Blown Header Tank

[bendee]

Hi,

I had a bit of an overheating problem the other night - basically the alternator belt popped off and I didn't notice the battery light on, although I did wonder why the heating wasn't working! I only realised when the temp light started flashing but had to drive about 1/4 mile to safely pull over, just before pulling over there was a loud bang which on inspection was a giant hole blown in the header tank - must have got pretty hot. What do you think the chances are of permanent damage to the engine? - its a 2.1 (Petrol) My plan is to fit a new tank and belt and fill the system - Is there any other damage I should be looking out for?

Would appreciate any advice on this

Cheers
Ben

[lloydy]

Just do the things you say and see what happens. You may be lucky and get away with it.

[R0B]

If you have got away with it,i suggest you buy a lottery ticket.

[CovKid]

Did it on a 1.9 without blowing tank (though it did stretch) and got away with it. Expect damage to other items (sensors particularly) but you'll soon discover if and where. Probably wise to fit a new thermostat. I filled with just water first time so as not to chuck money at it if it was terminal. If it bleeds ok and temperature stable, then by all means drain and shove your antifreeze in. Oil will be shot by the way.

[what2do]

What on earth causes a hole in the tank?? Blimey!

[CovKid]

Essentially you turn your van into a steam engine on the boil. Have a go yourself

[what2do]

What about pressure relief - dalek cap??

[lloydy]

Probably faulty

[what2do]

Faulty as in a badly manufactured cheaply or an eom that has gone faulty with age? Hopefully, not the latter as that means we're all at risk.

[CovKid]

Even a dalek cap won't prevent the system from boiling, it just becomes one of a handful of potential casualties once temperatures really exceeds the norm.

[marlinowner]

Worth checking the pipe between dalek cap and expansion tank - mine was blocked solid, probably by past antifreeze mixing, caused cooling system to over pressurise.

[what2do]

I shall be checking that pipe later today. I like 2 minute jobs!! Checking is better than failing

[ghost123uk]

Even a dalek cap won't prevent the system from boiling

^^^ Agreed. Had similar happen to me, though my "blow up" was a main front to back coolant pipe

I know I keep banging on about this, but whilst we are mentioning blockages :-



That ^^^ is what you can get in any of the thin pipes that run around the top of the engine bay, around the stat and in the thin rubber pipe that comes off the rear of the left hand head (WBX). Worth checking. It was exactly that blockage which killed my first engine (~8 years ago).

Pic not mine, courtesy of ???

[CovKid]

You just like showing that lump of dog's doodoo you found in the pipe John.

One good warning of imminent boil-up time is a screeching water pump. As I found out. It can also ruin the radiotar fan thermostat and numerous other parts that are not rated for exceedingly high temperatures. It can put 40,000 miles on your engine in five minutes.

[itchyfeet]

How does a blocked bleed pipe cause the system to over pressure?