need fast help

[jamie_128]

just fitted a new radiator

and i filled the expansion tank with water temporarily no coolant or anything

everythings all connected up

i drove for like 2 mins and the temp shot up to 100 degress but didnt go in the red, and it stayed at 100 for a minute till i managed to get it home


opened the bonnet and the engine was very hot, also i opened the expansion tank and it hissed and sounded like the water was very very hot

whats gone wrong?

[Jonny Ingham]

No coolant..?

[drummer99]

as above. the whole no coolant part i think could be the problem.

[corsa_power]

You need to bleed them system. you have an air lock.

[kingkenny]

when you fill the expansion bottle leave the top of and start the engine and let it tick over,keep an eye on the water level as it will go down as it circulates around the cooling system,top up as and when needed,DO NOT OVERFILL,ideally 10mins,check for leaks,replace cap on bottle and let it pressurise the system,again check for leaks,do this before driving the car.

[jamie_128]

Originally Posted by drummer99

as above. the whole no coolant part i think could be the problem.

the coolant was indeed low

Originally Posted by corsa_power

You need to bleed them system. you have an air lock.

i put water in, temporarily, how do i bleed the system? because i kept putting coolant in and it kept drinking it slowly

Originally Posted by kingkenny

when you fill the expansion bottle leave the top of and start the engine and let it tick over,keep an eye on the water level as it will go down as it circulates around the cooling system,top up as and when needed,DO NOT OVERFILL,ideally 10mins,check for leaks,replace cap on bottle and let it pressurise the system,again check for leaks,do this before driving the car.

right this is what happened

i filled the coolant tank up, and it was working perfect, temp never went above 92, then it started rising pretty fast, i got home at 100 degrees and the bottom pipe of the radiator had come lose (i hadent put the retaining clip on coz its bloody difficult) and water was coming out

so hopefully if i put the pipe back on and fill it up it will be ok? as i drove it for 10 mins with a bit of force and it never got hot

also is just water ok in the cooling system as a temp fix?

and when i get chance to get coolant how do i do it half and half? whats the coolant tank size on the corsa b?


also when it started getting hot the hot heaters went cold is this normal?

and with these 2 minute 100 degree runs will this have done any engine damage like head gasket issue? it never went in the red

[kingkenny]

1lt of anti freeze is enough through the warmer part of the year,you must have just filled up the bottle,shut the bonnet an went of for a drive,if you are using the original hose clips a pair of pliers are the best tool to use.
there is a little plastic screw on the heater hose for bleeding,dont take remove it just loosen it until you have constant water running out,tighten and top up expansion bottle.CHECK HOSES FOR LEAKS.

[corsa-boy]

the correct level off engine coolant/anti freeze is 2 1/2litres for the corsa b's as i asked at my local car parts shop when i last bought some (they checked in the book they had so i know im right)

[Joshsl]

just start it up take the lid of th tank and fill it with water

it will keep going down and down as the air evaporates out the system keep doing this untill the water stopps moving then put the lid on and take for a drive if you still have the problem of it overr heating then check for leaks or check for head gasket failure

[jamie_128]

whats the chances my pistons have been fried or head gasket has gone then?

like i said there was 3 episodes where for 2 minutes the engine was 100 degrees but not in the red

[Joshsl]

shouldnt be damaged

[voxman]

You should always use the manufacturer's recommended strength of "antifreeze". It does more than just prevent the water freezing, it also acts as corrosion inhibitor and reduces electrolytic degradation of aluminium heads and any brass/soldered components of radiators.
Most modern day "antifreezes" are ethylene glycol based, which is what should be used. Renewing it every couple of years is advisable to drain out contaminants and replenish the corrosion inhibitors.

[Minininja]

Originally Posted by kingkenny

if you are using the original hose clips a pair of pliers are the best tool to use.

Mole Grips are much, much easier.

[voxman]

Originally Posted by Minininja

Mole Grips are much, much easier.

I second that recommendation entirely.