Is the head gasket going?

Gavin78

Just one question here and forgive me being totally thick, but do I ever have to top up the radiator? It's something I have never done and only ever put water in the coolant tank at the back..

Well I can't drive but I did call the wife today as she drives roughly 6 miles to work 6 miles back (at her mothers at the moment) but she did also drive out about 2 miles for dinner this afternoon and she said she hasn't heard it bubbling once?

The fan has been kicking in as usual and the temp gauge on the car when its been sat a while sits on cold and gradually as the engine warms up sits around the middle mark which it always has done since we got the car 3 years ago. I haven't noticed any steam coming from the exhaust. the oil is clean and looks the same as always.

the car has been acting normal no different than usual. the only things we haven't tried yet is taking the radiator cap off and having a look and check the blowers in the car to see if they are working ok.

There is no oil leaks, water or anything coming from the car. I must admit its not had a service in 3 or 4 years.

I know some mention a faulty gauge for the temp but surely it wouldn't work at all? or do what it has always done for the last 3 years start at cold and gradually work its way to the middle and sit there?

Car it getting looked at tomorrow at motosave if they can't do anything will have to book it into a garage.

I will mention though that this problem only started on saturday with the really hot weather and had been running around most of the day.

We drove in the car 15 miles yesterday and there was no bubbling in the coolant but when we drove back it was bubbling. so it's not doing it all the time

Retrogamer

If no other symptoms i would probably ignore.

Some old cars you topped up the coolant via a radiator cap and more modern cars use a header / expansion tank. I know some cars have both, but i'd use the header tank personally to top it up.

I'd be far more concerned with premature engine failure though via other problems if it's not had a service in the last 3-4 years

if you plan to keep the car a while longer i'd get a full service done personally. Spark plugs, fuel filter, coolant drained and replaced, air filter and oil and oil filter and depending on milage and if it has one a timing belt.

Strider590

^^ As long as the expansion tank is to the mark, it should be fine. You need to get some coolant mix in there though (as this helps to stop it boiling), but also boiling indicates a loss of pressure, which if there are no leaks almost certainly has to be the cap on the expansion tank or a jammed thermostat.

When it's running hot, do the pipes near the radiator feel hot?

If your not actually losing water, then boiling can really be the only problem.

Weird_Nev

The coolant system is linked. You should check the level on the radiator - it's graduated (normall). The other tank is just an expansion/catch tank and can't be relied upon to give an accurate level. That said, you shouldn't have to top up a coolant system at all. If it's losing water, something is wrong.

BEware, it's a pressurised system (when the engine is running) and can be boiling. Do not inspecti it on a hot engine (rad caps need to stay on).

It COULD just be the coolant boiling in the hot weather, but I'd expect the needle to be up in the red for that to happen.

Get it to a garage, they'll diagnose it far more accurately then a bunch of no-marks on the internet. That's what the "sniffer" test is for - to see if the bubbles contain exhaust gasses (bad) or are just boiling coolant (slightly less bad)>

And get it serviced too. Not servicing a car for 3-4 years is just neglectful.

Gavin78

I took it to our local motosave and the guy had a look at the oil, oil cap and our expansion tank.

the manager then came out to have a look, he told us that a lot of cars usually lose water underneath the car when pressure builds up. but in cars like we have (chrysler neon) they have an expansion tank to let pressure out. he said looking at the car it looks fine and it is probably the hot weather we have had in the last few days that has been making it bubble.

He said he can't see it being the gasket going. He suggested he have a look at the radiator later on once the engine has cooled down I did go out to look but couldn't get the cap off once I turned it.

Googled it and found out why so will have another go tomorrow.

TradePro

Gavin78 wrote: »

I don't have a clue about cars but I have a 52 plate chrysler neon

That sentence works so perfectly

Sorry buddy, couldn't resist.