Symptoms
Temperature gauge high, boiling over, loss of power on hills.
Likely cause
Silted radiator, sticking thermostat, slipping fan belt, incorrect ignition timing or a weak water pump.
Suggested fixes
Listed roughly in the order most owners try them.
- 1
Flush the cooling system
Reverse flush the block and radiator to remove silt.
- Difficulty:
- Easy DIY
- Cost:
- £ (Under about £50 in parts)
- 2
Recore the radiator
A new or recored radiator restores cooling capacity.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate DIY
- Cost:
- ££ (About £50 to £300)
- 3
Check timing and fan belt
Retarded timing and a slipping belt both cause overheating.
- Difficulty:
- Easy DIY
- Cost:
- £ (Under about £50 in parts)
This is general guidance gathered from owner experience and workshop practice, not a substitute for a workshop manual or a qualified mechanic. Costs are rough parts-only guides. Brakes, steering and suspension work affects safety, so if in doubt have it checked professionally.