Update on my problem with overheating

[Paula]

Hi again,
Just thought I'd bring you all up to date with my little problem with Bravo overheating (thanks for all your tips and information btw). I picked it up from garage yesterday who had flushed the system, bled it and refilled it (at a charge of £45, I feel a bit ripped off but I guess that's how much these things cost). They tested it for 1 hour successfully so it looked as if the problem had been sorted. However, after driving it home from the garage (15 minutes with no traffic), it was seriously hot again! AARRGGHH!! So today it is back in the garage again, the guy seems to think it may now be more serious, but cannot see any obvious leaks. I am praying it is not the cylinder head gasket.
Is it possible that the airlock could still be hanging around somewhere? I am seriously worried about it now, I love my little bravo but it is driving me insane.
The main problem is I am planning to go on holiday (driving) to France tomorrow, and I am very concerned about taking it like this in case it happens again. I do have breakdown cover though so if the worst comes to the worst they will sort out a hire car for me.
Anyway guys please keep your fingers crossed for me....

Paula

 

[Ozric-Al]

Did the water level go down again (i.e. was there less water in the expansion tank?).

Shabash!

Now partying with Yul Brynner
http://www.geocities.com/ozrictentacles_web/

 

[Tom]

If it was the gasket it would have overheated pretty quickly.

My guess is its either:
1) electrical fault
2) blocked rad
3) cracked block/head

 

[Paula]

update

The garage have just called. Apparently he has now found a very small leak - there was a tiny hole in the thermostat housing, which is a plastic unit, upon trying to take off the housing it broke further. He thinks that this is the cause of the problem now, and has ordered a new housing, which hopefully will arrive by 3pm this afternoon. He is then going to check the cylinder head gasket to make 100% sure that it is OK - I am glad about this because I really don't want to drive all the way to France in a car I am unsure of.
Thanks for your advice guys you are keeping me sane!
Paula (still keeping fingers crossed)

 

[Nikshaw]

I've had this one with my previous Brava!

Set off to go lotherton Hall one day, and needle was in the red before I even got out of york. Guilty of complacency after I had a dickie temp gauge on my previous Ford, I ignored it until it started stalling and finally refused to budge any further, just metres short of the entrance to my destination.

The long and short of it is, something had blocked the flow of water (somewhere in the rad cooling system I guess). Combined with my complete disregard for the health of my Brava, this led to a meltdown of unbelievable proportion. The mechanic said he had never seen anything like it and that he couldn't figure how the car hadn't just blown up! (I guess for all my complete recklessness - I owed my Brava much more respect for having saved my life, inspite of my actions!)

It took them 5 re-builds before it was all fixed. It is a harrowing story, but it sealed my loyalty for the Fiat brand, and taught me never to ignore that needle again if it even starts to approach the red.

Here endeth the Tale.

 

[Tom]

Re: I've had this one with my previous Brava!

You've never owned an Imp then

If the needle goes more than 3/4 way on an imp sport the cylinder head warps and bang goes the gasket. You end up watching the temp guage more often than the speedo.

 

[Anonymous]

Re: I've had this one with my previous Brava!

are u getting hot air from the heaters?

whilst driving and/or in traffic blasts the heaters on full power (so hot aor pumps out) and lower 2 or more windows ( pref left and right ).

that will help save cylinder head/gasket..also reduses over heating.....
....what r achieving is that u r extracting the heat from the car and out.....instead of it building up!!!!

check water levels of loss of coolant....and check oil and c if its a creamy colour (like baileys)

 

[Tom]

Re: I've had this one with my previous Brava!

Um, can you read? She said they found the problem.

 

[Anonymous]

Re: I've had this one with my previous Brava!

Yes, i', very capable of reading thomas!

it had been to the garage previous to them claiming the problem is solved...

....'However, after driving it home from the garage (15 minutes with no traffic), it was seriously hot again! AARRGGHH!! qote paula>.....


just in case the problems returned she'll know what to do!!!!thomas.

 

[Tom]

Re: I've had this one with my previous Brava!

You missed this though:

>The garage have just called. Apparently he has now found a very small leak - there was a tiny hole in the thermostat housing, which is a plastic unit, upon trying to take off the housing it broke further

 

[Anonymous]

Re: I've had this one with my previous Brava!

'just in case the problems returned she'll know what to do!!!!thomas.'


maybe u can't read thomas!

 

[Tom]

Re: I've had this one with my previous Brava!

She knows

http://www.network54.com/Forum/thread?forumid=15639&messageid=1087243767&lp=1087306300

 

[Anonymous]

Re: I've had this one with my previous Brava!

well she knows now !