable than sometimes presented by the chat on forums. I did a hillclimb practice day and saw the water temperature peak at 114 degrees late in the afternoon and it was well into the 100's for a few hours without problems.

[elwill]

Cheers that's great, has put my mind largely at rest. The coolant tank is certainly on it's way out, it has hair line cracks but looks intact. I'm waiting to get a cover before changing the tank. I'll check the bleed nipple.

[VXTyrant]

Exactly the same situation as I had which I too noticed on the morning commute. Also had the coolant light coming on and switching off depending on whether you were moving or not. Took it to me mates garage and put a small amount of pressure through the system to find the leak and sure enough it was the crappy plastic end caps of the standard rad. Had to replace it. Awful job but luckily I had good help (redvts an my mechanic mate). Good luck but best to get it sorted asap

[elwill]

Yeah it's fine now I've topped up the water again, question is for how long. Checked the bleed points front and rear, front was tight, rear was pretty tight, have tightened further now. Can't smell or see anything at the front. Only thing I did notice is that when I stopped after a fairly short drive, but long enough to get engine up to proper temp, I went to look at the engine and noticed that the coolant tank looked like it had coolant bubbling back into it through the top, cabin facing pipe. It was definitely fluid not water, and none seemed to be escaping. Not sure if it's just part of the cooling down or signs of more of a problem.

[ferg]

Only thing I did notice is that when I stopped after a fairly short drive, but long enough to get engine up to proper temp, I went to look at the engine and noticed that the coolant tank looked like it had coolant bubbling back into it through the top, cabin facing pipe. It was definitely fluid not water, and none seemed to be escaping. Not sure if it's just part of the cooling down or signs of more of a problem.

I don't think that's normal. I've seen that in mine, but only while bleeding the system. Of course at might be the only time I've ever looked at the engine while it's running... but I don't think so.

If you're sure there are no leaks, you might try loosening the bleed screws to see if there's air in there. And if the expansion tank looks a bit iffy, then don't wait for the sunshade - just change it. It's a pretty straightforward job.

[elwill]

Only thing I did notice is that when I stopped after a fairly short drive, but long enough to get engine up to proper temp, I went to look at the engine and noticed that the coolant tank looked like it had coolant bubbling back into it through the top, cabin facing pipe. It was definitely fluid not water, and none seemed to be escaping. Not sure if it's just part of the cooling down or signs of more of a problem.

I don't think that's normal. I've seen that in mine, but only while bleeding the system. Of course at might be the only time I've ever looked at the engine while it's running... but I don't think so.

If you're sure there are no leaks, you might try loosening the bleed screws to see if there's air in there. And if the expansion tank looks a bit iffy, then don't wait for the sunshade - just change it. It's a pretty straightforward job.

Cheers, in the process of getting the tank now. Can't see any cracks and looks nowhere near as bad as some of the ones I've seen on here. But will definitely get replaced.

Thing is it's running fine, and after a slightly larger amount of water went in, it's been absolutely great, no lights no nothing.

I reckon it's probably ok, but I'm going to look into getting it pressure tested.

Swamped with problems at the mo: engine mounts, MAF, lambdas, coolant tank, leaky seals...

[Andrew aka Stuwy]

i had a leak and lost about a pint every 2 weeks, i was stressin out because i have the alloy rad.. then just found a jub-clip not done up very well (lose) so i did it up and its been fine ever since

[Pidgeon]

Swamped with problems at the mo: engine mounts, MAF, lambdas, coolant tank, leaky seals...

Those aren't problems - they're characteristics!

Your header tank sounds fine. The return pipe from the turbo runs constantly and squirts coolant across the upper inside of the tank. A failed tank is obvious, the coolant bubbles out of the failed plastic.

[JimmyJamJerusalem]

If you think you might have a leak get a torch and look in through the front grille and see if there are sighns that coolant has dripped down into this area.

[elwill]

Swamped with problems at the mo: engine mounts, MAF, lambdas, coolant tank, leaky seals...

Those aren't problems - they're characteristics!

Your header tank sounds fine. The return pipe from the turbo runs constantly and squirts coolant across the upper inside of the tank. A failed tank is obvious, the coolant bubbles out of the failed plastic.

Yeah I know I should expect them! I am happy (and prepared) to spend money on the car, and don't mind these kind of small problems, just kind of thought I would get a longer teething period!

Glad it sounds fine. It's still going though...

If you think you might have a leak get a torch and look in through the front grille and see if there are sighns that coolant has dripped down into this area.

Have done, couldn't see anything. I think it's just using coolant at a fairly normal rate, I was just underestimating the milage I was doing, and was being stingy topping up, as it's still fine.

May think about doing the alloy rad at some point. Roadside catastrophic radiator failure sounds like no fun at all.