Quote Originally Posted by Ferret View Post
Fault 1: Exploded radiator!

This turns out to be a symptom not a fault, unlike I first thought. Dismantled the expansion tank out of the radiator quickly and found a huge crack in the side of the radiator where the top expansion tank bleeder plugs in.

Quick trip to B&Q for some 5 minute epoxy resin and that problem's now fixed!

Got it all back together at the side of the road and the b*stards still overheating!

I *think* the _cause_ of all this trouble is that the pumps imploded - the radiator top hose gets boiling hot, but the bottom hose stays stone cold.

This implies that the thermostat's open as hot water's rising to the top of the system under convection etc. What really gives this away is that with the heaters on full, you get no heat and the hoses going into the firewall/bulkhead are stone cold... this indicates a lack of flow I think?

What do you guys think?

Going to tow the bugger home this morning and pull the waterpump and see what state it's in, I know the visco coupling is shot, but the lack of hot water to the heater is giving me that twitch!
Before you rip the pump out, bleed the system through the bleeder on top of the rad. I find it best at a slightly fast idle. No circulation to heater is classic air lock symptom. If you can get all the air out in less than half an hour you are doing well. I've had to switch off many times in the past as the needle was going too high while I was bleeding the system. And yes, I get my fair share of calls. My favourite is 'my car is making a funny noise....'