Idling & Starting Issues After Car Overheating

[4drlvr]

Lent my car to my folks and when they came back my dad told me that the air con wasnt working. Started the car it took an extra crank to start and was making a funny noise in the engine. Went to take the car to the mechanics to have a look at and while driving on the freeway the car just turned off. Pulled over and lifted the bonet to notice steam coming out from the radiator. Stupid me didnt look at the temp guage which was sitting on hot. Let the car cool down and then opened the radiatior and it was empty. Bought some coolent and topped the radiator up and drove home. The radiator was cracked on the top which is now fixed. But when i start the car in normal conditions it takes and extra crank to start. In the morning it just cranks and cranks and finally starts.

There was coolent all over the engine bay and also when its idling its idleing a bit lower than it should which is making the car almost turn off when you accelerate (its auto).

Anything i should check, as to why its not starting on the first crank like it did. Any place i should check for moisture where coolent could have got in. Other than that its fine.

Please help!!!!

[Bl4cK32]

Sounds like you are losing compression in one of the cylinders due to it overheating.

Id hate to say it, but sounds like you done a headgasket. Fill the radiator up, and start the car with teh cap off. Get someone to rev the car. If it bubbles the coolant, its the blown headgasket. Also check if theres white smoke coming out the exhaust.

[4drlvr]

Hi

I did get my gf to rev the car while i checked for smoke, none at all. If Im im losing compression shoulnt it be losing power as well.

The car seems as per normal to drive, so hmmmmmm. Eng temp is good as well.......

Il checked the radiator thing though. Should i look for water stains around the head???

Edited March 29, 2006 by 4drlvr

[Bl4cK32]

I had the same problem in myt gf's car. Hard to start, but it ran fine, and normal to drive. Engine temp stayed fine while it had water in there. It was still the headgasket though. Water stains around the head wont be there, as its probably a leak internally.

[4drlvr]

Thanks for that Bl4cK32. Yeh i id get my to rev the car while i watched the radiator but no bubbles. I reset the ecu and now the idle seems to be a bit better but i think i need to drive it a bit more.

IF it is the head gasket which we are almost sure, what do you recommend doing to the engine while replacing the head gasket.