vauxhall vectra 53 reg Problem with water system/light

swifty23

Iv got a 53 plate vauxhall vetra 2.2 petrol.
I'v had this car for 16 months never ever had a problem with it, untill now.
It all started about 3 months ago. I checked the water, oil etc etc before leaving my parents house which is chesterfield i live in edinburgh. Everything was fine, my dad said to top the water up a tad so i did. Well since then iv had nothing but hassle with the water light.
It keeps coming on.
I can drive for like 600 miles and the light doesnt come on no worries. Then i can drive 5 miles and it comes on. Its so hit and miss.
However the water level does seem to go up and down. Its not leaking anywhere when i top it up.
the car hasnt lost any performance or anything it drives perfect.
On one occasion about a month ago the water light came on whilst i was again driving back from chesterfield. i stopped at services a trucker had a look for me. he touched a valve thingy and released some water. he said the water should have been red hot but it was cold. He let some water out of the system, and th car worked great for a few weeks then the dam light came back and i have the problem all over again.
Iv had this to the garage twice and they cant find a faullt also had RAC out to it and he couldnt find anything wrong.
ANy ideas as its sending me loopy, and it makes me realy nervous when going somewhere incase the light comes on.
I carry 5 bottles of water in the boot now im that paranoid haha.
I appreciate any help given .
Cheers guys.
Donna x

goldspanners

going by the trucker saying the water should be hot but its cold would suggest a blocked radiator or knackered water pump.
how much water did you need to top it up with the first time you did?

swifty23

I topped it up like about half a small jug full not much at all. Its weird as it runs fine for days then all of a sudden the light comes on and the waters a wee bit low. Then other times the light comes on and the water level is fine???

swifty23

I forgot to mention theres also crap in the water where i fill it up. Sme of its settled in the tank but some floats its hard to describe like a !!!!!! residue, not oil but somehitng similar.

banger9365

you have not tightend the water cap right they are a pain to do ,i have it for nearly a year before VX worked it out ,when you think it's tight ,tighten it some more not too much that you brake it mind you,well that's what it was on mine and i lost a ltr in 14 miles at times when i have a vetra 03