New overheating problem (diesel) on road trip
Posted: 16 Apr 2024, 12:22
I hope someone can help, I'm on a long journey and have hit a snag.
I just packed up and hit the road out of the town where I spent the night, and ten minutes down the motorway noticed the temp gauge was beyond its normal point. And the red light was flashing directly behind it.
Needle normally only moves 1/4 of the way left to right, now it was vertical. It kept going, and I was on a long stretch with no exits, so I put the heating on full. The needle crept back from right to vertical again until I found pull off - where I am now.
I guess the heater means the radiator is hot, so coolant is moving, although I couldn't hear any electric fan running.
I've half-emptied the van to get at the engine bay, and coolant reservoir is at normal level and not venting. No water under the van, no sign of coolant inside the engine bay, but some oil on the left side of engine and dripping onto the ground underneath. It looks to have come from the filler cap on top of the engine.
I did top up the oil via the filler behind the number plate before I set off this morning, but the level is still between the dots on the filler. On the low side rather than too full. I just checked it again now, seems normal.
Does anyone have any suggestions?
I was just trundling along at 80kmh, 50mph, not flogging it.
Engine is an old diesel allegedly from a 1980s Jetta, no turbo.
Outside temperature today is noticably lower than it has been for the last few weeks and less direct sunlight.
Can anyone suggest where to look or how to proceed? I have a commitment 600km away in 24 hours so I do need to push on even if it's at a walking pace. Can the engine survive being run at this elevated temperature for a long period?
Thanks in advance for your advice. This forum has been invaluable!
I just packed up and hit the road out of the town where I spent the night, and ten minutes down the motorway noticed the temp gauge was beyond its normal point. And the red light was flashing directly behind it.
Needle normally only moves 1/4 of the way left to right, now it was vertical. It kept going, and I was on a long stretch with no exits, so I put the heating on full. The needle crept back from right to vertical again until I found pull off - where I am now.
I guess the heater means the radiator is hot, so coolant is moving, although I couldn't hear any electric fan running.
I've half-emptied the van to get at the engine bay, and coolant reservoir is at normal level and not venting. No water under the van, no sign of coolant inside the engine bay, but some oil on the left side of engine and dripping onto the ground underneath. It looks to have come from the filler cap on top of the engine.
I did top up the oil via the filler behind the number plate before I set off this morning, but the level is still between the dots on the filler. On the low side rather than too full. I just checked it again now, seems normal.
Does anyone have any suggestions?
I was just trundling along at 80kmh, 50mph, not flogging it.
Engine is an old diesel allegedly from a 1980s Jetta, no turbo.
Outside temperature today is noticably lower than it has been for the last few weeks and less direct sunlight.
Can anyone suggest where to look or how to proceed? I have a commitment 600km away in 24 hours so I do need to push on even if it's at a walking pace. Can the engine survive being run at this elevated temperature for a long period?
Thanks in advance for your advice. This forum has been invaluable!