Overheating/Headgasket?

[ridders]

1.9 watercooled 1984 Hightop

If the headgasket goes on a watercooled van can this pressurise the coolant system with exhaust/combustion gases and force water out of the top of the top up tank (the one behind the number plate)? Would you also get a lot of smoke/steam out the exhaust when it went whilst driving? The van now starts and ticks over OK on the drive with just a bit of steam/condensation out of the exhaust (but all vehicles do in this weather). Theres no noticeable loss of coolant as the expansion tank is pretty much full.

Surely if it was headgasket the problem would be there even ticking over on the drive wouldn't it?

[jason k]

go and get the coolant "sniffed" ,a failing head can give all the symptoms you describe also so could a fooked thermostat / dodgy rad cap valve etc so by sniffing it it will rule out or oin head gasket failure without buying bits you wont need.....

[billy739]

if only just startred there may not be much other sighns , or as you say it may just need a good run,
just keep an eye on the light and level.

check that when the water cap is on tight(cold so you dont get injured) that you cannot blow in and out , it should be sealed!

[Fritz]

I'd be changing the expansion tank cap to be on the safe side coz these have been known to provide similar symptoms that you have encountered,,,,,,,,,(it is summat to do with the valve in the cap becoming faulty).



Regards


Fritz,,,,,,,,

[ding-dang-dhu]

1.9 watercooled 1984 Hightop

If the headgasket goes on a watercooled van can this pressurise the coolant system with exhaust/combustion gases and force water out of the top of the top up tank (the one behind the number plate)? Would you also get a lot of smoke/steam out the exhaust when it went whilst driving? The van now starts and ticks over OK on the drive with just a bit of steam/condensation out of the exhaust (but all vehicles do in this weather). Theres no noticeable loss of coolant as the expansion tank is pretty much full.

Surely if it was headgasket the problem would be there even ticking over on the drive wouldn't it?

I have the same van and problems too. There is no mayo in the dipstick so fingers crossed its just a cap.

Ridders is your overheating light flashing all the time? Check all water pipes as the pressure burst one of mine.

[jason k]

thats not an overheating light its the low water inndicator for the bottle in the engine bay not the one behind the numberplate flap.