overheating

Deanna Bell · Post by **Deanna Bell** » Thu May 01, 2003 6:17 pm

I checked the water in the radiator of my 1990 MX5 a few days ago and noticed
that there was a bit of rust floating in the water. Two days later I was
driving around Auckland and the car started smoking from the bonnet. After
inspection it was steam and the water in the radiator was boiling and the temp
was on high. I have never had any problems before, was it just a disaster
waiting to happen? It has never overheated before. There isn't a leak as the
water is still full, I am extremely mechanically challenged, what do I do
first? Do I need a new radiator and how much does that cost? Any suggestions
would be appreciated.

Thanks
Deanna

SLYDIT · Post by **SLYDIT** » Thu May 01, 2003 6:39 pm

Id start by flushing out the radiator and fitting a
new thermostat for good measure. a radiator shop or
mechanic shouldnt charge more than about an hour for
this work. Also get them to check out the heater hoses
on the back of the engine as these are known to split
and leak.
Hope this helps
Glenn "SLYDIT"

Michael Donovan · Post by **Michael Donovan** » Thu May 01, 2003 8:57 pm

Also try pulling your oil dip stick out and seeing if there is any sign of
water in the oil. That would indicate you could have a blown cylinder head
gasket, which would require an engine partial stripdown to repair.
Mine started overheating quite a while back and I took it to a radiator shop
and they pulled the top off the radiator and brushed out all the crud from
all the small channels.
Have not had any problems since..that was over a year ago I think.
Good luck

Mike

Chic & Morven · Post by **Chic & Morven** » Thu May 01, 2003 9:27 pm

Deanna,

I am extremely mechanically challenged, what do I do first?

Check the simple things first. Is there anything blocking the flow of air to the radiator? No plastic bags in the 'mouth' or anything?
Do you have the number plate mounted in there?

Chic.
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Fletch · Post by **Fletch** » Thu May 01, 2003 9:40 pm

I'd check that you re-fitted the cap properly... the car can steam and
overheat if the system doesnt get pressurized properly,

The cap has a two-step twist fit... If you only twisted it the first bit, it
may not be sealed properly.

Fletch.

Post by **zorruno** » Thu May 01, 2003 9:49 pm

could be a water pump failure too, but hopefully not as it is an expensive
task to get repaired. I'd suggest as per others that a flush is the best
thing to start with (It is not too difficult) and check the thermostat (or
replace it - there are a couple of procedules floating around on the net
about how to check it). - but when running again watch the temp gauge
closely & don't carry on if getting too hot. Let us know the results.

btw I think I've fixed my water leak problems of the other day - will give a
report soon.

Post by **zorruno** » Thu May 01, 2003 10:15 pm

ahh yes - one of the old "touch it and it breaks soon after" tricks - been
there

lou Girardin · Post by **lou Girardin** » Fri May 02, 2003 8:40 am

If you can do the work yourself, fit a new rad cap and thermostat. For what
they cost it's not worth mucking around. Put a can of rad flush through the
system first and flush the cooling system with a garden hose in the reverse to
normal flow. If you're going to a mechanic, get him to test the rad cap and
thermostat first, before replacing. Then reverse flush the rad. Doing it this
way will isolate where the problem lies. If none of this works, you'll need
the rad stripped and cleaned.
Lou

rotarypower · Post by **rotarypower** » Fri May 02, 2003 9:14 am

bring it over to rotary power and ill check it out cheers glenn

Deanna Bell wrote:

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