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Empty engine coolant

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Arsenal2019
Arsenal2019 Posts: 551 Forumite
Eighth Anniversary 100 Posts Name Dropper
edited 1 February at 1:49PM in Motoring
Hello all

i have a Vauxhall corsa 69plate and I have had it for a few years

two days ago, I my engine light came on and a message to stop the vehicle so I did. After a short while wait I managed again to get it home.

Yesterday, I first started the car and as it was very cold& my windscreen was misted, I went to put on the heating and immediately a puff of dust / dirt came up from the vents& there was an awful smell, like burning metal. Also, the heaters weren’t really working, even after the engine been on for 15 mins. 

I then turned the engine off and lifted the bonnet up and it appeared as tho engine coolant reservoir was empty. Like bone dry.

i have since purchased a 5 litre bottle of it and i topped it up yesterday and came back to my car today and it was empty and ive again topped it up to between the min / max line.m

ivw taken the car for a drive today now the engine coolant level is at the right spot and obvs I’ve drive with the heating on to try fix the  misty windows and I’ve noticed there is  smoke / steam coming from within the car!

does anyone know if the heating not working / windows steaming up, the smell and the lack of engine coolant may be correlated?

I’ve had a look on google as people talk about heating matrix being faulty and this sounds expensive

im however hoping that now the engine coolant level will be right, it will be solved. 
«13

Comments

  • Ayr_Rage
    Ayr_Rage Posts: 2,686 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Second Anniversary Photogenic Name Dropper
    If the coolant has disappeared to such a degree get it to a garage for a diagnosis right now before you destroy the engine.

    If you've no heating it could be an airlock in the system and yes, it's all related.
  • Ectophile
    Ectophile Posts: 7,966 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    I'm surprised the thing is still even running.
    The heater runs off the cooling system.  If there is no water, the heater won't work.  If there is an airlock in the eystem, it won't work either.
    Smoke and burning smells are a strong hint that turning off the engine would be a good idea!
    You need to find out where the water is going before the engine seizes completely.
    If it sticks, force it.
    If it breaks, well it wasn't working right anyway.
  • Arsenal2019
    Arsenal2019 Posts: 551 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 100 Posts Name Dropper
    Ectophile said:
    I'm surprised the thing is still even running.
    The heater runs off the cooling system.  If there is no water, the heater won't work.  If there is an airlock in the eystem, it won't work either.
    Smoke and burning smells are a strong hint that turning off the engine would be a good idea!
    You need to find out where the water is going before the engine seizes completely.
    Ah that’s doesn’t sound good 

    the coolant system  level is now set in the correct position between the min / max level but the smell and poor clearing of the windows still persists
  • Ayr_Rage
    Ayr_Rage Posts: 2,686 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Second Anniversary Photogenic Name Dropper
    Have you also checked how much coolant is in the radiator as well as the coolant tank?

    Take the cap off when the vehicle is completely cold.
  • Nobbie1967
    Nobbie1967 Posts: 1,666 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Sounds like your heater matrix has sprung a leak which is causing the steaming inside the car. I had this on a 107 and tried some K-Seal on it as a quick bodge while I sourced a new matrix. To my surprise the bodge lasted until I scrapped the car 3 or 4 years later.
  • Arsenal2019
    Arsenal2019 Posts: 551 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 100 Posts Name Dropper
    Ayr_Rage said:
    Have you also checked how much coolant is in the radiator as well as the coolant tank?

    Take the cap off when the vehicle is completely cold.
    Hi I have yes. And that level seems to be where it should be 
  • Arsenal2019
    Arsenal2019 Posts: 551 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 100 Posts Name Dropper
    Sounds like your heater matrix has sprung a leak which is causing the steaming inside the car. I had this on a 107 and tried some K-Seal on it as a quick bodge while I sourced a new matrix. To my surprise the bodge lasted until I scrapped the car 3 or 4 years later.
    Hi thanks for replying. That’s interesting’ I presume you can but this from anywhere and it would be a case of just pouring it in the coolant bay, the same you would for coolant? And I think you’re nailed on about the heater matrix as most post on Google I’ve read suggest the same. 

    I’ll post a picture in my next post and I have three of the four symptoms 
  • Arsenal2019
    Arsenal2019 Posts: 551 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 100 Posts Name Dropper
    .here is a photo 
  • Arsenal2019
    Arsenal2019 Posts: 551 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 100 Posts Name Dropper
    I’ve bought and put K seal in. HOPEFULLY that works 
  • motorguy
    motorguy Posts: 22,611 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    I’ve bought and put K seal in. HOPEFULLY that works 
    I would tread with extreme caution.

    You are one bad day and one journey away from needing a new engine in that car IF that heater matrix leaks again and best case right now is you're likely running with an air locked system.

    You may not be as lucky as Nobby was.

    A heater matrix isnt a wildy expensive thing to replace, relative to the price of a new engine or new car, so i'd be seriously considering where you go from here.


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