After just a few minutes of driving the other night, the engine coolant temp gauge started climbing and I got the whole "Radiator Fluid Temp...., Stop and Turn off" message on the dash with the needle twisted right round and the Red light on....

Had this last summer when the Thermostat needed replacing, so checked the reservoir level and there was plenty of coolant there, just below the max level.

Nursed the car home and noticed that once the message was displayed and the enginge fan kicked in for a few seconds, a SLURPING sound could be heard and the car would act a s if nothing had happened, needle returning to centre and no light on the dash,

First thoughts were to drain the coolant and replace as maybe this was an airlock of some sort... Using Andy Monty's excellent guide..

But problem remains,

Found that by taking the coolant reservoir cap off whilst "overheating" (standing well back,...) That the coolant would splurge as if something unblocks....and car would return to normal temp level....,

So my question for you guys and girls is where do I go now...,

Thermostat, waterpump, radiator.....? I'm not mechanically minded when it comes to engines so am at a dead end,....

Any help is appreciated, any links to past threads as I can't find any....any questions i'll answer sharply as I'm not going anywhere,.... Might start looking for a VW ...hahaha,

Okay, having still had no luck with this, am gonna start replacing parts that "may" be the cause,...

First stop is the Temp sensor itself...

Possibly MAP sensor too....

Hell even the Radiator if needs be....

Any thoughts.....?....

On a side note, found a nice MK 2 Golf for sale...

Map sensor has no influence on temperature, it's manifold air pressure.

I'd try coolant sensor, usually on thermostat and or on radiator.

Mine has sometimes come up with the excessive temp warning but its just a glitch, switch off ignition and restart and it's fine.

Check battery to see if its fully charged, and output of alternator

This sounds more mechanical fault than electronic........

If the water is errupting when the cap is removed DO NOT DRIVE IT until you find the reason...

Is the water pump working?

or the thermostat is stuck shut causing the car to over heat perhaps

Doesn't every car erupt if its hot and you remove reservoir cap??

matty seasider said:

Doesn't every car erupt if its hot and you remove reservoir cap??

Click to expand...

never really had a problem with it erupting unless its literally boiling (not that i would advocate doing it without a decent amount of PPE you usually just get a hiss)

Ah thanks for all input guys,..

Have ordered a coolant temperature sensor and new waterpump, gonna change the timing belt at the same time...

I read MAP sensor somewhere, but I'll rule that out.

This is definitely mechanical, battery and alternator are both running good.

Have a feeling that the internals of the water pump may have had it, even though it looks fine from the outside.

The cars not going anywhere for now.

And it literally looked like a geyser. I was as safe as I could be, as my younger brothers Polo did the same a year back and he scalded his arm.... Wasn't a pretty site.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND LETTING IT COOL FIRST.

Also, cold starts are fine....

the rake said:

Ah thanks for all input guys,..

Have ordered a coolant temperature sensor and new waterpump, gonna change the timing belt at the same time...

I read MAP sensor somewhere, but I'll rule that out.

This is definitely mechanical, battery and alternator are both running good.

Have a feeling that the internals of the water pump may have had it, even though it looks fine from the outside.

The cars not going anywhere for now.

And it literally looked like a geyser. I was as safe as I could be, as my younger brothers Polo did the same a year back and he scalded his arm.... Wasn't a pretty site.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND LETTING IT COOL FIRST.

Click to expand...

you are correct the MAP and Coolent sensor "talk" to the ECU and if one is on the blink you can get strange messages


Has there been sufficiant antifreeze in the car for the past few weeks when it was bloody cold for a week or so?

might as well replace the belt tensioner whilst your at it too




Ive seen someone do the cap off when boiling he scaled himself and water hit the factory roof 40+ foot up. (this was dispite me and another person yelling at him not to do it..... :bang: )

was this the thread?

https://www.fiatforum.com/grande-punto/314107-changing-temperature-sensors.html

Antifreeze was in the car, though prior to this I put in a good litre of just water to top it up....

Is it possible that the balance was thrown and it did freeze. Maybe inside the water pump... And then having the internal fan blade sheer off on start up....

i had this problem once after sitting in traffic, I'm planning on changing the water pump before Easter next year as quite frankly i don't trust the parts the garage i bought the car from used. rather do it myself and know its done right haha!

All booked to have the pump and belt changed first week in January. Fingers crossed that sorts it.
Until then, no car.... well I'm covered 3rd party on others...

Parts arrived today...

In the meantime this is my "courtesy" car.

courtesy of the younger brother....

Water pumps being changed this afternoon along with the belt etc.....

Will update later as to if this has corrected the overheating issue...

Fingers Crossed.

Ok, got the car back this morning, all running PERFECTLY.

Problem was indeed the water pump..



No more overheating issue and of course, I have my car back.......

Many thanks to all who inputted....

Hello mate,

Pleased to hear the problem is sorted and you have your car back.

Regards
Stephen