Author Topic: vr6 steam coming out of the header tank  (Read 1382 times)

Offline trevg

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vr6 steam coming out of the header tank
« on: 22 March 2007, 18:47 »
iSEEM TO HAVE STEAM COMING FROM THE HEADER CANT DRIVE THE  CAR FAR TEMP STAYS ON THE 90 AND FANS CUT IN OKAY COULD THIS BE HEAD GASKET FAILURE AND IF SO HOW MUCH TO PUT RIGHT            :sick:cheers trev

Offline EvilScotsman

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Re: vr6 steam coming out of the header tank
« Reply #1 on: 22 March 2007, 18:59 »
could just be a leak in the header tank seal as well tho could be the gasket, wi the cap off and the engine warmed up then if you rev it and the water overflows or bubbles or disappears then the gasket is gone. Its not hard to fix but annoying tho the motor is obviously tight to work on.

If the cap is just a poor seal then as the water gets hot it boils as the leak prevents normal pressure build up. Water boils at 100oC at sea level but engines need it to reach 120 without boiling so use pressure to reduce the boiling point. A leak anywhere defeats this an it boils over.
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Offline trevg

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Re: vr6 steam coming out of the header tank
« Reply #2 on: 22 March 2007, 19:49 »
thanks for the advice .one of the water pipes from the header to the block is split could this be the cause ? :smiley:

Offline EvilScotsman

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Re: vr6 steam coming out of the header tank
« Reply #3 on: 22 March 2007, 20:50 »
definately, tho a head gasket gone can split hoses too through too much pressure. Change the split hose and check everythings sealed tight, topping the coolant up to the max then run it up to temp with the cap tight, if its not leaking anymore and the gasket is good it should hold its temp. At idle it'll hit 90 eventually anyway and the fans will cut in, but driving should sit about 70 - 80. That hose is the return for expanding coolant overflow from the block and would cause overheating on any car if split.

If you run it cold with the cap off, and the head gasket is leaking it'll either overflow when its revved or suck it away and blow it down the exhaust. If it does neither then put the cap on and let it warm up. Should be ok hopefully! Check the level after a drive and it should be at least at MIN on the tank as all the water will be in the system but anywhere between MIN and MAX is good.
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Offline trevg

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Re: vr6 steam coming out of the header tank
« Reply #4 on: 23 March 2007, 20:03 »
also got a load of rust coloured gunk around the t section on the block any idea what this is ?    CHEERS TREV :smiley:

Offline tommk3cab

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Re: vr6 steam coming out of the header tank
« Reply #5 on: 24 March 2007, 23:12 »
if thats where the water has been leaking then it will be from that, your water probably in fact almost definatly will have some rust particles in it, in my renault, the water tank would regularly look as though it was full of mud and need flushing, common problem in renaults.