Overheating above 40mph (1.6 Diesel)

[meggles]

Diesel 1.6 "C" reg. Overheating at anything over 40 mph. After 120 miles the top hose "exploded". It wasn't losing water and all else semed OK. I will expand on this later but for now has anybody any ideas as to possible causes please? I can't run many tests at the moment 'cos I don't have the new hose.
Thanks
PS, Local supplier couldn't guarantee getting hose. Anyone know if they're still available from somewhere.

[psychonaut]

Hello Meggles - this could be a thermostat problem, in so much as it isn't working and therefore not opening when it should. Testing your thermostat in a pan of water heated up on your cooker at home will give you a quick answer

[meggles]

Hello Meggles - this could be a thermostat problem, in so much as it isn't working and therefore not opening when it should. Testing your thermostat in a pan of water heated up on your cooker at home will give you a quick answer

I was going to try that, (honest!!!) but I wondered why it would cool down below 40.
Thanks for the suggestion, must get the spuds out of the pan. Wife's got a cheek using my equipment

[Dubwana]

Hi Meggles:

If your cylinder head gasket is leaking it could be increasing the pressure in the water system which could cause an exploding hose as well as an overheating vehicle as you speed up. Mine did that, pressure building up, overheating, eventually I got down to over heating at 20 mph and when we took the head off found all the water channels were rusted out to the point of loosing compression into the water. However I would also check out your thermostat first, its a much cheaper option.

[meggles]

Mechanic just called me. He wants another look but thinks engine is u/s.
Suppose it's worth trying another hose and running without thermostat to make sure.
Ah well, at least it wasn't a new one Teach me to buy unseen!!!!!

This is the hose which burst!

[Simon Baxter]

if it did that to a hose then your headgasket will 99% be in tatters.

[meggles]

if it did that to a hose then your headgasket will 99% be in tatters.

Thanks for reply Simon, Do you reckon it could be "just" the head gasket then? Rather that than a fully stuffed engine?

[weldore]

meggles...what are your intentions for the van?

[meggles]

meggles...what are your intentions for the van?

Depends on how fault progresses. My hope is that I can repair engine and then make the body great again. Then think about the interior. I just bought it with the intention of using it whilst renovating the body. Best laid plans of mice and men!
Why do you ask? Have you some parts?

[weldore]

well..i have my old 1.6 n/a in the shed,it was working fine when i took it out but it was too slow for me on the road. i might even have a spare pipe the same(i think) as the blown one you have.thing is(and i dont want to sound funny here)if your doing the van up to sell it on then i will keep the bits incase mine packs up..but if your doing it up to keep it then i would gladly give you the parts FOC.

[meggles]

Weldore, you have pm

[psychonaut]

Meggles, as someone mentioned above, the chances are your head gasket is in mess if that's what it did to your hose. I'm not sure what head is on yours, but if it's an ally one then it may have shagged the head too. You'll need to get it (the head) pressure tested - i'm not sure about your part of the world, but here in south Wales that's about £70. There's a chance you haven't carped the head - my 1.6 diesel blew her head gasket last week but the head was good after being pressure tested.

[meggles]

Yes, that's about the price here too. I feared that may be a possibility. Thanks for all help and advice so far.
I'll keep you posted about imminent(sp) events. I may be sorted!!! (Is there a smilie for fingers crossed?)

[meggles]

Weldore has been ace. 100% generous , come up with an engine. He is a great 80-90er with a heart of gold. Thanks Weldore.

[weldore]