Broken down emergency help please !!!
Broken down emergency help please !!!
Author
Discussion

Mr Clifford

Original Poster:

816 posts

256 months

Monday 28th April 2014
quotequote all
Broken down and trying to get my car towed. Can anyone tell me where you'd starch a towing bar ?

Mr Clifford

Original Poster:

816 posts

256 months

Monday 28th April 2014
quotequote all
Done ! Thanks for the help people !!

Edited by Mr Clifford on Tuesday 29th April 10:40

glenrobbo

40,445 posts

179 months

Monday 28th April 2014
quotequote all
Hi Adrian,
Tried calling, left reply on your voicemail.

There should be a loop of steel welded to the front chassis crossmember just behind the bonnet apron.
Not really suitable for attaching towing bars, but a flat webbing towing strap is less likely to damage the bonnet &/or hinges.
It would be best to pop the bonnet open, then slacken off the bonnet hinge chassis attachment bolts, to allow it ro rise in the slots out of harm's way.

What is the nature of your breakdown?

Smokey Boyer

509 posts

160 months

Monday 28th April 2014
quotequote all
Have you got sorted now?

From memory there is a towing loop welded on to the underneath of the chassis at the front. it is a fair way underneath the car, and I suspect a towing bar will damage the underside of the bonnet at the front.


Mr Clifford

Original Poster:

816 posts

256 months

Monday 28th April 2014
quotequote all
Guys, what can i say !! Thank you so much for the support. 5 phone calls !!
I have just got in, its late so i wont call you back now but it just goes to show what brilliant people are on this site.

Basically at 8.30 was on the A45 Wellingborough dual carriageway when the temp went into the red and then steam blew.
I pulled over no puddles oil or anything. But felt i couldnt drive it. Rang the breakdown cover (not AA RAC or any of the biggys) and was told 11pm !!

Police came and bumped me into the rough off the carriageway and i now think the exhaust is now damaged, great night, and rang a mechanic pal who offered me a tow. Couldnt find the tow point hence email on here. In the end we topped up with water twice and limped home. Kin knackered now !

But, what a great bunch of people you are ! Help when you needed it most !! Beers all round ;-)

Ringing the garage first thing. We think its either a thermos sticking or blocked rad.


v8s4me

7,275 posts

248 months

Monday 28th April 2014
quotequote all
Mr Clifford said:
.......... We think its either a thermos sticking or blocked rad.
Or just a dodgy pressure cap?

Mr Clifford

Original Poster:

816 posts

256 months

Tuesday 29th April 2014
quotequote all
Pressure cap brand new

Mr Clifford

Original Poster:

816 posts

256 months

Tuesday 29th April 2014
quotequote all
Last thermostat fitted 20,00 miles / 9 years ago

TVRJAS

2,391 posts

158 months

Tuesday 29th April 2014
quotequote all
Mr Clifford said:
Last thermostat fitted 20,00 miles / 9 years ago
Glad you and the car are safe back home,and hoping for an easy fix.

Your statement could be the problem... You don't use it enough wink


v8s4me

7,275 posts

248 months

Tuesday 29th April 2014
quotequote all
Mr Clifford said:
Pressure cap brand new
That's no guarantee it's not dodgy.

Mr Clifford

Original Poster:

816 posts

256 months

Tuesday 29th April 2014
quotequote all
v8s4me said:
That's no guarantee it's not dodgy.
True !
Lets see what tomorrow brings ;-)

phillpot

17,508 posts

212 months

Tuesday 29th April 2014
quotequote all

Time for "Evans Waterless Coolant"!


If pressure cap is all you've changed since last driving it that would be my first suspect.

Nice new "bling" cap..... had to use double washer to get it to seal irked.


Top Gear TVR

2,251 posts

183 months

Tuesday 29th April 2014
quotequote all
And this begs the question- which cap where? Pressure release on swirly it has to be????

A small cap leak can definitely cause this, simply damage at or a rubbish new swirl pot neck can cause it. This is what lead to my stainless necked pot :-)

Chinacrxp has a lot to answer for

Hope you get sorted soon.

glenrobbo

40,445 posts

179 months

Tuesday 29th April 2014
quotequote all
Have you checked that the rad fan spins freely ( ie not seizing up ) & the otter switch is working ?
Also check that the fan fuse hasn't blown.

Mr Clifford

Original Poster:

816 posts

256 months

Tuesday 29th April 2014
quotequote all
Just an update. Then i am off to work !
Pressure cap is 5,000 miles old. About 18 months.
It lives on the swirl pot.
It appears no water is getting though the rad. Cold out pipe. Either due to poor/dead thermostat or blocked rad.
Car cant go in until next week so I will wait patiently until then.
Thanks for the advice people,
very much appreciated.

Cheers, Adrian

v8s4me

7,275 posts

248 months

Tuesday 29th April 2014
quotequote all
Just pop out the thermostat and run it without. If it solves the problem it will save you a garage bill and keep you on the road for the Bank Holiday. thumbup

phillpot

17,508 posts

212 months

Tuesday 29th April 2014
quotequote all
Unless you bled the rad every time you topped up it will be seriously air-locked by now scratchchin


With a few tests a competent garage should be able to get to the bottom of things pretty quickly


Mr Clifford said:
Pressure cap brand new
Took that to mean "brand brand new" hence suspicion of it being the problem! wink

Mr Clifford

Original Poster:

816 posts

256 months

Tuesday 29th April 2014
quotequote all
v8s4me said:
Just pop out the thermostat and run it without. If it solves the problem it will save you a garage bill and keep you on the road for the Bank Holiday. thumbup
My plan tomorrow.

Mr Clifford

Original Poster:

816 posts

256 months

Tuesday 29th April 2014
quotequote all
phillpot said:
Unless you bled the rad every time you topped up it will be seriously air-locked by now scratchchin


With a few tests a competent garage should be able to get to the bottom of things pretty quickly


Mr Clifford said:
Pressure cap brand new
Took that to mean "brand brand new" hence suspicion of it being the problem! wink



Agree. First test tomorrow air locks. . If water doesn't go through the rad then the Thermostats coming out. (once its cooled down :-) )

Top Gear TVR

2,251 posts

183 months

Tuesday 29th April 2014
quotequote all
Check the system is drawing in water from header tànk as it cools too: the ultimate test if the seals.