98 Astra overheating

[joe22909]

On the way into work this morning my 98 Astra overheated. I checked the coolant levels and it looked to be almost empty.
Also checked the oil and found it to be a milky colour. The oil was changed only a few weeks ago. Anybody know if this is serious?

[larsen_huw]

Half a pound of tuppenny rice, and half a pound of treacle ...
that the way the money goes ...

Pop goes the Head Gasket!


Sorry to be the bearer of bad news ... but unless you've been very lucky, you've blown a head gasket ... at best. If the overheating was serious you could have warped the head ... and possibly the engine block.

Find out what material your engine is made off .... cast iron is good ... very heavy, but resists warping very well. Most old engines (pre-1980) are all cast iron. Aluminium is bad in your case, the engine is much lighter, but doesn't deal with overheating too well ... most modern engines are all aluminium.

[joe22909]

Thanks for that. Guessed it was probably the head gasket alright. I'm not sure if this might be a saving grace but once I saw that the temp guage was in the red I only drove for a few minutes until I was able to park up. The engine is aluminium. When I say the engine overheated it didn't actually cut out or anything. I just saw that the engine temperature went way up. I don't know if that's an indication of how serious the overhesting was.

[larsen_huw]

Well if you get the head gasket replaced, and the engine still acts as if it has a blown head gasket, then you've warped either the head or the block.

[rivolette]

Well if you get the head gasket replaced, and the engine still acts as if it has a blown head gasket, then you've warped either the head or the block.


That's very possible. But you might be lucky. How long did you actually drive it with the temperature guage up high? I imagine if you realized it early enough, your head and/or block may have been saved.

[joe22909]

I drove for no more than a few minutes after noticing the temp guage in the red. I even pulled in twice to let the engine cool down for a time until I could get a safe place to park. Not sure if this might have helped.

[tich]

You may just be lucky and have blown the head gasket, not too bad a job on these engines. Would suggest taking the head to an engineering shop or engine reconditioner or similar and ask them to test the head for straightness before bolting it back on; it may save you doing the job twice. Or at least let you know exactly what the problem is.