Quick - diagnose my problem!

[AdrianSSS]

My temp gauge (stock N13 dash) went from cold to past hot on the 10-minute drive home from work - and not in stop-start traffic. The thermofan runs all the time. I'm using the CA18DET sender in the engine not the N13 one. I didn't hit boost on the way home, at all.

The car isn't running any differently, except it idles a bit higher than normal (around 1200rpm) when it gets warmer.

I got home and let it idle and the temp didn't really drop in the gauge. Coolant was chockers yesterday when I checked it - can't check it now cos it'll spew all over me, obviously. The radiator hoses are warm to touch but not killer hot. The bottom one is cold near the radiator (thermofan side) but warmer towards the engine. The radiator is warm to touch but not overbearingly hot as I would expect from an overheat. I pulled the dipstick out for a quick check just now after getting home - looks low but that could be because it hasn't settled, so that's not the biggest concern.

What the hell is going on? Layman's terms, please

[boriskov]

Thermostat?

[AdrianSSS]

Haven't got one, just the housing. The old one (CA) wouldn't open, and neither would the N13 one when we dropped the engine in so we punched out the thermostat and are just using the housing. Coolant flows 24/7.

[GaryD]

Yeh definatly sounds like the coolant is flowing around. Did u turn the car off when it started to overheat or keep driving?

[AdrianSSS]

Kept driving - but only because it did the same thing yesterday and when I pulled over it had exactly the same symptoms - warm radiator, hoses were fine, fan blowing, motor cool, etc.

Edit: As I said, I only work 10 minutes away from home - so by the time it got to H, I was basically in my driveway.

[platinum]

my car went from cold to past hot on the drive home from work about 2 weeks ago as well... it loves chewing up heads and/or headgaskets, this will be the 3rd in the space of a year.

Needless to say i parked the fucker in the shed and it's not moving until the brand new engine is ready!

[THE ASH]

got a spare sender? can you make the N13 one fit?

[AdrianSSS]

got a spare sender? can you make the N13 one fit?

N13 one is too small for the hole in the housing on the CA

[BigMuz]

Put the thermostat back in.

The thermostat regulates water flow, and also stops (or thereabouts) cavitation. If you don't want to use a thermostat (because you are retarded :D) then use the body of the thermostat in the hole without the centre valve part. The reduction in area will help a lot.

And check the sensor too.

Muz

[stockymcstock]

the thermostat is still in there, but the valve has been cut out as you say muz. it was sticking closed and a new one meant we couldn't drive the car for 2 days, so i cut it out.

turns out the thing was low on coolant - chewed it or dropped it somewhere i guess but no visible leaks.

you'll have to forgive him - he drives a pulsar.

[AdrianSSS]

you'll have to forgive him - he drives a pulsar.

Fuck you :D

Also, what would I do without you, Stocky? (apart from having much more tread on my tyres, and money in my wallet)

[thechuckster]

turns out the thing was low on coolant - chewed it or dropped it somewhere i guess but no visible leaks..

... and how many posts & days passed before this solitary glowing spot of brilliance (e.g. checking contents of radiator) was spotted?

[AdrianSSS]

... and how many posts & days passed before this solitary glowing spot of brilliance (e.g. checking contents of radiator) was spotted?

As I said in the very first post, the last inspection of the coolant prior to Saturday's fixing the problem (which was on Thursday morning) saw that the coolant was absolutely chockers.

[Tripper]

i think its related to you BOV does it goes fucking woooosh ?

[AdrianSSS]

i think its related to you BOV does it goes fucking woooosh ?

No, my BOV isn't nearly hektik enough for that. It does a little "pssst" noise sometimes, hence it remains unhooked.