Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Andy663]

My 3.0 MV6 overheated in heavy traffic, blew one of the hoses off. It looks like a blown fuse on the cooling fan caused the overheating. I've had the water pump and thermostat replaced but it's still overheating. I don't see any water on the dip stick, but the garage did a 'sniffer' test and said that the cooling system was being pressurised by gases from the engine and looks likely that one or both of the head gaskets has blown. Is there anything else I can try?

[tigers_gonads]

It the bottom pipe on the radiator hot or cold when the car temp gauge is above 97 degree's ish ?

Does water flow easily through the radiator from top to bottom ?

Best to make sure its not something simple before you rip the engine apart or worse 

[omega3000]

Sound similar to what i had and worth checking the radiator , mine was partially blocked causing the header tank to pressurize and blow , check and feel if the rad is flowing correctly by feeling if its getting warm top and bottom 
No amount of flushing cured mine so new rad stopped all the overheating 

[Andy663]

I've bought Holts Speedflush, I'll try that just in case there's a blockage anywhere. When it did blow a lot of brown water came out, don't know if that was rust or coolant. The recovery driver thought it was rust and suggested a radiator flush. I've only had the car a few weeks so don't know if the previous owner used coolant or just water. How much did the radiator cost and is it easy enough to fit?

cheers

[omega3000]

Im sure you can get a rad from £60-90 , its best to take the rad off and then you can back flush it ... easy enough to take off . Mine mite have been a one off but flushing never cleared the blockage but sure someone used rad seal in it before that made it worse  I put caustic soda in mine and left it in for 2 days but no joy Worth a shot to try and unblock it before shelling out .

[TheBoy]

rusty water is never a good sign. Its critical on modern engines to maintain a good 50:50 mix of antifreeze, and replace often.

[Elite Pete]

Is your MV6 a 98/99 year model?

[noel]

I've bought Holts Speedflush, I'll try that just in case there's a blockage anywhere. When it did blow a lot of brown water came out, don't know if that was rust or coolant. The recovery driver thought it was rust and suggested a radiator flush. I've only had the car a few weeks so don't know if the previous owner used coolant or just water. How much did the radiator cost and is it easy enough to fit?

cheers

see link if any use to you
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VAUXHALL-OMEGA-2-5-2-6-3-0-3-2cc-94-03-NEW-RADIATOR-/321031416693?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item4abef6ab75

As for fitting takes about an hour and is easy to do

[sjc]

Is your MV6 a 98/99 year model?

Why Pete, was there an issue here - asking because massive head gasket failure (or possibly water jacket collapse) is what prompted my recent engine change.

When it went, the reasonably fresh 50:50 coolant immediately turned into brown goo.  I strongly suspect a previous owner ran it with little or no anti-freeze in it for quite a while.

[Andy663]

It's a 2000 MV6, although pre-facelift

[Andy663]

Success! The radiator flush seems to have done the trick. The cooling system is no longer being pressurised, and the temp is more or less constant. Thanks to everyone for your advice.

[albitz]

Is your MV6 a 98/99 year model?

Why Pete, was there an issue here - asking because massive head gasket failure (or possibly water jacket collapse) is what prompted my recent engine change.

When it went, the reasonably fresh 50:50 coolant immediately turned into brown goo.  I strongly suspect a previous owner ran it with little or no anti-freeze in it for quite a while.

That sounds like oil cooler failure.

[albitz]

Success! The radiator flush seems to have done the trick. The cooling system is no longer being pressurised, and the temp is more or less constant. Thanks to everyone for your advice.

Excellent.Just proves yet again. Never ever trust a garage,unless your brother owns it.Even then........
They would probably have charged something approaching a four figure sum to fix it,and you've fixed it for the cost of a few gallons of water.