Was driving home and saw smoke coming from engine. Temperature gauge rapidly rose. Got the car into driveway and let engine cool down. I opened the bonnet and found that no coolant in reservoir and a puddle of coolant under the car. Shut the bonnet and now can't get the silly thing open again. The coolant didn't look like it had oil in it, lots of sediment though and I haven't been able to look under oil cap but did pull out dipstick which appeared to not be emulsified. No idea about car repairs so want to get mobile vehicle repair man out or get it towed, but need some idea as to what problem may be. Looking through posts on here it will either be head gasket, radiator, hoses or the coolant container. Can anyone illuminate me.

I had a couple of coolant bottles split on both the felicia and the favorit, another weak point on the favoit was the seal to the heater matrix, don't know if this fault was carried over to the felicia though. Sorry can't be of more help.

As for getting the bonnet open you may be able to use a coat hanger to try grab the mechanism which releases the bonnet. Probably needs to be on axle stands/ramps to be able to get a good view of what's going on though.

If you can get the bonnet open I would fill up *slowly* with water to max level on the expansion tank. At this point check for any obvious leaks. Start the engine running leaving the cap off the tank. Keep checking around for leaks, look at heater matrix, look all aound the engine block where the cylinder head mates with the block, check all pipes (especially the connecting parts), expansion tank and radiator. If the leak isn't obvious keep running until the fan cuts in, but turn off the engine if the coolant suddenly disappears quickly (a little will go as the system forces out air anyway).

If you can't do above is there any clues in where the puddle was?

Yeah, fiddle the bonnet release open somehow, fill her up with coolant, look for leaks: if none visible start her up and wait for temperature to rise - you'll see some coming out somewhere soon enough! Split bottle, split hose, failed hose clamp are the usual culprits. All easy to fix, even a bottle won't cost you a lot (£8.82 from Butts of Bawtry for a Favorit, the Felicia's probably the same).

If you're in the AA/RAC or similar, get them to sort the bonnet and diagnose the problem.

My Felicia overheated last year.

The fan didnt cut in and it was making a squealing noise and steam pouring out when I managed to limp it home.

A new thermostat and fan switch fixed that problem though.

Leak could also be a corroded bottom bit of the radiator frame.

£105 for new rad was best price I got.

Leak could also be a corroded bottom bit of the radiator frame.

£105 for new rad was best price I got.

On ebay they are a bit cheaper -

Skoda Felicia 1.6 Radiator-BRAND NEW!! on eBay, also, Skoda, Car Parts, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 11-Jan-08 23:35:02 GMT)

It show 1.3 and 1.6 options there.

Alternatively try some rad weld - if its the radiator, I did this recently with my Felicia 1.6, and so far so good.

On ebay they are a bit cheaper -

Skoda Felicia 1.6 Radiator-BRAND NEW!! on eBay, also, Skoda, Car Parts, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 11-Jan-08 23:35:02 GMT)

It show 1.3 and 1.6 options there.

Alternatively try some rad weld - if its the radiator, I did this recently with my Felicia 1.6, and so far so good.

Thanks for that:thumbup:

At the time-we needed the car ASAP, and local Factors could get it in same day delivery.

Radweld wouldnt work as the entire bottom of the Rad was hanging off:eek:

Radweld wouldnt work as the entire bottom of the Rad was hanging off:eek:

Not the best then! Mine was only a small leak I think, and after a few miles now it seems ok. As long as it holds on until I replace it with an Octavia, its all good

Know anything to plug oil leaks? :confused:

Many thanks to all who responded. The mechanic had to tow my car away as the bonnet cable snapped while we were trying to get it open. He has phoned to say it was head gasket, just my luck. But he is honest and for £395 I will get a new gasket, the head will be skimmed, oil change,new filter, cam belt, antifreeze etc and he is replacing the bonnet cable, so I will be able to open the damn thing in future. Unfortunately I am not mechanically minded. I suppose I could have invested in another car for that money but who knows what I would end up with. Oh well hopefully it should see me through another year or so.

£395 sounds a bit much IMO - but I guess you've already given the go ahead?

Should keep the car running for a long time provided nothing else breaks.

I just added some anti-freeze to my car. Was all water before but got some Halfrauds ready mixed pink anti-freeze.

Makes it easier to see where my water levels are at least.