Zafira -Engine Cooked after Coolant system Failure

Retrogamer

In my experience when my last car lost all coolant the temp would always go towards the red (1999 Corsa

Strider590

maninthestreet wrote: »

In my experience, complete loss of coolant results in the water temperature gauge registering 'Cold'. The heater blowing out cold air seems to agree with that, but OP's wife claims the gauge was registering normal operating temperature when the problem occurred.

The car in question should also have a low coolant level switch and would display a warning on the dash. The warning light would start coming on first on LH/RH bends and it would stay on until the car was restarted.
If this didn't occur, then I'd be wondering why (switch bypassed?).

mark55man

OK - couldn't get to the garage today they were too busy so will do that tomorrow.

did I check the coolant - yes after one month when I was showing DS around the engine. Have I sometimes left it longer - yes - such a catastrophic failure is outside my experience therefore I tend to do stuff when I notice the first warning signs not on a regular schedule - I understand that will weaken my credibility but in this case a monthly check did happen. I also did drive the car reasonably often so would have spotted anything incremental

very interested in Ranger8's costing - I was being quoted a lot more than that - and it is on warranty for £1000 so that might be very helpful so long as i can find a garage that will buy for me off ebay !!

mark55man

Ranger8 wrote: »

From £250 and £100 fitting
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2055359.m570.l2632.R2.TR6.TRC1.A0.H1.Xzafira+1.6+engine.TRS0&_nkw=zafira+1.6+engine&ghostText=&_sacat=9884

For clarity it was the 1.8 but thanks very much - most interesting

AdrianC

mark88man wrote: »

did I check the coolant - yes after one month when I was showing DS around the engine.

And was it down at that point? If not, then that makes any pre-existing fault unlikely, and suggests something has failed. That failure is almost certainly due to either "wear and tear" on a 12yo vehicle, or road risks such as the flying stone I suggested. Only an inspection of the vehicle will tell you what.

therefore I tend to do stuff when I notice the first warning signs not on a regular schedule
I also did drive the car reasonably often so would have spotted anything incremental

Which is exactly why you should be checking levels regularly - any car's owner's handbook will suggest weekly or so. That way, you are more likely to spot the "first warning signs" of "anything incremental" before they become major problems. You won't get advance warning of sudden failures, such as a burst or dislodged hose, or a radiator that's been pierced by a stone, of course.

forgotmyname

Fluids should be checked weekly. This seems to be a lost art these days. Far too many seem to be treating the bonnet as a sealed unit, Never to be opened.

Ranger8

mark88man wrote: »

For clarity it was the 1.8 but thanks very much - most interesting

Look even cheaper

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_odkw=zafira+1.6+engine&_from=R40&_osacat=9884&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR3.TRC1.A0.H0.Xzafira+1.8+engine.TRS0&_nkw=zafira+1.8+engine&ghostText=&_sacat=9884

kaya

I think you'll find the SOGA doesn't apply to secondhand goods

Marktheshark

The 1.8 16v is a engine with a strong reputation for popping head gaskets.
It is not a "big repair" for a skilled mechanic, rather quite a routine one they should be more than skilled to tackle.
Takes about 6-8 hours spread over 3 days if they have a contact for the head skimming.
From what you have said so far it does not sound like your mechanic is up to the job or he would gave already contacted you with a price.

motorguy

kaya wrote: »

I think you'll find the SOGA doesn't apply to secondhand goods

I think you'll find you're wrong.