STOP light and high coolant temperature

[Chris.B]

Hi guys,

Driving to work yesterday and this happened. STOP light and STOP coolant temperature indicator with the needle at the top:


Pulled over and checked my coolant. Stupidly, I hadn't checked it for a while before this and when I looked there was none in the bottle. Filled it up with some water I had in my car and drove to work. After work I then bought some more coolant and when I got home, filled it up again.

Today, drove to work fine but on the way home, the same thing happened. STOP light and STOP coolant temperature indicator with the needle at the top. I was approaching a steep hill previous to the lights coming on and had dropped into 4th gear not giving it a stupid amount of revs but a fair amount to get up the hill. As I did this, I could see the needle rising and then the lights came on.

The coolant I had put in looks to have gone.

Do I have a leak somewhere or is this a serious problem? Someone mentioned head gasket?

Any help much appreciated!

 

[sprag5]

U may have a leak as you have lost your original coolant! But when you have filled the coolant bottle up you may not have put enough in. You would need to get the car up to temp, allowing the thermostat to open then allow to cool down and top up again

 

[MicKPM]

You need to start looking at your car for signs of a leak mate... Only you can answer this one.

 

[Nick_Leeds]

I had similar problem turned out the water pump had a leak. Other than that @MicKPM might be able to suggest other potential areas to check.

 

[McGherkin]

Stop before it maxes out next time.

But yeah, it sounds like a leak. Could be a hose split, hole in the radiator (rare as the ac condensor is in front of it), leak from the water pump, leaking heater matrix etc

 

[Dan@SJM]

Hole in the rad is quite common actually. Rad cowling wears through it

 

[MicKPM]

Yep, as per Dan above OR the A/C condenser rubs thru it if incorrectly fitted/mounts destroyed. Then there's the water pump, Thermostat housing, pipework, etc... Head gaskets are RARE!!!

 

[bloke]

bottom corner on the passengers side of the radiator.