Coolant Warning

[Deleted member 134751]

I had some tyres replaced at my local MB garage earlier this week and within 10 miles of driving away, I get a red warning on the dashboard that says “Coolant Stop Vehicle Switch Engine Off”.

I was surprised because I believe they also normally do a ‘health check’ on the car whenever you have it in for work, so would have thought a lack of coolant would be identified.

Anyway, I left the car for a few days as I was out of town and I checked the coolant level this evening as the engine was cold and on a level surface. It was dark at the time so a bit hard to tell but it looked like I was filled up to the right level. I will check again in the morning to be sure.

I have also noticed that the temperature gauge on the dashboard goes right up to the max (120) even after driving 1 mile. The fans also kick in and they stay on for at least 10 minutes after switching the engine off (I have never noticed my fans on like this before).

There are no dashboard warnings when the key is in position one. And when it’s in position two, the only warning is the red coolant warning. Acceleration also appears to be sluggish.

Can anyone suggest what might be the problem here? Could it be a sensor issue, and if so, how much would I be looking at to have it replaced?

And will it be ok to drive about 5 miles to the MB garage? I am pretty skint at the moment and I am worried about damaging the engine.

Thanks for any advice

 

[clk320x]

If the car has always been serviced by MB you should have access to Mobilo recovery free of charge. They will recover you to the MB dealer.

Contact Details
United Kingdom:

• National: 00800 1 777 7777
• International: +44-207 975 7077

 

[Deleted member 134751]

If the car has always been serviced by MB you should have access to Mobilo recovery free of charge. They will recover you to the MB dealer.

Contact Details
United Kingdom:

• National: 00800 1 777 7777
• International: +44-207 975 7077

Yeah I did actually ring them and they advised me to let the engine cool down and drive home as apparently they would not be able to do anything for me at the road side. I just hope it hasn't caused engine damage.

 

[Joderest]

could they have disturbed a connection somewhere when changing tyres and having wheels off ?

 

[Deleted member 134751]

could they have disturbed a connection somewhere when changing tyres and having wheels off ?

I was thinking this might have happened but I am not sure why anything related to the coolant would be linked to the wheels...I know very little about cars so perhaps I am wrong.

 

[Deleted member 134751]

My local MB dealer wants £120 to diagnose the issue (plus whatever it costs to fix the problem, no doubt)

Does this seem reasonable considering there was no problem with the car until they gave it back to me after taking 3 hours to fit 2 tyres?

Seems like a money grab.

 

[pmcgsmurf]

Have you double checked the coolant level?

 

[grober]

You seem to be experiencing a lot of dash warning lights? MAYBE YOUR PROBLEM IS ELECTRICAL?

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[Deleted member 134751]

Have you double checked the coolant level?

I have just checked it now while it's cold and level and the coolant tank has the correct about of coolant inside, up to the marker as per the manual.

Would this suggest it's safe to drive it? The fans keep kicking in which is why I'm concerned...although maybe they're doing that based on a faulty temperature reading? I'm no expert but it seems unlikely to me that the temperature is actually shooting up to 120+ after driving for a few minutes.

 

[Deleted member 134751]

You seem to be experiencing a lot of dash warning lights? MAYBE YOUR PROBLEM IS ELECTRICAL?

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I am only getting a coolant warning and high temp:

 

[pmcgsmurf]

If the lever is correct I'd like to see how it goes when started, an IR thermometer would be handy.

 

[grober]

Do you get all the warning lights on ignition switch on which then extinguish on cold engine start as per video?

 

[Deleted member 134751]

If the lever is correct I'd like to see how it goes when started, an IR thermometer would be handy.

Not got one of those unfortunately.

It starts and drives fine but acceleration seems a bit sluggish. As well as the warning, high temperature reading and fans kicking in, that's pretty much it - no other issues.

This is why I'm reluctant to pay them £120 to diagnose it, as to me the problem seems to be a faulty sensor of some sort which might just have come loose or something.

 

[pmcgsmurf]

Yes but on start up does the temp. go straight to max?

If it doesn't and it goes perhaps half way up then moves the last bit after "warming" up that would be ok (well not ok).

But if it sits at the bottom then rises rapidly going to max. it could actually point to overheating.

I've got an Icarsoft in Stirling if you want to stick it on it.

 

[GP801]

A faulty fan can trigger the coolant warning. Perhaps the fan running all the time would support this idea. It really does need to be properly diagnosed - an independent specialist with Star system should charge around £60. In the long run it could save you a lot of hassle and avoid replacing unnecessary bits.

 

[GP801]

Our 209 had the coolant warning light come on. Ran fine, no overheating.Levels fine. Replaced sensor for coolant level and the screen wash sensor as this can also trigger the warning. Needless to say no better so I took it to our trusted friends at PCS - new fan needed and all good.

 

[Deleted member 134751]

Yes but on start up does the temp. go straight to max?

If it doesn't and it goes perhaps half way up then moves the last bit after "warming" up that would be ok (well not ok).

But if it sits at the bottom then rises rapidly going to max. it could actually point to overheating.

Key In Ignition:

Nothing happens - just normal center display showing milage etc.

Position 1:

Same as above

Position 2:

All dashboard lights come on as normal (as seen in the video posted by grober above).

The temperature on the dashboard starts rising and takes about 60 seconds to reach just under 100 even though the engine is off.

Position 3:

Engine comes on - temperature goes all the way up to 120, fans kick in and the red “Coolant Stop Vehicle Switch Engine Off” warning comes on.

I turn the engine off, lock the car and the fans stay on for about 5 minutes.

Coolant Level:

Correctly filled up to the marker as per the manual.

I've got an Icarsoft in Stirling if you want to stick it on it.

Thanks for the offer - I appreciate it but I am worried about driving it and Stirling is about 10 miles. It's going to MB on Monday for a quick look (free of charge after pressing them) so I will see what comes of it.

 

[Deleted member 134751]

Do you get all the warning lights on ignition switch on which then extinguish on cold engine start as per video?

Yes - please see my post above for more details on what happens with each key position.

 

[pmcgsmurf]

Thanks for the offer - I appreciate it but I am worried about driving it and Stirling is about 10 miles. It's going to MB on Monday for a quick look (free of charge after pressing them) so I will see what comes of it.

It does sound like a fan or sensor problem with the temp. rising before you even have the engine running.

When you say it's going to "MB" I assume that will be Grangemouth so it's actually Arnold Clark, you know my opinion.
Just remember although they will look FOC, their labour rates are likely to be around £120+VAT as opposed to a good Indy at half of that.

 

[grober]

The coolant system on these engines is far from simple. see page 36 onwards. Both thermostat and switchable water pump are known to give trouble- perhaps your water pump is not switching on?
http://autocats.ws/manual/sdmedia/mediadb/mb_Acrobat/einf/204/einf_br204_cdi_OM651__en.pdf