My brother was using my car recently and tonight on his way home he said the temperature gauge went up to the red peak and there was steam/smoke coming from under the bonnet. He said he stopped the car and got out. There was water pouring heavily under the car*towards the front) and a little bit through the front grill of the car. He figured that the car has a radiator leak. In his 'wisdom', and because there was no auto store open or nearby, instead of buying a rad fix type product which might temporarily fix the problem he waited for the car to cool down and then cracked an egg into the radiator. He then topped it up with my antifreeze and some water. First thing I'd like to know is this? What was the thinking behind the egg and is it going to damage the radiator? Sounds like one of those terrible wives tale solutions. Also I'm gonna look a right idiot when I do get a mechanic to check it out this week and he finds a poached egg in the radiator. Anyway, my brother got the car back to me, and when he did it was steaming a little from the radiator around where the cap sits on(probably cooking the egg!!!). But the temperature gauge was in the middle which looks normal enough to me. No real suggestion of over heating anymore.
What I'd also like to know is this? Does this look like an easy enough fix such as a rad leak or a worn house or something, or might it be the head gasket?
I haven't really noticed any strange engine noise and the car has been running fairly well for a 97 Carine E. It's a 1.6 litre petrol.
Only strange things I've noticed in the past 6 to 12 months were the car losing power last year shortly after startup, which seemed to be solved after spraying the Idle Air Control Valve with Carburetor Cleaner. And then about 3 months ago, the leanburn sensor warning light finally turned off after being on for years. I never replaced the Leanburn Sensor since it failed as it was a known fail in the car and it had no impact on the car test so I just left it. But the warning light for the failed sensor has been off now for at least 3 months! Doubt if that's relevant? So who can offer me advice or probables? And let me know if the egg was a good, bad or terrible idea!
Cheers!
What I'd also like to know is this? Does this look like an easy enough fix such as a rad leak or a worn house or something, or might it be the head gasket?
I haven't really noticed any strange engine noise and the car has been running fairly well for a 97 Carine E. It's a 1.6 litre petrol.
Only strange things I've noticed in the past 6 to 12 months were the car losing power last year shortly after startup, which seemed to be solved after spraying the Idle Air Control Valve with Carburetor Cleaner. And then about 3 months ago, the leanburn sensor warning light finally turned off after being on for years. I never replaced the Leanburn Sensor since it failed as it was a known fail in the car and it had no impact on the car test so I just left it. But the warning light for the failed sensor has been off now for at least 3 months! Doubt if that's relevant? So who can offer me advice or probables? And let me know if the egg was a good, bad or terrible idea!
Cheers!