Engine blown up

[ypt]

My engine recently "blew up" - smoke or steam coming from under the bonnet - anyone else had a similar problem.

[smurf24uk]

It sounds like your engine overheated for some reason. The safety valve will have released the excess pressure in the cooling system, which will have been the steam coming from under the bonnet.

Hopefully, you should have done no damage to your engine. If it was still running before you turned it off you should be ok. I have known people carry on driving and they seized their engine.

First things to look for are any signs that any coolant hoses have released any coolant. This isn't a likely cause, but a possible consequence. If all looks ok, make sure the coolant is topped up and start the engine. Watch the temperature gauge as it warms up. It should reach about half way and stay there. Check that the fan is cutting in and out, holding the temperature at about half way. If the fan doesn't cut in, and the temperature gauge is heading for the top of the normal range (the white band on the temperature gauge), turn the engine off. You have either a problem with the thermostat or the fan.

If the fan is cutting in, but the temperature is still rising towards the top of the normal range, turn off the engine. You most likely have a blockage in the coolant system. Radiators are the usual place for blockages. These can sometimes be flushed out with a hose pipe. If it cannot be flushed through with a hose pipe, it is probably badly blocked and you will need a new one. Then you need to work out why it has become blocked. Blockages are normally caused by coolant not being renewed at the correct intervals. How old is your HR-V?

I hope this helps.

Richard

[mrtn]

one more cause is using the instant radiator repair powders and similar stuff, which fix the minor leaks but at the cost of the cooling system. it thickens the coolant and covers the insides with itself leading to worse cooling efficiency and eventually clogging up the radiator as it is the tightest part of the system.

[HRV-BEN-UK]

Seems like the thermostat to me. Which engine was it and how many miles has it done?

[ypt]

Thanks everyone for your comments - the actual cause is stone damage to the radiator. 24 month old, 35000 miles - cannot say more while in discussion with Honda UK - requiring brand new engine - all plastic bits melted. Watch this space. :cry:

[alfspine]

I think that it happened to HRV-BEN too.
As soon as I can, I'm going to do the mod he did to protect the radiator. Follow this link.
:arrow: http://www.hondasuv.com/forum_mdx/viewtopic.php?t=56

[HRV-BEN-UK]

Yes it certainly did but the hole was small enough to contain before the coolant ran out. As I have said on a number of occasions get the radiator protected with some mesh not only will it protect but also looks as if it was a standard fitting so not upsetting the folks who like to keep things as it came out of the factory.

Please let us know how you get with Honda.

Ben