I have a 97 1.6 Escort which is prone to heating up very quickly when stuck in traffic. Took it to a garage and they couldn't find anything wrong!!!!
The fan comes on when it should and the top hose going into the radiator is as hot as the rest of the engine; ruling out the thermostat.
Could a coolant change do the trick?
The garage said the pump was working fine, i cant think of anything else.
Thanks
Is it actually overheating though- i.e. is it loosing water, or is the expansion bottle water boiling?
Tim..
It isn't loosing water, the water hasn't boiled either; only because i have stuck the heating on full to prevent it!!
Has the coolant itself been checked - I came across a similar problem when some numpty had refilled the cooling system with undiluted antifreeze....
Are you just going from the temp gauge on the dash?
Flush the radiator through internally with a hose pipe. & then check the fan again.
I am indeed!!! However the engine seems to be incredibly hot to the touch more so than other cars i've had.
I havn't checked the coolant itself, i am contemplating renewing the coolant and checking the thermostat at the same time. How easy is this for a complete novice?
Easy :-) Make sure you get the new thermostat gasket/seal & buy a new jubilee clip for the hose (you prabably won't need it but they're always handy).
Is there actually water in the top hose? steam can heat a hose, but provides no appreciable cooling
run the engine till it is near-overheating, and feel the rad all over, not the hose.. if the rad isnt hot or warm, then your hot water is going though but not cooling down feel the bottom hose too..
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