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Lots of steam and brown stuff in water

Posted: 25 Nov 2016, 20:55
by Thorbs
I was taking me realitivly 'new' 89 petrol 1.9 van on its maiden voyage and I ended up maybe pushing it too hard. Quite a few hills up in the peaks.
I'm pretty sure I heard a pop and then loads of steam started pouring out the back of my van.
I pulled in and waited for it to subside.
When I took the cap off of the tank behind the reg plate next to the oil too up it was realitivly cool but a horrible brown liquid started pouring out. I know I really shouldn't have done that in heinsight.
I managed to get it started and make my way to my campsite a few miles down the road where she gave up and now won't start. Oil warning lift is on. I'm really worried I've completed buggered my engine after reading some other posts on here.

I'm going to call my recovery service tomorrow and will probably have to be towed home (manchester)
Does anyone have any idea what I've done. And does anyone recommend a garage near Manchester that will know this type of van and will be suited to fixing it. I have no idea where to be towed to.

Appreciate any help guys.

Cheers Dan

Re: Lots of steam and brown stuff in water

Posted: 25 Nov 2016, 21:02
by itchyfeet
Does not look good.
Having said that brown stuff in coolant is usually oil but could be there from a previous problem.

Just possible there was an air lock in the system or a weak hose has gone pop, get it filled up and bleed it then see what happens.

http://www.brick-yard.co.uk/forum/bleed ... 1c58d.html|" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Co ... ing_system" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

oil warning light is on when it's not started, thats a self check.

Anybody else reading this remember DO NOT DRIVE IT IF ITS THROWN ITS COOLANT OUT, not even a few miles.

Another point the tank behind the flap is the top up tank, not the pressure tank which is inside, check the pressure tank to see what level it is ( should be brim full) and check /replace the pressure cap ( we call darlek cap)

Re: Lots of steam and brown stuff in water

Posted: 25 Nov 2016, 22:15
by Thorbs
Yeah my brain is saying I've knackered my engine. My heart is hoping it's something really simple.
Praying for a speedy recovery for my little van. Otherwise it may end up being a new suberu engine.

Re: Lots of steam and brown stuff in water

Posted: 25 Nov 2016, 22:40
by jrt
http://www.garage87.co.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and. http://www.macvw.co.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Hope it turns out OK but these two aren't far from you.
David

Re: Lots of steam and brown stuff in water

Posted: 26 Nov 2016, 12:51
by Thorbs
Gasket heads gone and there's oil in the engine. Not ideal. Waiting for a tow back to the garage in cheadle. Thanks for everyone's help

Re: Lots of steam and brown stuff in water

Posted: 26 Nov 2016, 13:22
by itchyfeet
Thorbs wrote:Gasket heads gone and there's oil in the engine. Not ideal. Waiting for a tow back to the garage in cheadle. Thanks for everyone's help

Sorry to hear that.
Consider a second hand engine cost vs having the head seals done.

Re: Lots of steam and brown stuff in water

Posted: 26 Nov 2016, 13:40
by Thorbs
Anyone got a recommendation of where to start searching for a replacement engine?

Re: Lots of steam and brown stuff in water

Posted: 26 Nov 2016, 14:01
by itchyfeet
Try Mick, he breaks vans regularly, in Preson I think.

http://www.nwvw.co.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Re: Lots of steam and brown stuff in water

Posted: 26 Nov 2016, 17:33
by jrt
Thorbs wrote:Anyone got a recommendation of where to start searching for a replacement engine?
If it's going to Chris in Cheadle have a word with him re sourcing another donor engine.
David

Re: Lots of steam and brown stuff in water

Posted: 26 Nov 2016, 18:54
by Thorbs
Yeah Chris has it, he's going to look it over next week and give me a call. Seems like a stand up guy.