2000 206 Overheating

[stu220]

Needing help!

I have a 2000 206 petrol which overheats when the car has been stationary for an extended period of time (namely in stop start/heavy traffic) However as soon as I build up speed or turn on the fan (temp hot) it returns down to normal. The fan doesn't turn on until it is well into the red and then only stays on for short periods of time.

It has plenty of coolant. As I'm not mechanically gifted I don't know if it is a faulty sensor or seal or what ever.

[chopsim1]

Sounds like the thermostat has packed up. Not a big job.

[richiepearce]

The fan should kick in before it gets to the red.
Has it run very low on coolant?
Does it take a long time to warm up?
When it is warmed up are both top and bottom hoses hot to the touch?

[chopsim1]

Sorry, didnt read your post properly, didnt see the bit about the fan coming on when its in the red.

[stu220]

@chopsim1

Thanks I thought I could be something like that, although it does go through a lot of coolant. But there are never any wet patches underneath the engine bay. Are the 206's prone to excessive coolant use?

[nige65]

Originally Posted by stu220

@chopsim1

Thanks I thought I could be something like that, although it does go through a lot of coolant. But there are never any wet patches underneath the engine bay. Are the 206's prone to excessive coolant use?

Nope is there any white cream in oil filler or oil in coolant ?
If so it will be headgasket.

[chopsim1]

Does it only get hot when the coolant is low?
I would check for mayonnaise under the oil filler cap or on the dipstick, this could give an indicator of head gasket problems. Though if you only do short trips, its more than likely condensation that will cause white gunk.
I would have a crack at the thermostat first. Its the cheapest option on the list apart from "ignore it".

[john_h]

you say its using quite alot of coolant...what are you replacing it with? if its water, it maybe just boiling off and escaping that way.

bad to say it but i find the best stuff is the premixed from the dealers, can go higher in the temperature range before boiling and lower before freezing. i got a health report on mine and according to their computer and testing equipment mine can go upto 207 degrees celcius....and doesnt freeze untill -25 degrees celcius.

i would personally use that stuff and check to see if its not just boiling off before replacing any parts. but thats me personally.

another note, its normal for a car to heat up in slow moving, stop start. keep being pro-active and open your drivers windows, close the middle vents, direct the far passenger and drivers vents outside and turn your heat to max and blowers to max...turn off aircon and recycle air. i do this in newcastle traffic at 5pm, on the tyne bridge (the northern lot will know how bad it gets) and i get my engine from around 90 to around 80.

[richiepearce]

If there is no "mayo" i would suggest making sure there is not an air lock.
bleed the system,
make sure it feels as hot at the fan sender as it does by the temp sensor best to measure with thermometer if poss,
using the correct type and percentage of coolant,
after it has been stood over night remove plugs check to see if they are all the same colour and dry and get someone to turn ingition over (remove multiplug from coil and dont look directley down the plug holes)see if any water shoots out,
change the expansion tank filler cap if all the above checks out ok.

I never do as alot of people seem to do and jump down the hg failure road.
Obviously if i were doing it i would make the above checks then would do compression test, pressure test and maybe sniff test depending on my findings

[mohdramli]

My 206 is behaving the same way. I had tried to change temp sensor, coolant sensor but no good. The fan ok, tried simulation of fast fan ok. Temp keep rising even though fast speed fan running. I believe my water pump is problem, because, when I ramp the engine, the temperature came back to normal. let see tommorrow when I open up the waterpump.