Engine overheating problem

Beano

On my way to work this morning I noticed that the engine temperature gauge started to rise as soon as I stopped in traffic. If I was stopped long enough it would continue all the way in to the red. As soon as I started moving again it dropped right back to normal.

Does anybody have any ideas what it could be? Is there anything I can check before I bring it to a garage and hand them my wallet? Could this have damaged my engine?

JohnCleary

Possibly something simple like the thermostat, but the fan could also be dead.

The fact that the temp lowers once you start moving makes me think that the fan is dead (Or something that triggers the fan isint working). I doubt its anything like an airlock in the coolant because the temp lowers once cold air gets at the rad

alias no.9

Most likely the thermostat. The cooling system seems to be working, just that the fan is not kicking in. What kind of car is it?

michaelanthony

The exact same thing happened to me. Eventually it wouldn't cool down at all when I started moving in traffic. Turned out it was the head gasket. I'd bring it to a mechanic. I got in it just in time cos if I had brought it in any later, the cylinder head would have cracked and couldn't have been repaired.

JohnCleary

michaelanthony wrote:

The exact same thing happened to me. Eventually it wouldn't cool down at all when I started moving in traffic. Turned out it was the head gasket. I'd bring it to a mechanic. I got in it just in time cos if I had brought it in any later, the cylinder head would have cracked and couldn't have been repaired.

Don't scare the lad!!
*BASIC* checks for HG failure are...
1) Check oil filler cap and check that its clear of 'may'
2) Check coolant for over-pressurisation
3) Check coolant for oily residue.

I doubt its the HeadGasket to be honest, sounds too much like the thermostat

Beano

The car is a fiat bravo btw. It was only serviced in November if that makes any difference.

JHMEG

Rather than the thermostat, it's most likely the thermostatic switch which turns on the fan.

If the thermostat was stuck in the closed position (shutting off flow to the radiator), you'd want to be moving quite fast for the airflow to cool the engine.

Not a good idea to leave it in this condition. A thermostatic switch is cheap. However the heat will cause you head gasket to fail, and eventually your engine will be ruined.

Beano

just back from the garage and the motor on the radiator fan is gone. It felt like there was a bearing loose inside it. So I'm off the road until I can get it fixed on monday.

Thanks for all the advice

AMurphy

JohnCleary wrote:

Possibly something simple like the thermostat, but the fan could also be dead.

The fact that the temp lowers once you start moving makes me think that the fan is dead (Or something that triggers the fan isint working). I doubt its anything like an airlock in the coolant because the temp lowers once cold air gets at the rad

I'd look to the fan first also, given it is so easy to check.... an engine that is tending to overheat shoud have a hot radiator and whirring fan.
if not, sheck rad temp, if V hot, fan should be on. if cold, Thermostat stuck.
but the fact that it is OK when moving and heats when stopped would immediately indicate the rad is OK and doint its job, just the fan may not.

meanwhile, you can cool the engine very effectively by turning the heater to max heat with the cabins fan also set to max speed... of course this could cause you to sweat in hot weather, but given it is winter... should not be a significant problem and if it is open the rear windows.

CmX

fiats have been known to have head gasket problems,
the symptoms you describe would require that in any case you should bring the car to a mechanic.
if it is the gasket it could already be too late.

adam01

Beano wrote:

On my way to work this morning I noticed that the engine temperature gauge started to rise as soon as I stopped in traffic. If I was stopped long enough it would continue all the way in to the red. As soon as I started moving again it dropped right back to normal.

Does anybody have any ideas what it could be? Is there anything I can check before I bring it to a garage and hand them my wallet? Could this have damaged my engine?

It's likely the thermostat. The cooling system seems to be working, just that the fan is not kicking in.....ADs:rolleyes: