Right it's got worse guys....

just gone to move the car and we noticed that the coolant level was minimum and that the rad has lost water on the bottom right :S

Started the car after about 30secs of ticking it over then revving it so that it would start up. moved it forward and then went to reverse and the engine cut out. the car would then not restart for minutes and several times of keeping the ignition on with nothing but a 'ticking over'.

now me and the girlfriends dad have thought...

definately needs a new rad but what is the starting problem?

starter motor or automatic choke????

really need to sort this in the next two weeks as the gf finishes her course and i wont be around to save her if the car doesnt start for work in the mornings????

Really truly need your help here guys and gals, pretty pleeeeaaaase!

If there was no coolant I wouldn't have started it personally. Depending on how long the engine was run, I hope the engine isn't "cooked". The temp sender would not have registered the correct temperature as it relies on the coolant being there, which would have made the engine have difficulty starting.

I'd start by sorting out the coolant system/radiator and getting a code scan done with VCDS.

Edited 26 July, 201015 yr by anewman

If there was no coolant I wouldn't have started it personally. Depending on how long the engine was run, I hope the engine isn't "cooked". The temp sender would not have registered the correct temperature as it relies on the coolant being there, which would have made the engine have difficulty starting.

I'd start by sorting out the coolant system/radiator and getting a code scan done with VCDS.

we topped it up first im not that bad lol, it was just above minimum so not empty

we topped it up first im not that bad lol, it was just above minimum so not empty

If it had drained it may still not have been bled correctly (i.e. there may be an airlock around the temp sender). Easy way to check that though, engine stone cold, remove electrical connector, slide out horseshoe retainer and pull out temp sender.

If it's the bottom right as you face towards the rear of the car, it is likely to be a leak from the fan thermo switch. It might just be case of tightening it up.

There is no such thing as an automatic choke on a modern car, fuel enrichment is through keeping the fuel injectors open for longer, which is controlled by the ECU.

As above, remove the temperature sensor and look/feel for a dislodged/broken thermostat. (Assuming an 8 valve MPi engine). It might benefit from a temperature sensor or complete themostat change (if broken) and a throttle body clean, also check the air filter.

If it's the bottom right as you face towards the rear of the car, it is likely to be a leak from the fan thermo switch. It might just be case of tightening it up.

There is no such thing as an automatic choke on a modern car, fuel enrichment is through keeping the fuel injectors open for longer, which is controlled by the ECU.

As above, remove the temperature sensor and look/feel for a dislodged/broken thermostat. (Assuming an 8 valve MPi engine). It might benefit from a temperature sensor or complete themostat change (if broken) and a throttle body clean, also check the air filter.

where about on this engine is the thermostat, i dont have a book for it

Top passenger side (under engine cover). To remove engine cover unclip the badge, and there's another small clip off bit. You need a 10mm socket to remove the bolts then the cover just pulls off.