Car engine problem question

Ok, had a neighbour ask me what is wrong with her little Fiat Seicento.
Basically, the car has lost all of its water, however checking the engine oil, is not creamy and there appears not to be a hg problem. Where the top radiator pipe connects to the engine block, there is a Flange type fitting (dont know its proper name) which connects the pipe to the block. This is apretty substantial metal piece by the looks of things but appears to have cracked. Having put water through the system, it is evident that the water is being lost from this point quite quickly.

Question is, how could that have cracked? I have suggested a possible dodgy sensor causing it to overheat, or even possibly a broken water pump, however if it is managing to get from the water reservoir to this point, I would imagine the pump is working?? Anyone else with ideas?

Oh and I asked if the fan was working, as she said she had just had it replaced.

There could be a reason why she had the fan replaced? what is the story for that.

It the car boiled it would be unlikely to break the pipe so it could be vibration or corosion on the inside.
Waterpumps are reasonably prone to failure on these but if it is cooling normally it is unlikely.
How did she know the water was low, did it overheat?

Previous water loss and when refilled no antifreeze----cracked due to the extreme cold

Originally Posted by Dicky Ticker

Previous water loss and when refilled no antifreeze----cracked due to the extreme cold

+1

Could be a number of different things.. As a few people have said it may have cracked because of no antifreeze, it may also have got to hot from either lack of or too much water in the radiator, water pump or possibly thermostat?

Thermostat is easiest to check so do that first, otherwise i'm not sure!

Good luck!!

aye thanks guys, will mention it to her tomorrow. See if she mentions lack of antifreeze.

Originally Posted by robchester

aye thanks guys, will mention it to her tomorrow. See if she mentions lack of antifreeze.

Radweld should be your friend in this instance... much easier than pratting around...

ok not the best solution granted... but hey its one option!!

Look - you know what I'm going to suggest...



... yup - hit it with a hammer.

Originally Posted by K

Look - you know what I'm going to suggest...



... yup - hit it with a hammer.

+1...







a very big 14lb sledgehammer.

[timwilky]

Some cooling problems can be a sod to trace.


From you description it sounds like the thermostat housing has cracked. Normally the reason for this sort of occurrence is overheating causing the thermostat to expand beyond the capacity of the housing.

I have seen this happen before when the pump impeller becomes detached from its drive shaft. Externally there is no indication of a pump failure, no leaks, bearings sound etc. Thermal cycling can flow the water round a partial system even with a failed pump

Post a piccy of the failed component. We can then identify it and try to point you in the right direction