Engine Overheat - Radiator Cracked

**pussy_lover** Sun Jun 19, 2011 8:51 am

Not sure where i should put this, mod please move to correct section..
5 years and over 160,000km, my radiator has had enough and developed a crack. This was not obvious but last Friday nite (17/6), my engine overheated. I first notice the aircon not cold but dismiss it as no gas maybe. Then notice the engine temperature gauge at "H". Immediately knew something is really wrong. Parked the car safely in a carpark and when i open the bonnet, there was steam coming from the radiator. Opened the coolant reservoir cap carefully and it had dried up. I waited about 20mins for what i thought the engine to cool sufficiently before filling water. Immediately, some hissing sound and more steam emerged, engine not suffiently cool yet. Waited another 10mins or so before filling with water again. Notice some rust coloured water dripping from radiator. Initially thought could be loose joints or leaked hose. Anyway, engine could start normally and temperature was at "normal'. Drove home and cancelled all plans for the nite (including the planned meet-up).

Had my ride checked a Hairi's the next day. Confirmed a 6cm crack at top of the radiator. Water must have seeped out slowly and when finally all drained out, engine overheated. No other damages, hoses still in good condition. As the top of the radiator is made of hard plastic (don't know the actual name), its impossible to do a welding repair. Has it replaced with a brand new one (original part). Coolant was topped up, everything tested ok and all back to normal. Total damage - $398 including new radiator, coolant and labour. Take it as my "Father's Day" present to my ride. Guess my new lens purchase have to postpone. Have a great Father's Day...!

**Ikon** Mon Jun 20, 2011 2:12 am

Ya...care to elaborate "rust color water"? You use tap water to mix with your coolant huh?

**Admin** Mon Jun 20, 2011 2:21 am

Moved from Kopi Tiam to here. Thanks

**starstruck96** Mon Jun 20, 2011 11:13 am

lucky for u bro...at least u stopped n checked b4 it gets worse.
$398 total cost is reasonable mah...
anyways...if its been leaking coolant + water...there would be a stain in ur engine compartment as well as the floor u parked the car mah ..u didnt notice ehh..?
for me periodic checked @ engine b4 driving off..back den my reservoir cracke n engine overheated too...chg myself n good to go...
Happy Fathers to Us oso..cheers brOs lol!

**pussy_lover** Mon Jun 20, 2011 2:24 pm

Ikon wrote:Ya...care to elaborate "rust color water"? You use tap water to mix with your coolant huh?

Guess during ignorant early days, when the coolant was changed with timing belt package, workshop must have mixed the coolant with tap water. Anyway, I'll be very careful with this new radiator and won't make the same mistake.

**pussy_lover** Mon Jun 20, 2011 2:27 pm

starstruck96 wrote:lucky for u bro...at least u stopped n checked b4 it gets worse.
$398 total cost is reasonable mah...
anyways...if its been leaking coolant + water...there would be a stain in ur engine compartment as well as the floor u parked the car mah ..u didnt notice ehh..?
for me periodic checked @ engine b4 driving off..back den my reservoir cracke n engine overheated too...chg myself n good to go...
Happy Fathers to Us oso..cheers brOs

I checked engine compartment weekly and there was no such stain. Never checked the floor though.. Just my luck lah but then again 5 years and more than 160,000km, can't really complain lah..

**Ikon** Mon Jun 20, 2011 9:22 pm

pussy_lover wrote:
starstruck96 wrote:lucky for u bro...at least u stopped n checked b4 it gets worse.
$398 total cost is reasonable mah...
anyways...if its been leaking coolant + water...there would be a stain in ur engine compartment as well as the floor u parked the car mah ..u didnt notice ehh..?
for me periodic checked @ engine b4 driving off..back den my reservoir cracke n engine overheated too...chg myself n good to go...
Happy Fathers to Us oso..cheers brOs

I checked engine compartment weekly and there was no such stain. Never checked the floor though.. Just my luck lah but then again 5 years and more than 160,000km, can't really complain lah..