Engine temperate light

[Reecem]

Engine temperature light

Hi, first off, im a complete novice, now nothing about cars really, but i'm willing to learn.

Just bought my first car at the weekend, insured and felt top of the world, until earlier my little red warning light came on.

Do i just need to change the engine coolant?

If so, is it possible to do the old fashioned way, suck with a straw and spit it out, or do i need to take off the tube which connects it and let it all drain out? If thats even possible without it going to a garage.

Cars a 1995 punto, thanks for any help.


Reece

 

[TONY55S]

Re: Engine temperature light

Hi, first off, im a complete novice, now nothing about cars really, but i'm willing to learn.

Just bought my first car at the weekend, insured and felt top of the world, until earlier my little red warning light came on.

Do i just need to change the engine coolant?

If so, is it possible to do the old fashioned way, suck with a straw and spit it out, or do i need to take off the tube which connects it and let it all drain out? If thats even possible without it going to a garage.

Cars a 1995 punto, thanks for any help.mm

hi,you have an overheating problem,it could be anything from a faulty thermostat,cheap to fix 30 pounds,to serious problem like ead gasket blown,
its simple to change the coolant,but wouldnt say thats ur problem,the best advice i can give you is to take ur car to ur nearest garage and get it checked out professionally and see whats the real problem.
tony
Reece

ghtfrr

 

[s130]

Re: Engine temperature light

Do i just need to change the engine coolant?

If so, is it possible to do the old fashioned way, suck with a straw and spit it out, or do i need to take off the tube which connects it and let it all drain out? If thats even possible without it going to a garage.
Reece

DON'T suck with a straw. Highly dangerous/poisonus!!!!

No initial need to change the fluid UNLESS there is a massive airlock, lack of fluid or other blockages (like a stuck themostat).

You can test the thermostat yourself quite easily.

Start engine from cold. Let it idle on the drive. Hold top and bottom radiator hoses. Over time one will slowly warm up but the other will remain cool. Eventually (could take 10+ minutes) the cooler hose will suddenly warm up as the thermostat opens.

If the cooler hose remains that way, then try reving the engine and see if it still remains cool. If it does then probably a stuck/broken thermostat. If there is a modest increase in temperature then you may have an airlock that needs to be removed.