URGENT: 1.2 Engine Temperature Problem

[paddyyyyy]

Was driving home this morning when the engine temperature was then hovering just above the mid point (I'm fairly concious of the engine temperature as it went through a phase of suddenly dropping).

After 5 minutes of that it then started to shoot up just before I got home with warning lights going mad. Under the bonnet the water level was now well above maximum when I had to fill it up the morning before as it as just at Min.

Any suggested solutions to this problem as I would like to get it sorted as quickly as possible

 

[paddyyyyy]

UPDATE: Radiator seems to be cold and after squeezing the pipes the overflow was filled with a horrible murky liquid.

 

[MicKPM]

Waterpump failing/failed or a blockage - radiator and anti-freeze okay?

 

[paddyyyyy]

Topped up the antifreeze yesterday. Gave the pipes a bit of a squeeze and I think that may have solved it as it is behaving normally now. Warming up to mid / taking a drop when stat opens / then rising to mid and staying there. Maybe there was a bit of a blockage or stat was sticking?

 

[MicKPM]

What anti-freeze/mix are you running? Type-D spec which is required for most current models is down to -23 degrees so if you've got a weak mix in it could have started to freeze.

 

[paddyyyyy]

If I'm honest I don't know the mix I'm using. Would you recommend doing a flush and replacing with the correct fluid?

 

[JackJack]

If I'm honest I don't know the mix I'm using. Would you recommend doing a flush and replacing with the correct fluid?

Sounds like a good idea to me this time of year.

 

[paddyyyyy]

Going to buy a new thermostat and coolant and do them both at the same time.

 

[MicKPM]

Don't forget to flush the head, heater matrix and the radiator seperately in both directions (Flows and returns). If you're not buying your coolant pre-mixed from Renault then it would be worth buying yourself a basic anti-freeze tester to. They're only around £10-12 from an autofactors but are well worth the cash if you DIY service your motor regularly. Finally, use an Ethelyne Glycol based coolant... a diluted mix to protect to around -23 degree's is about perfect and colour is un-important though I use red when not using genuine "Type-D" from the parts dept.

Tip: Remember to check the stat opens/closes properly first in a pan of boiling water before fitting it as faulty stats are common.

 

[paddyyyyy]

Noted that down, that should be really useful thanks.

 

[Girder]

Ive noticed mine will goto mid and then drop ever so slightly recently and then raise when i give it some beans. Sorry i cant be any help but thought id share!

 

[paddyyyyy]

That sounds pretty normal mate, the temp will take a slight drop when the thermostat opens.