Coolant spilling out of reservoir after I switch off the engine

Sutripta · 25th December 2009, 11:06

Hi,
@Irfanulla, @scorpian, running reports/ updates pls.

Sutripta

scorpian · 25th December 2009, 13:11

Hi everyone,heres a update on my problem and things done in the past days.
I got the radiator opened,yes completely dismantled and had the guy insert straight wires in the holes and some amoint of rust and blockage did come out,after sealing the top we did a leak test and no leaks were found.

Radiator installed and started the car with the cap open,inserted a thermometer,now as per maruti workshop manual the fan should start operating at 95degrees and bingo it did start at 95.1 degrees,i would leave the .1 as maybe thermometer inaccuracy,the fan starts at 95.1 and shuts off at 89degrees so the fan and its switch are working fine.

I noticed all throughtout the idle that from the open radiator cap some amont of water kept flowing out and at one point i saw bubbles which then vanished....maybe air in the radiator.

I went for a high speed drive,real pushing in gears to see if i have coolant spillage from reservoir overflow...and nopes no overflow at all,car runs a little better and i reset the timing at 10degrees(standard for zen),i have noticed one thing timing set at 9degrees bogs the vechile and timing set at 11 starts the knocking while pulling hard,zen behaves its best when set at 10degrees.

I have doubts on my head gasket coz i did come to know from few good mechanics that a head gasket can leak in to exhaust,compression and will not show a oil contamination,i guess i will have to replace since i have hit H twice before,however it seems replacing head gasket is an expensive affair and i got quotes of newhere between 7to8k,the logic is that the valves etc need to be regrinded and new seats and all have to be taken care off...

I guess the final solution to this problem is:
1)Replace thermostatic valve.
2)Check fan operation at right temp.
3)Replace radiator (choked radiator leads to pressure buildup leading to overflow from reservoir pipe) i opened the radiator coz i wanted to be sure to locate the prob and eventually i will replace the radiator.
4)Last resort if all this fails is the head gasket,opp to normal talk that mechs give you saying that opening head leads to weak compression and stuff is all B.S....a job welll done with the head being checked for warpage can ensure ur engine is in good zone.

This are my inputs and am no super specialist so pls excuse any stupidity on my part....

Irfanulla · 14th February 2010, 23:48

Ah - suddenly the overheating problem started all over again - now this was happenning when I was really on high AC or when I had really push the accelerator hard, the reservoir was full of coolant and there were bubbles and today it went on to the extreme.

on the Agara ring road very close to Pratham MAS, the engine started to overheat and I had to call up MOS to come in for the rescue - the mechanic arrived from pratham in say 10min, i was happy - but when we opened up the radiator was cool and no coolant flowing - then the mechanic asked me to rev up the engine and i did and now the mechanic started to pour in water so that I could drag my versa to pratham MAS, them the coolant suddenly started to spurt out in intervals, I could smell burnt from the engine bay

the mechanic told me to drive the vehicle slowly to the MAS and when I reached there (a distance of say 500m) I think I had junked the engine - it was smelling of smoke and I feel it done for a head job now :(

I have left the vehicle with pratham and told them to do what ever they want to do with it - I am so fed up with the overheating ritual - now I have started to feel deep respect for my wife who is much better.

hope all turns well - this time around! even if that means shelling another 10k

Irfanulla · 15th February 2010, 00:03

Just before I go on to sleep - please some one recommend me a good car garage in around near R.T.nagar / hebbal area, not necessary MAS, versa is a bit elephantish to maintain -

honeybee · 15th February 2010, 09:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irfanulla

on the Agara ring road very close to Pratham MAS, the engine started to overheat and I had to call up MOS to come in for the rescue - the mechanic arrived from pratham in say 10min, i was happy - but when we opened up the radiator was cool and no coolant flowing - then the mechanic asked me to rev up the engine and i did and now the mechanic started to pour in water so that I could drag my versa to pratham MAS, them the coolant suddenly started to spurt out in intervals, I could smell burnt from the engine bay

the mechanic told me to drive the vehicle slowly to the MAS and when I reached there (a distance of say 500m) I think I had junked the engine - it was smelling of smoke and I feel it done for a head job now :(

I was able to drive along my M800 (real slow) to the nearest garage without damage to the engine. The moment I noticed the engine was overheating I pulled up on the side, opened the bonnet and let the engine cool down for a full 10 minutes. Started the car, shifted into first gear, gently pressed the acccelerator barely enough to get it moving and then shifting into neutral and foot off the accelerator just let it roll along for some distance. As long as the needle stayed around the centre mark I let it coast. The moment it swung upwards, I switched off the engine and pulled up to the side. Repeated the whole procedure. I had to stop just once, though. Managed to get to a nearby petrol pump and got the coolant/radiator filled up.

.

honeybee · 15th February 2010, 09:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by scorpian

I guess the final solution to this problem is:
1)Replace thermostatic valve.
2)Check fan operation at right temp.
3)Replace radiator (choked radiator leads to pressure buildup leading to overflow from reservoir pipe) i opened the radiator coz i wanted to be sure to locate the prob and eventually i will replace the radiator.
4)Last resort if all this fails is the head gasket,opp to normal talk that mechs give you saying that opening head leads to weak compression and stuff is all B.S....a job welll done with the head being checked for warpage can ensure ur engine is in good zone.

This are my inputs and am no super specialist so pls excuse any stupidity on my part....

I had asked about aluminium radiator for my M800 when I realized my radiator was leaking and was beyond repair (had already cleaned and leakproofed it a couple of times). The cost quoted was probably twice that of the stock radiator, but it was not readily available and I was stranded. So I went for the ordinary one. Maybe you can try checking with your local dealer on this.

.

Irfanulla · 15th February 2010, 18:10

finally - the pratham folks informed me that the water pump was faulty resulting in the overheating and loss of coolant,

now the head gasket is gonna change and then there is the head machining to be done "a 10K " on the car all in all!

Irfanulla · 20th September 2010, 15:50

I think I will do the following
1. Chk with the radiator cleaning
2. chk thermostat valve-(again- I had replaced it in last service)
3. Remove all coolant and chk for oil in it

I have to yet refill the coolant today and try out

RGDS
Irfan

IndrojitSircar · 20th September 2010, 22:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irfanulla

I think I will do the following
1. Chk with the radiator cleaning
2. chk thermostat valve-(again- I had replaced it in last service)
3. Remove all coolant and chk for oil in it

I have to yet refill the coolant today and try out

RGDS
Irfan

Check if there is a small O Ring on the inner side of your reserve tank lid. That often wears out and results in coolant coming out of the the Breathing nipple on the lid of the reserve tank.

SirAlec · 20th September 2010, 23:24

It took seven months for you to diagnose the problem.
or there is another side of the story.

Captain Slow · 20th September 2010, 23:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irfanulla

I think I will do the following
1. Chk with the radiator cleaning
2. chk thermostat valve-(again- I had replaced it in last service)
3. Remove all coolant and chk for oil in it

I have to yet refill the coolant today and try out

RGDS
Irfan

I think you might need to replace the Radiator cap also. They did that in my car 2-3 times until all the oil was gone from the radiator.

Irfanulla · 21st September 2010, 12:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by IndrojitSircar

Check if there is a small O Ring on the inner side of your reserve tank lid. That often wears out and results in coolant coming out of the the Breathing nipple on the lid of the reserve tank.

There is no O ring there - when te coolant is spilling out its actually boiling and gurgulling a lot...

Sir Alec,

Not seven months - it was all well once I serviced(did the head gasket work, replaced waterpump, timing belt and what not) the car at Pratham motors on the ring road Bangalore-

but I think NOW that- that day morning i fit a LED light in the grill on my van - may be something related to earthing - I will probably change the battery and chk if all ground connection are perfect-

is there an electrical section to show how??? here

I know the basics but a little bit of more reading on electrics would not do any harm I think.

RGDS
IRfan

IndrojitSircar · 21st September 2010, 17:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irfanulla

There is no O ring there - when te coolant is spilling out its actually boiling and gurgulling a lot...

Sir Alec,

Not seven months - it was all well once I serviced(did the head gasket work, replaced waterpump, timing belt and what not) the car at Pratham motors on the ring road Bangalore-

but I think NOW that- that day morning i fit a LED light in the grill on my van - may be something related to earthing - I will probably change the battery and chk if all ground connection are perfect-

is there an electrical section to show how??? here

I know the basics but a little bit of more reading on electrics would not do any harm I think.

RGDS
IRfan

There should be an O ring there, on the inner side of the reserve tank cap. Electricals won't be a reason of water boiling over unless the fan isn't working.

johnruben · 21st September 2010, 21:51

@Irfanulla, Pratham motors are complete cunning fox, i had worst experience with them, be careful, i suggest take your car to mandovi or other reputed MASS and check thoroughly.

One Question to all Gurus here: Why doesnt Suzuki Engines shutoff when overheating ? I still remember when my matiz overheated, engine shutoff completely by itself to avoid damage to internal engine parts.

vigsom · 22nd September 2010, 07:39

[quote=johnruben;2078549
One Question to all Gurus here: Why doesnt Suzuki Engines shutoff when overheating ? .[/quote]

I know of a Baleno which shut off on overheating - this was just 2 days back.Coolant had leaked out of a minor crack in the radiator and the owner didn't notice that.The crack was apparently caused by a minor bash.

25th December 2009, 11:06	#76
Sutripta Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Calcutta Posts: 4,668 Thanked: 6,227 Times	Hi, @Irfanulla, @scorpian, running reports/ updates pls. Sutripta
	() Thanks

25th December 2009, 13:11	#77
scorpian BHPian Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: GOA Posts: 843 Thanked: 1,269 Times View My Garage	Hi everyone,heres a update on my problem and things done in the past days. I got the radiator opened,yes completely dismantled and had the guy insert straight wires in the holes and some amoint of rust and blockage did come out,after sealing the top we did a leak test and no leaks were found. Radiator installed and started the car with the cap open,inserted a thermometer,now as per maruti workshop manual the fan should start operating at 95degrees and bingo it did start at 95.1 degrees,i would leave the .1 as maybe thermometer inaccuracy,the fan starts at 95.1 and shuts off at 89degrees so the fan and its switch are working fine. I noticed all throughtout the idle that from the open radiator cap some amont of water kept flowing out and at one point i saw bubbles which then vanished....maybe air in the radiator. I went for a high speed drive,real pushing in gears to see if i have coolant spillage from reservoir overflow...and nopes no overflow at all,car runs a little better and i reset the timing at 10degrees(standard for zen),i have noticed one thing timing set at 9degrees bogs the vechile and timing set at 11 starts the knocking while pulling hard,zen behaves its best when set at 10degrees. I have doubts on my head gasket coz i did come to know from few good mechanics that a head gasket can leak in to exhaust,compression and will not show a oil contamination,i guess i will have to replace since i have hit H twice before,however it seems replacing head gasket is an expensive affair and i got quotes of newhere between 7to8k,the logic is that the valves etc need to be regrinded and new seats and all have to be taken care off... I guess the final solution to this problem is: 1)Replace thermostatic valve. 2)Check fan operation at right temp. 3)Replace radiator (choked radiator leads to pressure buildup leading to overflow from reservoir pipe) i opened the radiator coz i wanted to be sure to locate the prob and eventually i will replace the radiator. 4)Last resort if all this fails is the head gasket,opp to normal talk that mechs give you saying that opening head leads to weak compression and stuff is all B.S....a job welll done with the head being checked for warpage can ensure ur engine is in good zone. This are my inputs and am no super specialist so pls excuse any stupidity on my part....
	() Thanks

14th February 2010, 23:48	#78
Irfanulla BHPian Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 73 Thanked: Once	Ah - suddenly the overheating problem started all over again - now this was happenning when I was really on high AC or when I had really push the accelerator hard, the reservoir was full of coolant and there were bubbles and today it went on to the extreme. on the Agara ring road very close to Pratham MAS, the engine started to overheat and I had to call up MOS to come in for the rescue - the mechanic arrived from pratham in say 10min, i was happy - but when we opened up the radiator was cool and no coolant flowing - then the mechanic asked me to rev up the engine and i did and now the mechanic started to pour in water so that I could drag my versa to pratham MAS, them the coolant suddenly started to spurt out in intervals, I could smell burnt from the engine bay the mechanic told me to drive the vehicle slowly to the MAS and when I reached there (a distance of say 500m) I think I had junked the engine - it was smelling of smoke and I feel it done for a head job now :( I have left the vehicle with pratham and told them to do what ever they want to do with it - I am so fed up with the overheating ritual - now I have started to feel deep respect for my wife who is much better. hope all turns well - this time around! even if that means shelling another 10k
	() Thanks

15th February 2010, 00:03	#79
Irfanulla BHPian Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 73 Thanked: Once	Just before I go on to sleep - please some one recommend me a good car garage in around near R.T.nagar / hebbal area, not necessary MAS, versa is a bit elephantish to maintain -
	() Thanks

15th February 2010, 18:10	#82
Irfanulla BHPian Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 73 Thanked: Once	finally - the pratham folks informed me that the water pump was faulty resulting in the overheating and loss of coolant, now the head gasket is gonna change and then there is the head machining to be done "a 10K " on the car all in all!
	() Thanks

20th September 2010, 15:50	#83
Irfanulla BHPian Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 73 Thanked: Once	I think I will do the following 1. Chk with the radiator cleaning 2. chk thermostat valve-(again- I had replaced it in last service) 3. Remove all coolant and chk for oil in it I have to yet refill the coolant today and try out RGDS Irfan
	() Thanks

20th September 2010, 23:24	#85
SirAlec Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: zxc Posts: 3,395 Thanked: 727 Times	It took seven months for you to diagnose the problem. or there is another side of the story.
	() Thanks

21st September 2010, 21:51	#89
johnruben BHPian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 221 Thanked: 85 Times View My Garage	@Irfanulla, Pratham motors are complete cunning fox, i had worst experience with them, be careful, i suggest take your car to mandovi or other reputed MASS and check thoroughly. One Question to all Gurus here: Why doesnt Suzuki Engines shutoff when overheating ? I still remember when my matiz overheated, engine shutoff completely by itself to avoid damage to internal engine parts.
	() Thanks

22nd September 2010, 07:39	#90
vigsom Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: NSEW Posts: 3,866 Thanked: 27,538 Times	[quote=johnruben;2078549 One Question to all Gurus here: Why doesnt Suzuki Engines shutoff when overheating ? .[/quote] I know of a Baleno which shut off on overheating - this was just 2 days back.Coolant had leaked out of a minor crack in the radiator and the owner didn't notice that.The crack was apparently caused by a minor bash.
	() Thanks