my a2 has done 166k on an 02 reg & this fault has just started.temp gauge stays static when warm at 90 then after 10 or so miles it rises fairly quickly to boiling point & then pumps water out of vent hole in header tank.just had fan senser unit replaced £125.00 but no difference.any one had any similar problem. please help :S
car overheats if driven over 60 mph
- Thread starter guyboy
- Start date
Skipton01
Admin Team
Perhaps Spike can offer some more info on this, but to me, it sounds like a possible head gasket problem or a slightly warped head (which although dar from common, are not unheard of in A2s).
Another possibility is a failing water pump, which will eventually lead to the first possible cause happening.
If the car has covered the mileage you say, treat it to a full once over before things get beyond repair.
Cheers,
Mike
PS Great location name - Steeple Bumpstead!
Another possibility is a failing water pump, which will eventually lead to the first possible cause happening.
If the car has covered the mileage you say, treat it to a full once over before things get beyond repair.
Cheers,
Mike
PS Great location name - Steeple Bumpstead!
ianjohnsonws14
Member
Could be a thermostat not opening - try posting on the Technical forum here
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/threads.htm?pg=0&f=4
Very knowledgeable and normally quick answers.
Would not drive it until I knew what the problem was - could do more damage.
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/threads.htm?pg=0&f=4
Very knowledgeable and normally quick answers.
Would not drive it until I knew what the problem was - could do more damage.
Hi g maddox, welcome to the A2oc
The most likely causes are as Mike and Ian suggest. I would be tempted to check the thermostat first as this is relatively inexpensive - you can test the stat by dangling it in a pan of water on a piece of string. The centre spring loaded disc should move off its seat and be fully open (about 6mm) by the time the water boils. Pull it out and it should close fairly quickly as it cools. .
I have heard tales of water pump impellers coming loose when hot so if your pump has never been replaced this is also a possibility
Check out the attached thread for more info on headgaskets
http://www.a2oc.net/forum/showthread.php?t=4035&highlight=headgasket
Hopefully markross may read this and let us know how his car was fixed
Cheers Spike
The most likely causes are as Mike and Ian suggest. I would be tempted to check the thermostat first as this is relatively inexpensive - you can test the stat by dangling it in a pan of water on a piece of string. The centre spring loaded disc should move off its seat and be fully open (about 6mm) by the time the water boils. Pull it out and it should close fairly quickly as it cools. .
I have heard tales of water pump impellers coming loose when hot so if your pump has never been replaced this is also a possibility
Check out the attached thread for more info on headgaskets
http://www.a2oc.net/forum/showthread.php?t=4035&highlight=headgasket
Hopefully markross may read this and let us know how his car was fixed
Cheers Spike
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It does sound like exactly the same problem I had. I tried a new water pump & thermostat, but in the end replacing the cylinder head fixed it.
In my quest to find out what was wrong with my car, I have discovered several other people with exactly the same problem, so I'm thinking it is a fault with the A2 itself.
The really bad thing is that most of the time you won't be able to skim the head either, so you will nearly always need a new part. So all you happy A2 owners beware, you could have a very expensive repair coming your way soon!
In my quest to find out what was wrong with my car, I have discovered several other people with exactly the same problem, so I'm thinking it is a fault with the A2 itself.
The really bad thing is that most of the time you won't be able to skim the head either, so you will nearly always need a new part. So all you happy A2 owners beware, you could have a very expensive repair coming your way soon!
Did you notice any symptoms before the major overheating started ?
Normally cyl head warping / gasket failure starts with a gradual loss of coolant from a damaged radiator core, hose or leaking water pump seal. If not caught in time the head runs very hot and goes saucer shaped, damaging the gasket in the process.
Cheers Spike
Normally cyl head warping / gasket failure starts with a gradual loss of coolant from a damaged radiator core, hose or leaking water pump seal. If not caught in time the head runs very hot and goes saucer shaped, damaging the gasket in the process.
Cheers Spike