Hi,

A few niggles building with the car - 2.0l slxi petrol.

1. Coolant in expansion tank very hot - bubbling slightly but radiator stone cold

Is it the water pump or a air lock?

2. If it is the water pump should i wait till my cambelt is changed next weekend then get both done.

3. Does the 2.0l have the plastic cambelt tensioners like the other engines?

Cheers guys, i'd like an idea before it goes to the garage.

Can anyone help with these queries?

sounds like the water is never getting to the raditator.... I guess there is a thermostat which opens when the water gets to a given temp... maybe it is stuck shut? (my haynes manual is in the car and I don't want to go outside and get wet!!)

Givne what other people have said on here, it seems worth it get the rollers/etc and water pump changed when the cam belt is done.

possibly sounds like the water pump impeller has already gone , so NO coolant circulation , could also be the thermostat , either way engine damage may occur if the engine overheats , what does the gauge read ?

Next weekend seems like a very long time to go without water in the rad.

Thats one good way to blow ur head gasket.

The rad is full of water, the thermostat however or the waterpump isnt allowing the hot water in the engine to get there. Change the thermostat first and run it then and feel the rad pipes whilst letting it idle. I wouldnt do any driving before you do this.

Thanks guys,

I bought the car from a dealer 40 miles away last week. The dealers pathetic 3 month warranty states that any repairs must be done in their own workshop. I am not going to drive a car without a working cooling system up the M6 for 40 miles so i need to get it sorted locally and quickly. Surely the dealer will still be responsible for reimbursing me the cost of repairs which in the worse case scenario could be waterpump and head gasket even if they say f*$ck off at first.

What do you think?

My moneys on a dud thermostat

Thanks guys,

I bought the car from a dealer 40 miles away last week. The dealers pathetic 3 month warranty states that any repairs must be done in their own workshop. I am not going to drive a car without a working cooling system up the M6 for 40 miles so i need to get it sorted locally and quickly. Surely the dealer will still be responsible for reimbursing me the cost of repairs which in the worse case scenario could be waterpump and head gasket even if they say f*$ck off at first.

What do you think?

You need to contact the garage where you bought the car. If their warrantee states that repairs need to be carried out in their workshop, then they will not reimburse you if you took it somewhere else.

At least speak to them about the problem and see if they can suggest a way to help you

Thanks guys,

I bought the car from a dealer 40 miles away last week. The dealers pathetic 3 month warranty states that any repairs must be done in their own workshop. I am not going to drive a car without a working cooling system up the M6 for 40 miles so i need to get it sorted locally and quickly. Surely the dealer will still be responsible for reimbursing me the cost of repairs which in the worse case scenario could be waterpump and head gasket even if they say f*$ck off at first.

What do you think?

Tell the dealer you are not happy with the idea of driving it back to them in its current state. Suggest that either they allow you to have it repaired locally to you and pay full costs, or they arrange for it to be low-lowered backed to their workshops. The 3rd option would be for one of their mechanics to drive the car back to their workshops and for them to assume full responsibility of the car should their be any issues with the car due to the cooling system having failed (ie. head gasket, warped head, etc)

I'd agree, and, when I had a warranty failure just after I got the car, the place I bought it from were ok with having it fixed locally to me (about 150 miles from their nearest branch).