1.7 Opel Combo 98 Isuzu engine overheating

Hi

hope it's OK to ask about an Opel here.

Just had the timing belt, water pump, service (oil and filters) and a
few other jobs done on my van. Coolant had been leaking badly from the
water pump area for some weeks before I got the job done, but I was
careful to keep it topped up so I'm hopeful no damage was done to head
or head gasket. It was quite difficult for mechanics to remove bolts
because of corrosion around water pump area.

All jobs are now done, but unfortunately I'm now experiencing massive
overheating, and loss of coolant.



Some symptoms I can describe for you:

- coolant spills onto ground when I stop the van, but I can't see
where it is coming from. Coolant is ice cold, and so is radiator, even
after driving for some miles;

- the oil does not seem to be discoloured;

- even after stopping the engine I can hear a slight rush of air from
the engine area - again, I am not able to pinpoint exactly where it's
coming from;

- leaving internal heater blowing keeps the temperature gauge down
while driving;

- when I first checked the coolant expansion tank after getting the
van back from the mechanic I noticed very slight bubbling (this was
without the engine running). The coolant also seemed to be dirty, and I
would have expected it to be clean. Perhaps the cooling system including
radiator wasn't flushed?

- coolant expansion tank cap seal seems to be OK.


Would appreciate some pointers before I bring this back to the mechanic
Monday morning. I don't mind having to shell out on a new rad and
thermostat if it comes to it but am dreading the prospect of a blown
head gasket. Please tell me it ain't so!

 

I should clarify that the coolant which spills is ice cold, but the
coolant in the expansion tank is boiling hot.

 

I should clarify that the coolant which spills is ice cold, but the
coolant in the expansion tank is boiling hot.

 

Two things come to mind. A blocked of otherwise stuck closed thermostat
And/or a collapsed or damaged lower hose to the radiator.
Or even the wrong gasket on the water pump
Either way it needs fixing; I would think about a tow in rather than
driving it to the workshop as you are risking engine damage.

 

Thanks Peter. It appears to me they used sealant between the water pump
and the block; perhaps this is the problem. If the thermostat was
blocked or stuck would I have the internal heater working?

 

Yes you would. The thermostat just controls the hot water admission to
the radiator. The heater is direct from the hot side of the engine. If
the flow to the rad is blocked it will boil up and probably eject water
from where the hoses leak easiest. If this is low down then the leak
will be cold, that's why I suggest the bottom hose needs checking.
Fairly obviously you aren't getting any flow through the radiator or
everything would get warm