Citroen C3 Overheating Error After Going Uphill Then Downhill

[Kirstystewart]

Hi Please help!

 

Yesterday I took my car on a test run to my job it was 40 miles there and we turned straight back, I went up a hill then down and the over heating error came on (my car doest show temperature bars) I pulled over and the fan was going crazy I turned off the car and called the rac as the car had plenty of coolant the rac couldn't find any problems restarted the car after 30 mins and the overheating error did not come back on, drove the car all the way back. as I have a new job I had to do the journey again today only to find the exact same spot it came up again as over heating just before the error came up the car fans were blowing colder air so I pulled over left the car off for 10 mins and then drove it home does anyone have any ideas? I have had my Citroen C3 for 6 years and changed the thermostat this year sorry if this doesn't make sense but if someone could help me please

[paul.h]

Welcome to the forum.

 

It is possible there is nothing wrong with your car. However, it needs checking. Our 2003 1.4 petrol C3 a couple of times went to max temp on the bars and the high temperature light came on and the fan was running. Checks did not show anything and on the second time I used the cabin heater on max temp and air flow to remove more heat from the engine with a window open and slowed down and this brought the indicated temp down.

 

Checks needed:

- anti freeze level in the header tank is not low and the tank cap is sealing and you can not hear bubbles going round the coolant piping when sat in the car with the engine running (a sign air needs bleeding out which could happen if the anti freeze has recently been drained/refilled).

- the engine oil level is between min and max.

- the thermostat is opening - the top radiator hose should be hot.

- the engine fan starts at 96°C on low speed and then high speed if the temperature does not come down.

- there are no anti freeze leaks.

- check for oil in the anti freeze, anti freeze in the oil, more steam than normal in the exhaust - these are to look for signs of a cylinder head gasket failure.

- use a code reader with live data to see what temperature the coolant sensor is showing - should be the outside temperature before starting the engine, then rise to about 90 to 96°C with the thermostat opening about 89°C. Other members have reported the high temp coming on soon after starting the engine and replacing the temp sensor cured the fault. If you have a 1.4 petrol engine then there are 2 temp sensors on the gearbox end of the cylinder head - one for the gauge and engine fan and another for the high temp alert - but both will give the high temp alert.

- check the wiring to the temp sensor is in good condition.

- the radiator is not blocked on the outside.

- you can also check the brakes are not binding which would require the engine to work harder.

- if it happens again, turn off the air con if it is on, put the cabin heater to max temp and the blower to max flow and see if it helps.

 

In our case, the 2 events were 1 year apart, once after use on the M62 and the other whilst on the M62 going up a hill. Later I changed the thermostat, anti freeze and water pump whilst replacing the timing belt and the problem never happened again. A check on the old thermostat did not show a problem. The temp sensor seemed to be indicating correctly from live data and the engine fan cut in as it should.