Astra catastrophic loss of coolant

Stephen · 2013-08-01T18:23:41+00:00

Hello again, We seem to be having terrible luck with our Astra. Tonight OH drove home and said she heard a noise from under the bonnet. Wheni got home I had a look and the hose that goes from the engine to the (I think it is) the heater matrix has become detached from the engine. Reading the Haynes book, I think it is actually the coolant pump. It looks to me as though there is a small plastic stub (what's the proper name for this?) that screws into the metal pump body and protrudes into the hose, into which it is secured by a clip. This small plastic stub has snapped and half remains in the pump body and half remains in the hose. I presume that I can drill the old one out and fit a new one but I do not know what to ask for at the parts counter. Please can you tell me? How could this happen. Nothing should have knocked it to snap it. Is it just the effects of age and heat? We do not know when the hose detached. My OH didn't notice any steam or noises from under the bonnet. Should she have? There is no coolant in any of the hoses I have checked. I think it has all evaporated or been pumped out. How long can you drive an engine without coolant before it fails? What would be the signs? Presumably I fix the broken part, refill, and then let it idle and hope for the best? Thanks, Stephen.

Aug 01, 2013 41 Replies

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Stuart 12 years ago

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Stuart 12 years ago

The only experience I have of a temperature gauge working was on an L-plate Xantia. As I was driving along the motorway a plastic bag blew onto the radiator grill. The needle climbed slowly as I drove along the motorway. I stopped at the next exit and removed the bag and the temperature fell again but the needle movement was definitely analogue, not cold, ok, and dangerous. But perhaps a Xantia doesn't count as modern?

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