I have a Rover 216 1997. When I am idling the temperature gauge sky rockets.What can this be?

Question

When I am sitting at traffic lights the temperature gauge jumps from the middle to the top. When I turned off my car after this it sounded like the fan was still going (actually I think I saw it still going). My keys were not in the ignition at this stage.

I have just recently had it serviced but have since travelled approximately 1500kms since.

I can only find water in the top right hand corner of the engine (close to the windscreen) in a plastic looking tank marked with min and max levels.

The water level looks to be below the min level. Do I just put some water in here or am I meant to have some coolant? I don't quite know what coolant is. Is there special coolant for her?

Could this also be an oil issue?

Answer 1

Your thermostat is sticking. Take the car to a garage and get it replaced.

Answer 2

Use coolant not just water, the temperature is usually about 85 degrees, when you have stopped it may increase to about 90 or just over then the fan will cut in, the fan will still work with the engine off, engine coolant up to the mark on the bottle, if the the temperature guage goes way over 90 degrees I would suggest a new thermostat.

Answer 3

You have to have a mix of at least 50/50 of water and antifreeze coolant. Without it your vehicle will over-heat in the warm months and the block of the motor will freeze and crack in the winter months at anything below 32 degrees you need to take it and have someone do this for you since you don't know anything about it. Just tell them you want your antifreeze flushed and changed. if your vehicle continues to get hot then your thermostat could be bad or also it could be sticking. When you have your antifreeze changed have them check your thermostat for you most of the time they do anyway. To make sure it is in proper working order. Ask at the parts store for a jug of antifreeze for a 1997 Rover 216 and they will give you the type of antifreeze you need. You should also take and have all your fluid levels checked regularly on your vehicle to keep down on wear and tear and maintainence.Good luck, best wishes.

Answer 4

You can but antifreeze to add to your coolant at any car parts/accessory store.
It is normal for the fan to keep running after you have switched the engine off when it is hot.
Be careful that you don't drive it far before you have the thermostat checked out, these engines are notorious for blowing the head gasket due to the relatively small level of coolant and their design.

Answer 5

The tank that you are looking at could be your windsheild washer fluid. I would take the car in to a repair shop and have them look it over. It could be low on coolant, or you could also have a bad water pump. Do this soon, as every time you overheat the engine you will do damage and then the repair will be a lot more costly when the heat finally destroys the engine.

good luck.

Answer 6

Sounds like it's low on water .I would put anti freeze in it since winter is coming. Start the engine then put it in the cooling tank. If you have a radiator cap you can take it off and add it there. It's not an oil prob. Your fan will run after the car is turned off ,until it cools down..then it will stop.

Answer 7

Thats a header tank you can put water in there up to the high mark , but you still have a problem it may be air lock which they are prone to . get a garage to bleed the water system , with your very limited knowledge i would get a garage to do it for you

Answer 8

if it continues to lose water. The chances are your head gasket needs replacing which always happens on these engines

Answer 9

water level should be at the range between min and max. not over the max.. check your radiator water, maybe it is not filled, check also the temp sensors , maybe its not working it is signalling a high temp....