Technical Cinqu overheating suddenly

[RichardBradford]

Hi,

Our 1.1 1998 Cinqa has run perfectly until today. At 6pm it was fine - driving it again at 9pm it suddenly began to overheat.

Heat still comes from the heater but when pulled over, with needle kissing the red, and squeaking with pressure coming from the water filler cap, found the radiator cool but all the pipes I could find in the dusk were hot.

Managed to get home after letting it cool for an hour and then by keeping the revs above 3000rpm to maximise water flow into the heater matrix, fan on full blast, but even then it was a losing battle.

Guessing something like water pump or thermostat. Anyone any ideas or experience. Strange how it happened all of a sudden - makes me suspect the thermostat.

HELP!!!!!!!!

Thanks,

Richard

 

[custard]

yup could be the stat
easy job to remove and test if its opening in a pan of boiling water

 

[RichardBradford]

yup could be the stat
easy job to remove and test if its opening in a pan of boiling water

Could it also be just an airlock if the coolant ran low?

 

[custard]

Could it also be just an airlock if the coolant ran low?

well that depends on whether you let it run low
if its been keeping temps fone before then either options possible.
if in any doubt you really need to flly bleed the system

 

[fingers99]

Could be, but why did the coolant run low?

Check the thermostat. If OK, re-fill and bleed the system, run the engine, check for leaks (if it's the water pump it will leak from the bottom of the pump), get back with the results.

 

[RichardBradford]

Could be, but why did the coolant run low?

Check the thermostat. If OK, re-fill and bleed the system, run the engine, check for leaks (if it's the water pump it will leak from the bottom of the pump), get back with the results.

Mine only leaks from the top of the expansion tank, due to the extreme pressure. Is bleeding the system so easy? Any checks before?

 

[fingers99]

Bleeding easy! One bleed screw behind OS headlamp, one near the heater hose. Important as, if your water has got that low, you'll have a fair bit of air in the system.

 

[RichardBradford]

yup could be the stat
easy job to remove and test if its opening in a pan of boiling water

Hi,

got new thermostat for £15 and put it in. Then tested the old one in a pan of boiling water and it didn't open so problem found. Tried to find air bleed valves without success but hopefully won't be necessary. Hopefully....

Thanks for help peeps!

 

[rallycinq]

STOP. Find the bleed valves, its important.

Cheers

D