Overheating Astra

[DEN53]

My son has a Vauxhall Astra 'N' Reg (I think thats 1994) -
he had a new radiator fitted last year, but the bloody engine just keeps overheating. He is constantly refilling the top up tank with water. In fact he went out this afternoon and had to pull over, because he could hear it bubbling. He has had a garage look at it, but apart from the new radiator, they did'nt know what was wrong.

Any one got any ideas ??

[Jackson74]

Air pockets in pipes and radiator, thermostat is faulty, radiator fan not working, water pump not working so just bubbling in pipes, and lastly, could be head gasket but hope not!

[DEN53]

Thanks Jackson 74 - yes, we are hoping its not the head gasket aswell !!

[Postdog]

Ooh that is weird!

I have an M reg I recently bought. Lovely runner and very clean but same problem - overheating, losing water.

Maybe you habe got what is wrong with mine - check to see if the water is getting in the oil. If so you have gasket problems.

[aaronseasear]

Hi
Check the air access to the radiator is not blocked, I had (no lie) a dead seagull blocking my P plate calibra a few years ago.... however if your having to top up the rad, it maybe the |Head gasket.. any creamy looking stuff on the oil filler cap? any white smoke(like steam) from the exhaust.
is there a blockage in the rad? was it during the snow as a lack of antifreeze would cause an ice blck in the rad and the car would overheat.. good luck

[R1Geezer]

Head gaskett most likely.

Ok I'm probably going to get slated for the this. Anyway this is character building, I can remember my first car, Ford Angle box, I knew every nut and bolt I'd think nothing of spending Sunday with a haines manual which cost almost as much as the car , taking things to bits ....... sorry I digress

Ok head off probabyly skim, head back on get him to do it himself, when it's done and it works there's no greater feeling!

[R1Geezer]

sorry forgot to add, if there's mayo in the oil cap it's the HG.

[chas2008]

everything points to head gasket unless there is a visible leak ..
must have been a pretty c**p garage if they had no idea..you couldnt get much more basics mechanics these days than an N reg Astra

[Toureman]

The Astras usually over cool so don't assume it's the head gasket as they are usually OK on Astras, if you have the mayonnaise under the filler cap it is over cooling but thats not going to be under yours if it's over heating.

[DEN53]

Lol - aaronseasear - we do get a lot of seagulls swooping down over our roof, but I will check one has not plonked itself in the engine. I could just picture it...........

Thanks for all your answers - they have been helpful

[Panic Button]

I'ld go for the water pump failing.