i20 Overheats | Engine Knocks | Coolant Boils and Flows Out

tsk13 · 29th January 2010, 21:26

The car in concern is i20 Asta, 6 months old and has covered 6500 Kilometers till date.

The car was stuck in slow moving traffic for about a Kilometre and when it was stationary after travelling about 800 meters, the engine started knocking and simultaneously the temperature reached the maximum level. Upon checking the coolant box after travelling further 200 meters, Coolant was boiling & flowing out of the box. AC was not is use during the entire journey of about 25 Kilometers.

Sometime back while using AC, we switched between Hot mode and Cold mode (I can't remember exactly whether it was Hot to Cold or Vice-Versa), the temperature suddenly rose and upon switching off the AC, the temperature was Normal. I also remember the car had driven over a big hump or a big Pothole during this or prior to this event.

Please suggest what could be the possible cause, the car is being taken to the Service Center tomorrow but I wish to have some knowledge before I handover the car to the Service Center.

Thanks in Advance!
Tanveer Singh

PS: I checked the existing related threads but almost all of them had AC in use.

jav · 29th January 2010, 21:35

Do the Fans turn on when the temp is high? Both the radiator and condenser fans should turn on during ac and/or if the temp is high

live2drive · 29th January 2010, 21:37

Could be the Radiator Fan. Either the relay gone bust or fan damaged due to the pothole/hump.

ajmat · 29th January 2010, 21:53

If okay when crusing at 40km/h - radiator fan

If overheating all the time - bad thermostat or water pump. My bet it is the thermostat

Mpower · 29th January 2010, 21:59

did you check the coolant level after the engine cooled.

hopefully your head gasket isnot busted.

tsk13 · 29th January 2010, 22:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by jav

Do the Fans turn on when the temp is high? Both the radiator and condenser fans should turn on during ac and/or if the temp is high

Jav, the AC wasn't used during the entire journey. No idea about the fans.

Quote:

Originally Posted by live2drive

Could be the Radiator Fan. Either the relay gone bust or fan damaged due to the pothole/hump.

Live2Drive, thanks for the input. The Pothole/ Hump incident transpired about a month back or so and barring today's incident, the car was running fine.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajmat

If okay when crusing at 40km/h - radiator fan

If overheating all the time - bad thermostat or water pump. My bet it is the thermostat

Ajmat, thanks a lot. The timespan between the two incidents is about a month or so, this rules out regular overheating.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mpower

did you check the coolant level after the engine cooled.

hopefully your head gasket isnot busted.

Mpower, thanks for the reply. I just checked the car and the Coolant is almost empty, only traces left.

As the car will be taken to the Service Center tomorrow about 6 Kilometers away, should I try the method of Using Blower in Hot Air Mode, with Fresh Air intake as mentioned is this post by Sidindica http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/techni...ml#post1688785 . And since the car has no Coolant, should I use cold water and another point is that Early Mornings, it takes about 1 Kilometre or so for the car to reach the optimum temperature.

Mpower · 29th January 2010, 23:06

well you have a coolant leak. Either around the water pump seal or hose that is cut.

check engine oil to make sure there is no mixing oil and coolant.

jkdas · 29th January 2010, 23:25

Do fill in with water and drive; carry spare and fill up in between if needed. Don't drive without any fluid in the coolant system.

rr_zen · 29th January 2010, 23:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkdas

Do fill in with water and drive; carry spare and fill up in between if needed. Don't drive without any fluid in the coolant system.

+1 to that. Also, please ensure you do not strain the engine much on your way to the service station. In other words, maintain a sedate speed and avoid high revving etc.

Since yours is a new car having barely done 6.5K, I dont think it could be a case of blown head gasket.

tsk13 · 29th January 2010, 23:49

Thanks a lot Mpower, jkdas and rr_zen.

Regarding Water Pump Seal, we manufacture them.

Mubeen · 30th January 2010, 05:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsk13

Thanks a lot Mpower, jkdas and rr_zen.

Regarding Water Pump Seal, we manufacture them.

Well looks like you have only yourself to blame then!!!

GTO · 30th January 2010, 16:20

I have the strongest feeling that it's your cooling fan that has malfunctioned. An overheating engine is akin to cancer. If I were you, I wouldn't even drive the car for a km. Have it towed to the authorised service station.

Unfortunate that this had to happen to a new car. Guess it hits even the best of 'em.

sumeethaldankar · 31st January 2010, 11:43

Do let us know the outcome of your issue after you take it for a checkup,i am having a coolant boiling issue with my old car myslef.

tsk13 · 31st January 2010, 18:01

Thanks everyone for the help. The Earthing wire was loose because of which Radiator Fan was malfunctioning. The most probable reason behind a loose Earthing wire is the guy who fixed the new Horns. i20 comes with Single Horn and some re-modification was carried out for the Double Horns.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

I have the strongest feeling that it's your cooling fan that has malfunctioned. An overheating engine is akin to cancer. If I were you, I wouldn't even drive the car for a km. Have it towed to the authorised service station.

Unfortunate that this had to happen to a new car. Guess it hits even the best of 'em.

Thanks GTO. When the temperature shot up the car was in a slow moving one lane traffic, and home was about 200 meters away so the car was driven uptill there. Parking is impossible to find within that distance as I put up in a Semi-Commercial locality, known for Car Accessories shops and stopping the car mid-way would have meant a long trickle down effect.

Moreover, the deliberate attempt to drive 6 Kilometers to the Service Center with a malfunction is surely not good for the car.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sumeethaldankar

Do let us know the outcome of your issue after you take it for a checkup,i am having a coolant boiling issue with my old car myslef.

Hope my case is able to solve the problem with the car.

GTO · 1st February 2010, 12:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsk13

Thanks everyone for the help. The Earthing wire was loose because of which Radiator Fan was malfunctioning.

Bingo! I just knew it had to be the cooling fan.

Quote:

The most probable reason behind a loose Earthing wire is the guy who fixed the new Horns. i20 comes with Single Horn and some re-modification was carried out for the Double Horns.

While I'm glad your new i20 didn't have a manufacturing defect, I am equally appalled at the labour quality of after-market shops. One "pappu" fitting expert can ruin all the reliability that was built into the car by the manufacturer who spent 1000 crore rupees into the R&D, and ensuring vendor quality.

29th January 2010, 21:26	#1
tsk13 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: New Delhi Posts: 1,256 Thanked: 362 Times	i20 Overheats \| Engine Knocks \| Coolant Boils and Flows Out The car in concern is i20 Asta, 6 months old and has covered 6500 Kilometers till date. The car was stuck in slow moving traffic for about a Kilometre and when it was stationary after travelling about 800 meters, the engine started knocking and simultaneously the temperature reached the maximum level. Upon checking the coolant box after travelling further 200 meters, Coolant was boiling & flowing out of the box. AC was not is use during the entire journey of about 25 Kilometers. Sometime back while using AC, we switched between Hot mode and Cold mode (I can't remember exactly whether it was Hot to Cold or Vice-Versa), the temperature suddenly rose and upon switching off the AC, the temperature was Normal. I also remember the car had driven over a big hump or a big Pothole during this or prior to this event. Please suggest what could be the possible cause, the car is being taken to the Service Center tomorrow but I wish to have some knowledge before I handover the car to the Service Center. Thanks in Advance! Tanveer Singh PS: I checked the existing related threads but almost all of them had AC in use. Last edited by tsk13 : 29th January 2010 at 21:27.
	() Thanks

29th January 2010, 21:35	#2
jav BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 225 Thanked: 66 Times	Do the Fans turn on when the temp is high? Both the radiator and condenser fans should turn on during ac and/or if the temp is high
	() Thanks

29th January 2010, 21:37	#3
live2drive BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: New Delhi Posts: 525 Thanked: 27 Times View My Garage	Could be the Radiator Fan. Either the relay gone bust or fan damaged due to the pothole/hump.
	() Thanks

29th January 2010, 21:53	#4
ajmat Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 15,196 Thanked: 31,448 Times View My Garage	If okay when crusing at 40km/h - radiator fan If overheating all the time - bad thermostat or water pump. My bet it is the thermostat
	() Thanks

29th January 2010, 21:59	#5
Mpower Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 10,399 Thanked: 1,735 Times View My Garage	did you check the coolant level after the engine cooled. hopefully your head gasket isnot busted.
	() Thanks

29th January 2010, 23:06	#7
Mpower Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 10,399 Thanked: 1,735 Times View My Garage	well you have a coolant leak. Either around the water pump seal or hose that is cut. check engine oil to make sure there is no mixing oil and coolant.
	() Thanks

29th January 2010, 23:25	#8
jkdas Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Thiruvananthapu Posts: 9,687 Thanked: 1,497 Times View My Garage	Do fill in with water and drive; carry spare and fill up in between if needed. Don't drive without any fluid in the coolant system.
	() Thanks

29th January 2010, 23:49	#10
tsk13 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: New Delhi Posts: 1,256 Thanked: 362 Times	Thanks a lot Mpower, jkdas and rr_zen. Regarding Water Pump Seal, we manufacture them. Last edited by tsk13 : 29th January 2010 at 23:54.
	() Thanks

30th January 2010, 16:20	#12
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 71,929 Thanked: 322,194 Times View My Garage	I have the strongest feeling that it's your cooling fan that has malfunctioned. An overheating engine is akin to cancer. If I were you, I wouldn't even drive the car for a km. Have it towed to the authorised service station. Unfortunate that this had to happen to a new car. Guess it hits even the best of 'em.
	() Thanks

31st January 2010, 11:43	#13
sumeethaldankar Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 4,147 Thanked: 3,673 Times View My Garage	Do let us know the outcome of your issue after you take it for a checkup,i am having a coolant boiling issue with my old car myslef. Last edited by sumeethaldankar : 31st January 2010 at 11:44.
	() Thanks