Corsa bakkie overheating

[Tracey Van Niekerk]

Hello all, I wonder if anyone can help. Yesterday I drove my corsa bakkie and realised at some stage that the heat gauge was in the red. Panicking I stopped at the nearest garage and filled up the plastic water container with water. It started to pump through the cooling agent? and everything seemed fine, even the aircon was working better. This morning I started the bakkie with no problem at all and kept my eye on the heat gauge which remained normal. Everything seemed fine. I stopped at during the course of the day to check the water level and although the heat gauge indicated normal, the water container was empty again. When I opened it, it filled up from the one pipe. I rode straight home and parked the vehicle. When my husband got home, the water container was once again empty and the vehicle would not start. We have now got it started but everytime the water seems to drain away and we don't know where it is going to or why. Can anyone please help, my husband is furious and I am desperate.

 

[blaaislaai]

That can be one of a few things:
1. Leak in the radiator
2. Blown head gasket
3. Water leak somewhere?
and possibly other reasons too.

 

[RazedInBlack]

Take it to a mechanic. They normally do some type of pressure test to see where the leak most likely is.

As mentioned earlier could be one of few things including water pump or water pipe from the radiator or water container.

Is the water or coolant normal colour when you checked?

 

[spiderz]

It's leaking water somewhere.
Find the leak and stop it.
also, once most of the water have drained from the car, you need to correctly re-fill it without getting air trapped inside the water system. Most cars have a bleed point/procedure to get all the air out.

 

[Fudzy]

When it was parked was there any water underneath the car?

 

[isie]

Seems like a small leak some where along the line, take it a radiator place to do a pressure test (think thats what its called)

 

[WaxLyrical]

I had this problem last month.
Your cylinder head gasket is gone, and water is going into your exhaust.

The fact that the car won't start just confirms my suspicions.

 

[Rouxenator]

If it struggles to start and produces white smoke then it is the head gasket.

Else look under the bonnet/car for something like this :

 

[spiderz]

I had this problem last month.
Your cylinder head gasket is gone, and water is going into your exhaust.

The fact that the car won't start just confirms my suspicions.

If you remove the spark plug, will it be wet?

 

[Devill]

Take it to a mechanic. They normally do some type of pressure test to see where the leak most likely is.

As mentioned earlier could be one of few things including water pump or water pipe from the radiator or water container.

Is the water or coolant normal colour when you checked?

Sounds like a leak in the radiator or the pipe that takes water from the tank to the radiator.

 

[RazedInBlack]

Sounds like a leak in the radiator or the pipe that takes water from the tank to the radiator.

I suspect that as well.

I see the OP hasn't been back. Wonder if she read the advice given here.

 

[grim]

Check the oil, if it's a milky color you're head gasket is gone and the water is leaking into the oil.

 

[bromster]

Start the car with the bonnet up and let it warm up. Ideally, do this test after driving somewhere so that the engine is still hot. Rev the car a bit to build some pressure in the system. Whilst revving the car, have your husband look for water dripping from the engine bay. This would be a simple leak and the best case scenario.

Check for excessive amounts of water spraying from the exhaust tail pipe. Do this both after you have driven somewhere, and after the car has stood overnight. This will confirm MexicanStandoff's suspicion.

Pull out the oil dip stick. It should have black shiny oil on it. If it looks like a dirty grey or brown colour, their is water getting into the engine oil. This is the worst case scenario. Get the car fixed ASAP. Continuing to drive it like this can damage the engine badly. If you insist on driving it, top up your water before every trip until you can get it fixed. If the engine is hot, do not add cold water as this may shock the engine. . Room temperature would be fine.

 

[KingMikel]

My Corsa's heater valve popped 2 years ago, it could be that.

 

[Tracey Van Niekerk]

Thank you everyone for you help it is so greatly appreciated. It is the head gasket and it makes one so angry that there is not indication whilst driving that damage is being done. I mean the vehicle lets you know if the oil is low, it indicates low petrol but there is no indication that the water level is low or empty. We did all the testing that you guys suggested and there was still no indication of a leak the next morning the bakkie started ok but there was water in the oil and the water in the container was all murky. So yay!, today I get to help my husband tow the vehicle to be repaired - I JUST LOVE TOWING (sarcastic) LOL. Thanks again everyone.

 

[Tracey Van Niekerk]

Hi RazedInBlack (is that correct) sorry I hadn't posted a thank you - all the advise was so greatly appreciated. Not even sure how this site is used but found it by accident and wow - it's great if you need help huh? p.s. what does OP stand for - is that original poster? or something

 

[Tracey Van Niekerk]

Thanks the dip stick was originally black and shiny with no indication of oil and by the next morning there was water mixed with the oil like you say, it would seem that the damage was already done. We taking it through to the mechanic today (towing - not driving). My husband says once it's fixed we should sell it??? is that necessary?

 

[1nsane!]

My husband says once it's fixed we should sell it??? is that necessary?

If the head is fine or even if they skim it, it will be fine. A head gasket usually lets go because of overheating (in my opinion). So it might be worth checking things like the thermostat/radiator/pipes/etc.

The car might do another 200k km before it acts up again. It is a bit of a gamble, but if the mechanic does a proper job, there is nothing to worry about.

 

[ChilliGirl]

Thanks the dip stick was originally black and shiny with no indication of oil and by the next morning there was water mixed with the oil like you say, it would seem that the damage was already done. We taking it through to the mechanic today (towing - not driving). My husband says once it's fixed we should sell it??? is that necessary?

Convince hubby to let you drive his car.
It's easier driving than being towed as the towed car must stop both cars, and the towed car must prevent slack in the tow rope, when going down hill.

Just remember when towing the front vehicle is by effect larger. Everything happens slower.

And next time a vehicle overheats...
Put the fan on heat(not aircon), full power. Open windows. And then drive to a point where you can get help/water.
This draws heat from the engine, though not pleasant in summer heat or rainy weather.

 

[Rouxenator]

Usually the Check Engine light will come on and the car will struggle to start. It will also run hotter and require coolant to be topped up. The smoke will also be whitish. That is your tell tale signs that the head gasket is kaput.

This is pretty normal for a car that has done about 200,000km. Had the same on my Astra 1.6 and to be fair I did drive seven kinds of shiz out of the car and when the coolant pipe was leaking (as seen earlier in the thread) I switched to using water instead of anti-freeze, not a very good move if you want your head gasket to last.

I ended up replacing the head gasket, skimming the top and also had them do a complete major service (waterpump, thermostat, cambelt, the works) in the same go. Cost me R10k but its more than a year later and the car still drives like it was brand new.