Cause for car fires: overheating, engine electrical faults

[Baal]

 

 

You just monitor your car regularly. If it needs to top-up once a month, then that is its trend. If suddenly it becomes top-up less than a month, then something is wrong....

 

 

 

 

 

When that happens = look for recon set liao.....

 

Yep when I find that I need to pour in 500ml to reach the brim....sian liao....

[TVT]

 

When that happens = look for recon set liao.....

 

Yep when I find that I need to pour in 500ml to reach the brim....sian liao....

 

Did you check your manual? Some cars do lose radiator water due to heat, but the lost should very little....so it could be normal.

[Baal]

 

Did you check your manual? Some cars do lose radiator water due to heat, but the lost should very little....so it could be normal.

 

It only states to check regularly. Don't recall it indicating the "normal" level of water losses.

[Earthboy]

<snip>

 

My 8 yo now needs to top up appox 350ml of water a mth. During younger days, no such requirement.

<snip>

bro, OT abit. so there is leak or radiator not as efficient? or engine old liao will run hotter?

[Baal]

bro, OT abit. so there is leak or radiator not as efficient? or engine old liao will run hotter?

 

Engine wise unsure. But I thot older engine = reciprocating parts not as tight.....so less friction (less heat).....erm I know it sounds like....but....

 

However, if the coolant/water tunnels in the engine block is closing up due to deposit build up then I guess yes. Applying the idea from heart disease....clogged arteries, blood flow restricted.

 

Read in one of the other threads that with age, radiator hose/clips may not be as tight. Hence, though no visible leak, there could still be liquid losses in the form of slight water vapour/steam escaping when the radiator is hot & operating under high internal pressure. In such situations, stains from coolant leaks may not be as visible.

[TVT]

Read in one of the other threads that with age, radiator hose/clips may not be as tight. Hence, though no visible leak, there could still be liquid losses in the form of slight water vapour/steam escaping when the radiator is hot & operating under high internal pressure. In such situations, stains from coolant leaks may not be as visible.

 

Did you check your radiator cap ?

[Baal]

 

Did you check your radiator cap ?

To ne honest, no.

 

Dont say liao.......earlier after reaching home, i did my usual rev to 2k, let it settle to idle b4 turning off ignition.

 

From my quek doctor exp, when i hear low end rumbling as the revs settle, it usually means soon can top up coolant reserve. Usually this symptom presents around towards the end of the month.

 

Just now, when I did the usual.....I heard that low end rumbling. I just filled my reserve last month end & today is only the 14 April . sigh......

Probably be going ws this Thurs since I took a day off to bring my kid for medical appt.

[Pisces69]

To ne honest, no.

 

Dont say liao.......earlier after reaching home, i did my usual rev to 2k, let it settle to idle b4 turning off ignition.

 

From my quek doctor exp, when i hear low end rumbling as the revs settle, it usually means soon can top up coolant reserve. Usually this symptom presents around towards the end of the month.

 

Just now, when I did the usual.....I heard that low end rumbling. I just filled my reserve last month end & today is only the 14 April . sigh......

Probably be going ws this Thurs since I took a day off to bring my kid for medical appt.

 

 

There sud b NO NEED for u to top -up yr reservoir at all. If u do need to top-up means there is a leak in yr cooling system.

 

Better get it checked n fixed ASAP cos one day it wil burst n then u r stranded whereever u r.

[Pisces69]

 

When that happens = look for recon set liao.....

 

Yep when I find that I need to pour in 500ml to reach the brim....sian liao....

 

 

When u say "Brim" of what?.....Radiator cap or reservoir(expansion tank) cap???

 

The water expands when hot so u need to have some empty space in yr expansion tank.

 

When engine cold: Coolant above the MIN mark

 

When engine hot: Coolant just below the MAX mark.

 

U sud never top up coolant tru the radiator cap. Only if yr expansion tank is EMPTY, then u wait till engine COLD then top up coolant to the top of the radiator cap then fill up expansion tank till just above the MIN mark n monitor when engine is HOT.

 

BTW if u find the expansion tank is EMPTY then its overdue u send yr car to ws for checking for leaks n repair alrdy.

To ne honest, no.

 

Dont say liao.......earlier after reaching home, i did my usual rev to 2k, let it settle to idle b4 turning off ignition.

 

From my quek doctor exp, when i hear low end rumbling as the revs settle, it usually means soon can top up coolant reserve. Usually this symptom presents around towards the end of the month.

 

Just now, when I did the usual.....I heard that low end rumbling. I just filled my reserve last month end & today is only the 14 April . sigh......

Probably be going ws this Thurs since I took a day off to bring my kid for medical appt.

 

Why u doing this rev till 2K nonsense???????

 

If the level keeps dropping to the MIN in the expansion tank means there is a leak simple as that.

[Baal]

 

 

When u say "Brim" of what?.....Radiator cap or reservoir(expansion tank) cap???

 

The water expands when hot so u need to have some empty space in yr expansion tank.

 

When engine cold: Coolant above the MIN mark

 

When engine hot: Coolant just below the MAX mark.

 

U sud never top up coolant tru the radiator cap. Only if yr expansion tank is EMPTY, then u wait till engine COLD then top up coolant to the top of the radiator cap then fill up expansion tank till just above the MIN mark n monitor when engine is HOT.

 

BTW if u find the expansion tank is EMPTY then its overdue u send yr car to ws for checking for leaks n repair alrdy.

 

Why u doing this rev till 2K nonsense???????

 

If the level keeps dropping to the MIN in the expansion tank means there is a leak simple as that.

"Brim" is wrt to the the reserve (plastic container). I never top up from radiator cap. I only top up at the black plastic container with cap labelled coolant.

 

 

There sud b NO NEED for u to top -up yr reservoir at all. If u do need to top-up means there is a leak in yr cooling system.

 

Better get it checked n fixed ASAP cos one day it wil burst n then u r stranded whereever u r.

 

Ok, noted w thanks.

Edited April 14, 2014 by Baal

[Yuan]

 

Yes, I have the above lights.

 

Problem is that the manual phrases it like when the lights, in particular for coolant & eo pressure lights up.....its somewhat like emergency already. Quickly pull to the side asap or risk potential severe damage to engine.

 

I'm unsure if the manual states it this way as they don't want the driver to procrastinate and thus "create a sense of urgency" or in reality when the lights are up, driver can still drive another 8-10km, park the car, let it cool & do the needful. Add oil, add water, etc.

 

I was earlier referring to gauges that are add on stuff as seen in magazines.

 

For easy checking, just look at the coolant temperature. Usually the pointer or needle stays at the middle. Once it starts moving gradually toward the red portion, then it is time to stop the car promptly or immediately and call for assistance.

 

At some point the needle continues to move toward the end of the red portion, then the light will come out. By then it may be too late.

[Baal]

 

For easy checking, just look at the coolant temperature. Usually the pointer or needle stays at the middle. Once it starts moving gradually toward the red portion, then it is time to stop the car promptly or immediately and call for assistance.

 

At some point the needle continues to move toward the end of the red portion, then the light will come out. By then it may be too late.

Thats the problem, my car dont have that Temp Gauge.

 

Its only blue light when engine is cold.........& red light when coolant/engine too hot.

 

maybe in view that old cars need more close monitoring......should I pqp the car, I would install 3 add on gauges.

 

- EO pressure

- coolant temp

- Volt meter

[Yuan]

Thats the problem, my car dont have that Temp Gauge.

 

Its only blue light when engine is cold.........& red light when coolant/engine too hot.

 

maybe in view that old cars need more close monitoring......should I pqp the car, I would install 3 add on gauges.

 

- EO pressure

- coolant temp

- Volt meter

 

If your engine is stock, no need all of the above.

 

EO pressure is only needed if you track and your car is not stock.

 

Volt meter is, in my opinion, not necessary if you want to check your battery condition or voltage level. A pair of those clip on multi-meter or battery tester would be cheaper, practical and more accurate.

[Baal]

 

If your engine is stock, no need all of the above.

 

EO pressure is only needed if you track and your car is not stock.

 

Volt meter is, in my opinion, not necessary if you want to check your battery condition or voltage level. A pair of those clip on multi-meter or battery tester would be cheaper, practical and more accurate.

oh ok.

 

this morning, after letting kid alight at school, checked my coolant reserve. added in about 350ml. this Thurs prepare to $ liao.

 

Hope its not the radiator itself but wear & tear on the hoses & securing clips.

[Earthboy]

bro, this gauge is not cheap. you might as well fix the coolant issue IMO

Thats the problem, my car dont have that Temp Gauge.

 

Its only blue light when engine is cold.........& red light when coolant/engine too hot.

 

maybe in view that old cars need more close monitoring......should I pqp the car, I would install 3 add on gauges.

 

- EO pressure

- coolant temp

- Volt meter

 

[Earthboy]

btw, you added distilled water or just tap water?

oh ok.

 

this morning, after letting kid alight at school, checked my coolant reserve. added in about 350ml. this Thurs prepare to $ liao.

 

Hope its not the radiator itself but wear & tear on the hoses & securing clips.

 

[Puteh83]

Just to add on...

Followed a frd to workshop recently after his after mkt car alarm fried. Mechanic popped the bonnet and got a shock.. the whole wiring chao tar.. and he mentioned that the car will burst in flame soon if the alarm system not fried! Quite scary some after mkt installers are...

[Baal]

btw, you added distilled water or just tap water?

 

 

Used to add distilled. Last 2 rounds tap.

 

Distilled is best, but considering that last 7-8yrs, I send car for 10k servicing, my guess is ws just wack tap water.