Car problem

lolokeogh

Ok so yesterday evening car overheated. Noticed real low coolant level, opened rad cap and rad was empty. So filled coolant tank and away i went car was fine. i took ot for a good hour drive, went out this morning and coolant tank was half full and when i opened rad cap i could see nothing in rad?

No visible sign of coolant in rad, so topped up again and drove some more. Now i could be paranoid but on starting the car it seems a bit more smoky than usual, but again its cold out, and when i park up i notice the slightest of little jump in the engine?

Any ideas as i know nothing about cars, its an old 2003 civic, also no signs of coolant leak overnight on ground

Forgot to mention car is in for NCT tonight

biko

OP, I edited your post so it's easier to read.

Did you top up with just water or actual coolant fluid?
For coolant to escape that quickly there has to be quite a big leak somewhere. With just water it is more difficult to find the leak as it won't manifest by discolouring anything.
You can top up and run car while at operating temp and look around the engine bay to see you can hear water escaping.

lolokeogh

@biko thanks very much i did not read over my mistakes in post,yes refilled with coolant,theres no sign at all of leaks,BUT i do notice when i do let the car get up to mormal temp theres a slight bit more white smoke from exhaust.it has been suggested head gasket trouble,maybe a trip to the garage is on the cards,but since its an 03 civic maybe another run around would be cheaper better option..

cfuserkildare

Sounds like Cylinder Head Gasket to me!!

Art Deko

+1 on the cylinder head gasket.

lolokeogh

yeah thats what im thinking...i went out there for another spin,and i can notice a slight what id call a "missfire" when i stop,as in its like the car has a slice wobble...lol..excuse my description as i have not a clue re cars...

lolokeogh

ahhh typical,stuck the car through its NCT tonight and it passed with flying colours,a minter is the term the guy used,so decisions decisions,maybe price getting it fixed?

corks finest

lolokeogh wrote: »

Ok so yesterday evening car overheated. Noticed real low coolant level, opened rad cap and rad was empty. So filled coolant tank and away i went car was fine. i took ot for a good hour drive, went out this morning and coolant tank was half full and when i opened rad cap i could see nothing in rad?

No visible sign of coolant in rad, so topped up again and drove some more. Now i could be paranoid but on starting the car it seems a bit more smoky than usual, but again its cold out, and when i park up i notice the slightest of little jump in the engine?

Any ideas as i know nothing about cars, its an old 2003 civic, also no signs of coolant leak overnight on ground

Forgot to mention car is in for NCT tonight

heater matrix leaking? footwell wet?

JohnBoy26

You need to fill the rad along with the expansion tank. That's why you see nothing in the rad

lolokeogh

cheers folks for all the advice,just another thing maybe not even connected,went out to start the car this evening,turned on the heater inside and nothing,dead,i can hear a motor moving for a second then nothing,not a bit of air...

JohnBoy26

lolokeogh wrote: »

cheers folks for all the advice,just another thing maybe not even connected,went out to start the car this evening,turned on the heater inside and nothing,dead,i can hear a motor moving for a second then nothing,not a bit of air...

Put coolant in.the radiator.

lolokeogh

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

Put coolant in.the radiator.

johnboy i have,but now again as someone that has not a clue it seems to me that the coolant in the rad is going somewhere and the resivor is staying at same level??no the heating problem tonight could just be a serious case of bad luck,theres not a kick out of it,no power there at all .no air..

Toyotafanboi

Sounds more like a leak than a head gasket fault to me.

lolokeogh

*****update*********
ok head gasket was gone,so getting it replaced,the time belt also gets replaced,and what ever else goees with that,getting a full service and 2 new tyres on it,900 all in?no idea if thats over the top or ok,i did not have time to shop around,the car flew the NCT so ill get another year or so from it,and get something next year...folks thanks for replys,i do realy appreciate it

Atlantic Dawn

If you look after it you might even knock a few years out of it, drive it in to the ground, it will owe you nothing.