Overheating And Don't Know Why...

[Guest]

I have a 2002 (52) plate 1.4 diesel Yaris which has started to be a bit of a pain - here's the background.

In June I had a bump in the car, I got hit on the offside, basically where the headlight is. I had the headlight unit, bumper, wing and bonnet replaced and a bit of work on the wiring (the lights still worked, but the indicator light on the dash didn't). All fine after that up until about 3 weeks ago when the coolant overheating indicator light thing (proper name escapes me) has started coming on and the fan has started making a really loud noise while it's running. I haven't had a chance to take it into the garage yet, so I've just got to run it with the heating in the car at full blast to pull the heat through. The coolant level is fine and isn't leaking.

I've also noticed that something isn't quite right if I have to turn hard left - this could be incidental as I need to put some more air in the tyres as the pressure has dropped a bit. They could be linked though if it's something structural in that part of the car.

I'm wondering a few things - is it related to the repair work done, is the turning left issue a real issue (tyre pressure being done today) and if not what could it be?

I'm hoping to take it into the garage for them to assess tomorrow (don't know if I can afford to fix it!), but I'd really welcome people's thoughts on this before I do so I'm armed with a bit more information.

[Haylands]

I have a 2002 (52) plate 1.4 diesel Yaris which has started to be a bit of a pain - here's the background.

In June I had a bump in the car, I got hit on the offside, basically where the headlight is. I had the headlight unit, bumper, wing and bonnet replaced and a bit of work on the wiring (the lights still worked, but the indicator light on the dash didn't). All fine after that up until about 3 weeks ago when the coolant overheating indicator light thing (proper name escapes me) has started coming on and the fan has started making a really loud noise while it's running. I haven't had a chance to take it into the garage yet, so I've just got to run it with the heating in the car at full blast to pull the heat through. The coolant level is fine and isn't leaking.

I've also noticed that something isn't quite right if I have to turn hard left - this could be incidental as I need to put some more air in the tyres as the pressure has dropped a bit. They could be linked though if it's something structural in that part of the car.

I'm wondering a few things - is it related to the repair work done, is the turning left issue a real issue (tyre pressure being done today) and if not what could it be?

I'm hoping to take it into the garage for them to assess tomorrow (don't know if I can afford to fix it!), but I'd really welcome people's thoughts on this before I do so I'm armed with a bit more information.

Hi

Very difficult to diagnose a problem like this without seeing the car, could be electrical, could be pump timing, could be a blockage in the cooling system, failed water pump... the list goes on.... I wouldn't drive it too far like this and it could be a case of "can you afford not to fix it?"

Try the correct pressures in the tyres, if not, have you hit a curb or pothole lately? does it make any noises over bumps etc... also could be a number of things, start with the cheap first....

Good Luck, hope its a cheap fix for you

Pete

[Guest]

Hi again - so, the tyre pressure is all sorted, it's now just the overheating - it seems to be progressive, the warning light comes on sooner and takes longer to go off than it did before. Ignoring the bump and subsequent repairs, where should I start to look to troubleshoot this? I've heard that there can be head gasket problems with the 02 diesel engine, could it be related?

Thanks in advance for your help.

[Haylands]

Hi again - so, the tyre pressure is all sorted, it's now just the overheating - it seems to be progressive, the warning light comes on sooner and takes longer to go off than it did before. Ignoring the bump and subsequent repairs, where should I start to look to troubleshoot this? I've heard that there can be head gasket problems with the 02 diesel engine, could it be related?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Hi

Could well be the headgasket, take it to a garage, they can test for this and a host of other problems as well

Good Luck

Pete

[Guest]

My local garage have replaced the water pump for me, but sadly it's still causing me a problem (although it's happening a lot less frequently than before). They can't find any further faults or replicate the problem I'm getting (they have said they're certain the head gasket is fine).

The overheating light is coming on once I've been driving at 70 for a little while (I genuinely don't drive faster than that - I'm protecting my fuel economy as much as I can because I drive about 500-550 miles per working week!), and the fan is very noisy. The garage can't get the overheating light to come on and say that the fan could be a staged one so it's just working harder, hence louder, at this higher temperature. They've suggested replacing the thermostat, but admitted that it's a complete shot in the dark as they've no idea if that will fix it or not. I am absolutely not willing to spend more money on something that isn't definitely going to fix the problem.

Can anyone suggest *anything* else that could cause something like this? I am worried that this is an indicator of a larger problem that is just waiting to manifest itself and bankrupt me :(

[Parts-King]

If the fan is "really" noisy, is it actually working? are the blades going round? could be the blades are detached from the motor

A new thermostat isnt going to bankrupt you, hopefully and is one of the cheapest things to look at

If you have coolant in radiator/header tank and the level does not go up and down too much I doubt its the headgasket, any oil in the water, water in the oil?

Not having the vehicle in front of me makes diagnosis a tad difficult, there are other checks you can do for head gasket diagnosis, but your local garage are happy with it

Kingo

[Guest]

Thanks Kingo. The fan is definitely working (kicking in and switching off at the right temperatures). The thermostat has been taken out and is reading properly and opening up at the right temp.

I will check re oil / water but the garage haven't mentioned that. Coolant level has been consistent the whole time. They've had it in to diagnose three times and the only thing they found was the water pump not working the first time, but the indicator light is still coming on from time to time. I'm starting to think that it's just the light that's faulty! Is the indicator light driven by the thermostat temp, does anyone know?

What's really weird is that the light tends to come on when I'm on the motorway and you'd think it would be less likely to do it then as there's more airflow going through the engine.

[Guest]

Ok, I am now desparate - please please offer some advice if you can.

They replaced the coolant sensor and I saw no improvement. The engine malfunction light started to come on as well and eventually the garage diagnosed a head gasket failure (after the earlier statement that it definitely wasn't - they said they ran an engine block test which it originally passed, but was now failing). This was quoted at £700 to replace and fit (apparently it's a lot of labour because it's a cam chain not belt??).

I then received a phonecall to say that they had sent the cylinder head off to be machined and that it had been returned as irreparable because it was cracked - a new cylinder head would be another £800.

All this is done, but they have put the car back together and can't get it to run under it's own power, but will run if they artificially introduce fuel to it. They strip the engine back 3 times and rebuild it - can find no faults and say it's electrical. Their specialist has looked at it today and says that the fuel pump has failed and will be another £700 for the part (and they'll fit it for free).

This latest failing has sent me off on one. They said that the fuel pump may have lasted longer had they not done the work to date and yes, they have accelerated the problem, but the life span of a fuel pump is only 80,000 and mine has done nearly 100,000 so it would have happened anyway, ergo, more money please.

Can anyone offer any thoughts / advice / support on this? I need to call the garage back and tell them whether or not to do the work but am too angry right now.

[viperroom_112]

holy ***** !!! sorry

but if i were you i would be taking it to another garage. We are not talking small sums of money here, so if you can afford to and its viable try a different garage.

David

[Guest]

Thanks David, but unfortunately I can't take it anywhere at the moment as it's not working. I have authorised them to do the head gasket and cylinder head (£1500 agreed upper limit), but without the fuel pump being repaired it won't run.

I'm wondering if they can legitimately charge me for the fuel pump when they can't evidence there having been a problem with it before now i.e. it has been caused by them. They have serviced the car for me a few times since I've had it (the only work they haven't done was the repair work after the accident).

I can't even afford to pay under protest and go through a dispute afterwards - a) I don't have that kind of money and B ) If I take it then I have to give their hire car back, leaving me stranded.

[blackcts]

Hmmm, to be honest if it was me i would just buy a low mileage newish Yaris D4D engine and get it fitted...bound to get one for around/under a grand and a few hundred for fitting. You will get an engine with much lower miles and most come with a 3 month warranty.

Is it really viable spending any more than that on a Yaris with 100k???

[Rayburn]

Hmmm, to be honest if it was me i would just buy a low mileage newish Yaris D4D engine and get it fitted...bound to get one for around/under a grand and a few hundred for fitting. You will get an engine with much lower miles and most come with a 3 month warranty.

Is it really viable spending any more than that on a Yaris with 100k???

In my opinion, and this is My opinion.

The garage in question seems to have been grasping at straws. Water pump? Then head gasket? Fuel pump? All this seems to be a little unbeliveable.

But, knowing as I do about anything mechanical, sometimes these things hapen.

As blackcts says; I would have advised an engine right from the Headgasket stage. But that could well be hindsight.

If removing the Cylinder head finds it is cracked, no q second hand engine specially at 100k.

I think a Big Pow wow with the Boss of the garage is needed here.

You cant just keep saying this has gone when the other items ie, fuel pump/waterpump were working before ok....?

Good luck mate and now think of cutting your losses.

Tell him to keep the car as payment, it cant be worth much now anyway. Go buy another car.

R

Ps. I dont mean to rubbish your car, but I hope as well as other guys on here you will be able to make an informed decision.