Coolant Temperature

[lagz33]

Hello all

Have had a few issues with radiator and pipes and afterrun pumps all deciding to crack and leak on me, so my engine has ran a tad hot a few times. Have replaced all of those parts and lastly waiting on a new expansion tank as current one is cracked leaking water everywhere.

So the problem, after 5-10 minutes the coolant temp warning light starts going off even though the engine temp gauge is not even at 90 yet, surely thats my thermostat thats probably been cooked no?

Or should I be worried that it is actually overheating :S

[johne]

If the gauge hasn't reached 90 I'd doubt it's your thermostat.

When you say temp light goes off are you sure it isn't the low coolant sensor in the expansion tank that's triggering autocheck?

John

[lagz33]

Its this sign

[johne]

That's the coolant level too low or the coolant temperature too high warning. Given your gauge reading I'd bet it was triggered by coolant too low in this case.

The one time I saw this warning on my car was when I'd driven off with the expansion tank cap missing

I thought I'd overheated the engine when in fact all I'd done was start to run it out of coolant.

John

[lagz33]

Ok, it must be losing more than a full 1.5L bottle of water a day then!
Thanks for your help mate

[andy10v]

Try unplugging the coolant level sensor on the header tank, if the light goes away that is your culprit. (or top up the coolant if required)

[mouse]

I just had the same thing and the header tank had cracked where the small hose connects to it.
New tank and 1.5 of coolant went in last night and all is well.

Even though you coolant might not be overheating there could be air pockets in the cooling system so it would be best not to drive too much with the level low.

There is also a guide sticky'd somewhere on here on the procedure for bleeding air out of the cooling system once you've fixed all the holes.

Here ur is: http://www.s2forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=46952