My first breakdown !!!

[Fande t25]

As the title suggests I've had my first breakdown leaving for work today. Just are off and the van started coughing and juddering, the coolant temp light was flashing and it then cut out. Didn't have time to check anything as I needed to get to work. I only checked the levels yesterday as in oil and water. I have notices the temperature dial hasn't been working. Any one got any ideas as to what I need to check. Although I've topped up the water regularly the bottle has been dry a few times ?

[kevtherev]

If there's ni visible coolant loss.. It suggests a head gasket failure

[Fande t25]

There does seem a coolant loss as the bottle has been dry.

[Ian Hulley]

I only checked the levels yesterday as in oil and water.

Header tank or top-up tank ? If there is a leak or the cap has failed the top-up tank could still show as being full.

Ian

[Fande t25]

I only checked the levels yesterday as in oil and water.

Header tank or top-up tank ? If there is a leak or the cap has failed the top-up tank could still show as being full.

Ian

Thanks Ian I'll check this after work. I hope it is something simple I'm planning our first trip in her next week after lots of hard graft

Eric

[Fande t25]

Well checked the main tank and the cap seemed ok, tank was full too. Must Dmit though the coolant seemed very diluted. Started van and light not showing although haven't taken it for a run. But I didn't get very far today either, literally half way down my road.

However there is more smoke than usual coming from the exhaust ? Maybe that's just a red herring.

Joining AA tonight and gonna wait until the weekend to take her for a drive.

[kevtherev]

"cap seemed ok"
So what test did you do on it?

[Fande t25]

"cap seemed ok"
So what test did you do on it?

I have very limited mechanical knowledge. I visually inspected the hose joining the two tanks, I inspected the dalek cap, ensuring the pressure release valve was not seized up, I did a palm and blow test to see if the valve released and it gave a audible noise. I got these tips from the Wiki. Are there any other checks I could do.

Thanks

Eric

[kevtherev]

Nope