Well, last night this took a turn for the worse!!
If I didn't have a coolant leak before, I definitely do now!
Had the car out last night to give her a good clean through, had her looking absolutely mint. Thought I would just take her for a quick spin around the block to dry her out, all seemed fine and I was a happy bunny! Then... DISASTER!
I was lining her up to put her into the garage for the night, Alex was watching to make sure I wasn't getting too close to the wall! However, that was to be the least of my worries! Alex started shouting me to turn the engine off as there was suddenly a load of coolant began pouring out the back of the car!!
I quickly shut off the engine and clocked the temp which was reading over 220! Flipped open the engine cover, to hear a bubbling/boiling coming from the header tank and a fair amount of steam! Fortunately, it immediately calmed down - thank god! Disconnected the battery to be on the safe side and checked in and around the engine bay and underneath the car to determine where it was coming from! By this time, the leaking had all but stopped, but at first glance does appear to be coming from the middle of the car, just in front of the engine bay?
My first thoughts are, one of the middle coolant hoses has split? But then the car had barely been running 10 mins and the water that came out was stone cold?!?!
Checked the header tank, which was almost empty - not surprising as most of the coolant was now on my garage floor now! I know this was over 1/2 full beforehand. But I don't recall it being as brown as I saw it last night when I shone a torch in there?!?!
Also, checked my oil - as advised by Pete, as any unusual signs could point toward head gasket problems!! Eek!! Fortunately, this still looked a nice healthy brown colour - phew!
I am kicking my myself that I didn't keep an eye on that bloody temp gauge when I was parking her up, as I can't be sure what occurred first now? Either the temp went and caused this blow out, or the blow out and sudden loss of coolant caused the needle to rise rapidly. Some reassurance would be very welcome here guy's! :?
I really, really hope I haven't done any damage as a result of this...
To make matters worse, I should be doing a Prom tomorrow night too, only a local job for a friend, but still really didn't want to let the kid down now!
Any tips people, perhaps I can patch her up so she'll at least she can make her big night out?!?!
Finally, I just want to say a huge thanks to Peter Filsell for all his superb help and advice last night and above all else putting my mind at rest! As Claudia said, you are a true gem mate!
Thanks as always for any help in advance.
Best regards
Carl