Help - Water Coolant & Heat Problem

[Mrs F]

Hello

Help! Have had problems with my Avensis (T reg estate 1.8 petrol), which I have managed to fix myself a month ago but it's just re-occurred. I'm about to get the car serviced and wonder if anyone knows what has gone wrong/needs replacing/potential cost etc?

(I had a problem once before and the advice I got on this forum saved me a lot of money, as I knew what I was talking about, and could ask the garage to make a specific repair).

Last month I noticed the heating was not working properly on and off, but didn't think it significant or any indication of a water coolant problem. Then, on one occasion when the heating was not working, I noticed the temperature gauge shot up. I stopped, checked oil level which was fine. Topped up the water bottle, which was slightly low, temp gauge went down, but shortly went up rapidly with steam coming out of engine. Stopped immediately, and when safe took the central coolant cap off and filled this up with water direct. It hissed and spluttered and took a lot of water, it seemed like there was an air blockage. After this the temperature gauge went right down, with no further problems and as a by product I noticed the heating worked fine since (which is why I've connected the two incidents).

I was going to mention it to my garage when it goes in for its MOT/service shortly, however, the problem just re-occurred and this time on taking the coolant cap off to check the water level, noticed a light grey gunge round the top of the opening.

I'd be very grateful for any ideas/observations/advice?

Many thanks in advance.

Mrs F.

[cmia]

Yes...

Sounds like head gasket... with the Gunge ..

The oil does it look mayo ? when you look at the dip stick

or ... when you look at the screw top ( that plastic lid thingy where you put the oil into)?

It could be a possible faulty radiator cap! causing low pressure

[SteveGT4]

Hello there,

Do you know if your fan is kicking in? If not that might be why its getting very hot and taking alot of water. Could also be a thermostat problem. If I were you, I would have a quick look to see if the fan starts if so then I would think it was the thermostat, that would explain the no heating problem.

[cmia]

Hello there,

Do you know if your fan is kicking in? If not that might be why its getting very hot and taking alot of water. Could also be a thermostat problem. If I were you, I would have a quick look to see if the fan starts if so then I would think it was the thermostat, that would explain the no heating problem.

:P

Yes you could do that as well

[Mrs F]

Hello there,

Do you know if your fan is kicking in? If not that might be why its getting very hot and taking alot of water. Could also be a thermostat problem. If I were you, I would have a quick look to see if the fan starts if so then I would think it was the thermostat, that would explain the no heating problem.

:P

Yes you could do that as well

Thanks steve and cmia!

I'll check, and post back asap. Cheers

[Mrs F]

Hello there,

Do you know if your fan is kicking in? If not that might be why its getting very hot and taking alot of water. Could also be a thermostat problem. If I were you, I would have a quick look to see if the fan starts if so then I would think it was the thermostat, that would explain the no heating problem.

:P

Yes you could do that as well

Thanks steve and cmia!

I'll check, and post back asap. Cheers

Hi Steve and cmia

I've checked the oil, dipstick level fine and oil is clear, and also clear when I undid and looked at the screw top/oil tank.

I can't tell if the fan's kicking in - the engine's cold at the moment, but the fanbelt was working fine. Would the fan come on when cold, or would I need to check it when the engine's warm? There was no visible fan working just now.

I opened the radiator cap again and the water level was high and looked dirty - greyish.

Thanks.

[igormus]

Hello

Help! Have had problems with my Avensis (T reg estate 1.8 petrol), which I have managed to fix myself a month ago but it's just re-occurred. I'm about to get the car serviced and wonder if anyone knows what has gone wrong/needs replacing/potential cost etc?

(I had a problem once before and the advice I got on this forum saved me a lot of money, as I knew what I was talking about, and could ask the garage to make a specific repair).

Last month I noticed the heating was not working properly on and off, but didn't think it significant or any indication of a water coolant problem. Then, on one occasion when the heating was not working, I noticed the temperature gauge shot up. I stopped, checked oil level which was fine. Topped up the water bottle, which was slightly low, temp gauge went down, but shortly went up rapidly with steam coming out of engine. Stopped immediately, and when safe took the central coolant cap off and filled this up with water direct. It hissed and spluttered and took a lot of water, it seemed like there was an air blockage. After this the temperature gauge went right down, with no further problems and as a by product I noticed the heating worked fine since (which is why I've connected the two incidents).

I was going to mention it to my garage when it goes in for its MOT/service shortly, however, the problem just re-occurred and this time on taking the coolant cap off to check the water level, noticed a light grey gunge round the top of the opening.

I'd be very grateful for any ideas/observations/advice?

Many thanks in advance.

Mrs F.

hello

i have heard from an off. dealer that the common problem with 1.8 VVt-i is the gasket that is blown thru by exhaust gases. its occures in ccase the engine is not preheated before driving especially in winter time at cold outside temp. it is the first reason and the second reason is the engine cylinder head is afraid of an extensive overheating that is being curved the head bottom -- resulting that the head is not tighten well. it is understood that as per the Pascal law the gases go out bot to an exhaust manifold and to cooling system -- that is why you have disclosed the coolant is dirty.

cheers/igor

[Q.S.]

Hello

Help! Have had problems with my Avensis (T reg estate 1.8 petrol), which I have managed to fix myself a month ago but it's just re-occurred. I'm about to get the car serviced and wonder if anyone knows what has gone wrong/needs replacing/potential cost etc?

(I had a problem once before and the advice I got on this forum saved me a lot of money, as I knew what I was talking about, and could ask the garage to make a specific repair).

Last month I noticed the heating was not working properly on and off, but didn't think it significant or any indication of a water coolant problem. Then, on one occasion when the heating was not working, I noticed the temperature gauge shot up. I stopped, checked oil level which was fine. Topped up the water bottle, which was slightly low, temp gauge went down, but shortly went up rapidly with steam coming out of engine. Stopped immediately, and when safe took the central coolant cap off and filled this up with water direct. It hissed and spluttered and took a lot of water, it seemed like there was an air blockage. After this the temperature gauge went right down, with no further problems and as a by product I noticed the heating worked fine since (which is why I've connected the two incidents).

I was going to mention it to my garage when it goes in for its MOT/service shortly, however, the problem just re-occurred and this time on taking the coolant cap off to check the water level, noticed a light grey gunge round the top of the opening.

I'd be very grateful for any ideas/observations/advice?

Many thanks in advance.

Mrs F.

The reason the heating goes off is due to the low water level. The first thing to get starved of water flow is the heating as it is usually a higher level than everything else, so as the water goes down the heater goes empty.

You need to find out just where the water is going. The gunge around the cap is a bit of a bogey as this could be a sign of the head gasket on its way out.

If you have a local friendly mechanic, get him to check the water system for Hydrocarbons with his exhaust gas analyser. If the head gasket is blown accross to the water jacket, the hydrocarbons will go through the roof. (there shouldn't be any really)

[gazza1286]

Hi

If the 'problem' has just re-occurred after a months driving I wouldn't think that it's a head gasket failure. These are usually catastrophic events and coolant is usually lost at a much higher rate.

There is definately a leak somewhere from the cooling system and this needs to be found.

(i) Head Gasket - as mentioned above this is a simple test. Known as the 'sniffer' test. A liquid is exposed to the coolant and detects the presence of hydrocarbons by turning a different colour. Also if you are loosing coolant into the exhaust you would seen an EXCESSIVE amount to steam coming from the exhaust.

(ii) Leak in the radiator. your car is getting to an age where the central core of the radiator is being to break down. A re-core £60 - labour/coolant £50 approx.

(iii) Leak in Water Pump. This is a very common failing in this engine. (BTW you don't have a VVTI Engine and there is no reported problems with a failing Head Gasket as far as I am aware)

My money is on (iii) Part £30 labour/coolant £150 - Get the timing belt done at the same time.

Good luck

[Mrs F]

Thanks everybody for your comments - I'll let you know what the problem was when it's sorted! By the way the car's done ca. 108,000 miles, if that's of any relevance. The timing belt has been changed once (by previous owner).