Series 3 2.25 Petrol overheating in snowy conditions

Hi All,
Took my series 3 out today in the snowy conditions and the raditor was getting hot and boiling over. I have topped up various times and still the same.
Any ideas?
I would have thought if it had iced up it would have defrosted by the time it had got to boiling?

DR0844 said:

Hi All,
Took my series 3 out today in the snowy conditions and the raditor was getting hot and boiling over. I have topped up various times and still the same.
Any ideas?
I would have thought if it had iced up it would have defrosted by the time it had got to boiling?

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Maybe there's a fault with the water pump?

There could be but i only replaced it a few months ago?

DR0844 said:

There could be but i only replaced it a few months ago?

Click to expand...

I see, i need to replace mine.

I'm unsure then, maybe that's the first point to check though.

Had it lost much coolant

Col

Most of it had boiled over. So it had lost quite a bit.

Take it you have antifreeze. First check waterpump is turning when you refill system.
In very cold conditions with snow blowing about the snow can block the rad cooling fins. You would think that the heat inside would melt it but the fan drawing very cold air over it can prevent that from happening in time before the motor overheats.I put a hessian sack over the grill to prevent the snow reaching the rad. Guess how I know this.

Also, check your core plugs, they can develop corrosion pin holes.

Col

Went back out in it after leaving it to rest. All back to normal.
Think it might have been iced up. Not enough antifreeze. Been to the shop and got some more now

I have switched to EVANS coolant, as you can see from my photo i live up a mountain - so advantages for me are no more antifreeze - no more overheating as it boils at 180deg C, not being water based there is no more internal corrosion.
It's a bit expensive but you only need to do it once as there is virtually no loss at all.

Not enough antifreeze. The rad core is freezing at the bottom and boiling at the top because there is no flow. As you drive the cold air keeps the bootom of the rad cool and with no flow the water in the head boils. If you stop the residual heat melts it all then it works fine as it can circulate. You are very lucky not to burst the rad.