Overheating! Splashing noise from Radiator

Hi all..

Just picked up a 1999 4.0 HSE P38.. which has just had the head gasket done on the drivers side a few days ago, but as I am 300 miles from the garage is was done at I cannot just pop over there.

Its overheating! drove it for about 15 minutes then it started losing all coolant and temp shot up into the red.

Got it home, cooled down, topped up with water and carried on topping up with it running.. then after 5 minutes it sounded like the fan was hitting something (but it wasnt) the noise was coming from the radiator?

Could this just be a simple airlock in the rad?

Please help! what shall i do?

garydavidson123 said:

Hi all..

Just picked up a 1999 4.0 HSE P38.. which has just had the head gasket done on the drivers side a few days ago, but as I am 300 miles from the garage is was done at I cannot just pop over there.

Its overheating! drove it for about 15 minutes then it started losing all coolant and temp shot up into the red.

Got it home, cooled down, topped up with water and carried on topping up with it running.. then after 5 minutes it sounded like the fan was hitting something (but it wasnt) the noise was coming from the radiator?

Could this just be a simple airlock in the rad?

Please help! what shall i do?

Click to expand...

just keep topping it up,when you can get no more in it take it for a run,but take water with you.just be very careful when you take the cap of to top it up.also check the pipe that goes from the rad to the expansion bottle,if this is blocked it can cause these probs,give it a good clean out to make sure it is clear.

Just tried.. water and steam ****es out of the cap.. and the rad's still making a 'CH CH CH' loud noise like its blocked?

Could it be the thermostat.. just read that a faulty or sticking thermostat causes a thumping noise... hopefully its that then


Thermostat Failure
•Check the thermostat (mounted on the front of the engine, connected to the upper radiator hose) for leaks, white crust and rust. Stuck thermostats will many times cause a very loud thumping or knocking noise that comes from the radiator. When a thermostat sticks, the engine overheats within minutes because the cooling system is completely closed off. Applying a wooden stick to the radiator will let you feel the knocking vibrations. Replace the thermostat and gasket.

garydavidson123 said:

Could it be the thermostat.. just read that a faulty or sticking thermostat causes a thumping noise... hopefully its that then


Thermostat Failure
•Check the thermostat (mounted on the front of the engine, connected to the upper radiator hose) for leaks, white crust and rust. Stuck thermostats will many times cause a very loud thumping or knocking noise that comes from the radiator. When a thermostat sticks, the engine overheats within minutes because the cooling system is completely closed off. Applying a wooden stick to the radiator will let you feel the knocking vibrations. Replace the thermostat and gasket.

Click to expand...

is the pipe clear that i told you about.

havent undone it.. too hot.. but is it easy to remove and put back on?

what could be blocking that pipe then?

Take it back to the garage.

I would but its 300 miles away

garydavidson123 said:

I would but its 300 miles away

Click to expand...

They are liable, get them to recover it.

yeah i know, i checked trading standards.. i;ve just got the car last night, came home in a recovery truck.. the work was on the head was only carried out 3 days ago, and i;ve told the person that if the head is to blame then they must sort it.. Ever heard of LOMAX CORNER GARAGE in Skegness?

it is not good to do one head, you can bet the other has gone. send it back to them..

i've got a man checking her over saturday morning, if it is just the thermostat then i dont mind replacing that... the recovery truck driver said they should stick a new thermostat in when doing a head anyway...

So does anyone know the laws then.. the garage did the work 2 days ago and if the head is to fault then they must sort it out.. what if they say no? who do i call? police? trading standards? who will make the garage do the work?

garydavidson123 said:

i've got a man checking her over saturday morning, if it is just the thermostat then i dont mind replacing that... the recovery truck driver said they should stick a new thermostat in when doing a head anyway...

So does anyone know the laws then.. the garage did the work 2 days ago and if the head is to fault then they must sort it out.. what if they say no? who do i call? police? trading standards? who will make the garage do the work?

Click to expand...

Assuming the cost was under £5K threaten them with the small claims court. If they refuse to do it tell them you will get the work done and send them the bill and will sue if they don't pay. Make sure if you get the work done you get a full report of the problem to support your claim.

if you do a search there is a thead called crox of ****, read it. it may help you..

the work they did came to £714.. and apparently the only did the drivers side head.as when it was done last year 2 of the bolts where torqued up wrong.. then 2 days later its overheating again.. it does sound like just the thermostat from what i've read.. but still if the man diagnoses otherwise on saturday then i need them to come recover the car from me..

does anyone know any solicitors who wanna draw up a letter for me? really really cheap of course, i usually pay in crates of beers

garydavidson123 said:

the work they did came to £714.. and apparently the only did the drivers side head.as when it was done last year 2 of the bolts where torqued up wrong.. then 2 days later its overheating again.. it does sound like just the thermostat from what i've read.. but still if the man diagnoses otherwise on saturday then i need them to come recover the car from me..

does anyone know any solicitors who wanna draw up a letter for me? really really cheap of course, i usually pay in crates of beers

Click to expand...

You don't need a solicitor, citizens advice or google for the correct form of words for a "letter before action"

any solicitor will give you a free half hour if you need legal advice !!!!