Help: Peugeot 206, Coolant temp too high??!!

lauradora

Hi there,

Hoping someone can help me. I had this problem last year which just went away with the warmer weather!

After the car has been running for about 20 mins the (water) temp gauge shoots up and the STOP warning flashes and beeps. On the dash computer it says ENGINE COOLANT TEMP. TOO HIGH.

This has only happened the last few nights when the temp has dropped below 0 degrees.

As I said this happened last year and no fault could be found.

Anyone any ideas what this is??? Is it just a coincidence or does my little red car just hate the cold weather????

Any help greatley appreciated.

vax2002

change the thermostat, fault or no fault, dont listen, make them do it !
then make sure it has got the correct antifreeze in

spike7451

Might sound daft,but is the enough coolant in the reseviour tank?...It could be that the engine temp shot up & a radiator seal has blown.(That happened to me not so long ago)

lauradora

thanks guys!! Is changing the thermostat a job I culd do myself??!!
And is this related to the weather or just a coincidence??

spike7451

Not sure Laura,but one thing to be aware of is the Pug 206 is,apparently a notorious fault, the Load sensing/regulating valve assembly on the rear drivers side brake fails.Mine did on MOT & was fixed with a tin of WD40 & a screwdriver.

Notmyrealname

Only happens in cold weather - wonder if there's no antifreeze in and the water is freezing....

Strider590

Notmyrealname wrote: »

Only happens in cold weather - wonder if there's no antifreeze in and the water is freezing....

Could be this, the rad could be a block of ice..... Should be able to see if it's frozen as I think all pugs have the reservoir on the side of the radiator, thus any ice floating about would give you a clue.

The thermostat is also VERY likely, these things tend to stick and stop water routing into the radiator = same result as above.

It's curious how it only happens in cold weather though, as the thermostat sticking would cause overheating much faster in warmer weather.

Get the anti-freeze checked to make sure it's not just water and do it soon, if it freezes back into the engine the ice will destroy the water pump and you'd be looking at cambelt(ish) costs to replace (so £300-£400) or worse it could crack the engine block (£1500-£4000 for a new engine).

Norman_Castle

After the car has been running for about 20 mins the (water) temp gauge shoots up and the STOP warning flashes and beeps.

It may be that in the very cold weather you have the heater and fan on high from cold. After nearly 20 minutes you turn the heat or fan down and the thermostat is slow to respond.

lauradora

Thanks for your advice guys. I finally got my hands on a copy of a haynes manual so have looked at the job of changing the thermostat and it doesnt look simple :eek: but might drag in some assistance and see what I can find out. also it gives instructions on how to test the thermostat before getting another one.

Wish me luck!

Norman_Castle

Might be worth checking this first
http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090109014414AAPq0lC

Theres a common fault with peugeots where one of the earth straps breaks off causing symptoms similar to what you have described. Does the temp guage move when different things are switched on (heated rear screen, indicators etc)? If yes then its an easy fix, the part is only £5 (18" earth strap frm any motor factors).

However unless you're good with spanners you should get a mechanic to do it, it only takes 15 mins (if he charges you more than £20 he's at it).

Lift the bonnet, look down onto the gearbox for a thick black wire attached to a bolt (13mm), the wire should run from there over to the inner wing on the passenger side (another bolt 10mm or 13mm), If i'm right this wire will be broken at the gearbox end of it.

This info is only correct for this specific fault, if you are unsure in any way dont attempt to fix it on your own, let a mechanic look at it for you.