Cooling system headache !!

2003 Vauxhall Vivaro 1.9d
Car: Vauxhall Vivaro
Year: 2003
Variant: 1.9d
Categories: Electrics, ECU, Warnings & Lights
The problem is, on a regular basis the temp on the van shoots right up and the electric fan comes on, so I look to see if I need water and coolant/ antifreeze and it looks like I do, I wait for everything to cool down (even waited until next day sometimes) and the expansion tank is still looking nearly empty but when I undo the top it refils and sometimes overflows, spoken to different garages and now my head is spinning please can somebody just give me some honest answers!!
Problem added: Feb 3, 2013 (11 years ago)
Sounds like you have got an air lock in the system. First thing you need to do is to bleed the system to eliminate this and then see if that cures your problem....
Answered Feb 3, 2013 (11 years ago)
If stiil having trouble after bleeding , might be worthwhile getting a block test to see if head gasket is cause of cooling system over pressurising .
Answered Feb 3, 2013 (11 years ago)
Thanks for the suggestions with the cooling system will try them, does anybody know how to bleed the system,I have very limited knowledge of engines although I am able,is this the type of thing I could do myself?
Answered Feb 3, 2013 (11 years ago)
Thanks for the suggestions, I will try them. Is bleeding the system a simple process, although I don't have a great knowledge of engines I am capable!
Answered Feb 3, 2013 (11 years ago)
You just run the vehicle with your heater fan on and remove the cap to let air out there are no bleed screws on that system it should really self bleed unless you have a hose problem or there's a problem with the cap.you could check your top and bottom radiator hoses are at the same temp. When the systems hot,if they are not then you may have other issue such as thermostat,blockage,water pump impeller,or head gasket.
Answered Feb 3, 2013 (11 years ago)
First off get a gas/dye test done,the test fluid changes colour if the head gasket is gone.waste of time without doing this .
Second,there's a number of bleed screws in various hoses on these,at least 4 if I recall.bleed all in sequence
and if this doesn't fix it there's a super little complex cooling fan system with 2 sensors and 2 relays tied into the ecu and the body module,you just don't want to go there.good luck.
Answered Feb 3, 2013 (11 years ago)
I looked at that model at work today and can see no bleed screws? I know you should normally get them on the smaller hoses to let air out ?
Answered Feb 5, 2013 (11 years ago)

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