My skoda superb 1.8 tsi manual 2011 was standing for some 8 days straight. Upon trying to drive it after the brea, I encounred engine overheating light and a warning on the digital display, telling me to refer the owner's manual. (Coolant temperature! Owner's manual!)

 

The warning comes after 10-12 seconds of starting the car. The temperature gauge needle is acting as if nothing wrong is happenimg. It gradually reaches the middle (90) and stays there.

 

I checked the coolant and it was below the minimum level. The G12 VW longlasting coolant was not available anywhere around so I consulted Skoda's sevice center professional, who told me filling the required capacity with water would be fine. 

I followed his advice. However, the overheat warning light persists. AC and radiator fan seem to act normal. 

 

Also, I peeped inside the coolant section. The pink colour looks normal. I could see bubbles though (Don't know if that's normal).

 

What can be the problem?

What is the oil temperature? That is usually a very reliable measurement of the actual engine temperature.

If you connect a simple OBD tool, what does that say about the coolant temperature? Do you see any suden rises?

Welcome to the forum.

Bubbles in the coolant could be something like air in the system - or possibly an issue with the head gasket. Both can cause a drop in coolant level. Does the coolant have an odd smell? 

Edited 7 June, 20241 yr by Warrior193
Add welcome

Get VCDS on it to start with, sounds like a dodgy sensor 

On 08/06/2024 at 00:02, andrehj said:

What is the oil temperature? That is usually a very reliable measurement of the actual engine temperature.

If you connect a simple OBD tool, what does that say about the coolant temperature? Do you see any suden rises?

The oil temperature seems to be normal. The temperature needle stays in the middle.

One more thing. 

The warning beep occurs 10-12 seconds after the first engine start of the day and stays while driving for about 8-10 kms. But the warning disappears after restarting the car post the 8-10 km run. 

 

I don't the sensor is acting up. But expert advices are required!

On 08/06/2024 at 00:28, Warrior193 said:

Welcome to the forum.

Bubbles in the coolant could be something like air in the system - or possibly an issue with the head gasket. Both can cause a drop in coolant level. Does the coolant have an odd smell? 

Got it checked out. There are no bubbles. The coolant smell is also okay. 

On 04/07/2024 at 05:51, Neerajbharadwaj said:

The oil temperature seems to be normal.

Again my question: What is the oil temperature? (Answer should be in °C)

10 hours ago, andrehj said:

Again my question: What is the oil temperature? (Answer should be in °C)

Right, the engine temperature remains at 90°C. Despite warning.

9 hours ago, Neerajbharadwaj said:

Right, the engine temperature remains at 90°C. Despite warning.

Not the engine temperature, the oil temperature from the MFD, should be the third item as you scroll through. If it's not shown you'll need to go into MFD settings to enable it.

 

The coolant temperature gauge is designed to read 90 over a large range of temperatures which is why oil temperature is a much better guide. On a recent trip with the caravan I had oil temperatures up to nearly 120 °C and the coolant gauge stayed resolutely at 90.

Edited 6 July, 20241 yr by chimaera