Mk2 16v Question

[Nathan]

Hi guys

New to the mk2 section. Test drove a 16v today 1990 on a H plate. car was in good condtion, but I have a question which I hope some one might be able to answer.

I drove the car for about 25 minutes, Made sure it was up to tempreture and opened it up a bit and every thing seemed great, very tight(110k on clock) but when I got it back to the seller house I opened up the coolant tank and it boiled straight over over and there was clearly a lot of pressure in the tank. Is this normal or could this be a sing of a HGF on the way?

Many thanks for any help

Nathan

[DarnPB]

Yes that is normal and what you did was a bit daft as you could have been badly hurt. Never remove the coolant cap if the engine is hot, or even warm. The water system is a pressure system. The warmer the water, the higher the pressure. Water normally boils at 100 degrees C, but if it is under pressure, the boiling point rises and can go up past 110 degrees C. I don't need to point out how badly scalded someone could get if they came into contact with such high water temps.
If you did suspect high pressure, then that could also mean low coolant level or an air lock in the system.

[Nathan]

Thanks for that, so hopefully it is noithing to much to worry about.

[Godzilla]

16v's run hot mate! Perfectly normal for that to happen.....nothing to worry about 

[jammac]

that happen on any car wouldnt it??? even a diesel dog?

[Godzilla]

16v's can reach 116c in traffic.

[tom26]

my 16v also runs hot. think its quite normal

[curlie467]

that happen on any car wouldnt it??? even a diesel dog?

It certainly would, they will all do that unless you let the pressure off slowly.

[Gambit]

my old 16v used to hit 124 sitting in traffic, current one will hit about 112

@jammac - yeah it would happen on any car

[bobbymk11]

all mk2 16vs run hot in traffic...very normal and temp gauge usualy sits over half way mark 3/4 in traffic somtimes more...depends how bad traffic is...nothing to worry about...never has been its the way they are built...

and wouldnt recomend opening coolant cap on expansion tank on any car even after 5 minutes of driving...cos they will all do this and ur liable to get nast burn off water or steam....