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[HockeyDave55]

Hi guys....

Why is it that things happen when you need it least??
While driving to work this morning, at about 10 miles of a 10 1/2 mile trip, the car made a howling/screeching sound that lasted just a few seconds and then died off.
While this happened, I glanced at the temp gauge and it was over 100!!! I then went over a roundabout and the temp dropped to under 80?

I parked up at work, popped the bonnet and the headset tank was empty!!!???
I cracked off the cap, lots of hissing and some water came back to the tank...

I've had a look round but I can't see any sign of a leak???
I have been told the the V6 head gaskets never go, Is this true?

Has anyone go any ideas???

[andymp]

Good god no. They go all the time. Also on the vectra v6. Not the nicest of jobs changing them neither... though made easier because the engine is set front to back.

[sjc]

Mine went pretty much the same way recently.

Started with coolant loss from the water pump but the header tank seemed to be highly pressurised.  I replaced the water pump and all was ok for a few weeks until it started using water again but this time it was idling on 4 or 5 cylinders, eventually let go in same manner as you describe, without any obvious noise, but with lots of white smoke from the exhaust.  It's now stuck in the drive with a cylinder half full of water!

Exhaust gas analyser in the header tank should confirm it for you - if you have a friendly local garage.

[andymp]

Guessing your water pump bearing is going... needs sorting before it takes the timing belt with it.

[zirk]

They do go and very quickly if the water pump is not spinning. any leeks or left over stains from under the water pump?

[zirk]

Guessing your water pump bearing is going... needs sorting before it takes the timing belt with it.

V6 so runs off the Aux Belt. 

[andymp]

Oh yes. My bad... 

[symes]

3litre more prone to head gasket failure than 2.5 but it could be the coolant bridge(under inlet at rear of engine) these let go too-if engine runs fine -no missfires etc would check that and HBV- HTH 

[HockeyDave55]

Thanks guys, I have another car I can use so now I'm thinking of taking it off the road! :-(
I do have a belt kit and a whole load of other stuff so it looks like a water pump, HBV and bridge will be done at the same time.... BUGGER!!!

[HockeyDave55]

UPDATE.....

Just been out and put 4 ltrs of water in it, started her up and the header tank level went right away but I could deffinately see water coming off the front of the engine...
Seems it is the water pump.... :-/

[dbug]

Pop aux belt off and rock water pump pulley by hand - you should feel play if nackered.  When my elite one went same symptoms as yours, pulley very "loose" as bearing had collapsed.

[HockeyDave55]

Pop aux belt off and rock water pump pulley by hand - you should feel play if nackered.  When my elite one went same symptoms as yours, pulley very "loose" as bearing had collapsed.

Thanks for the tip, I'll do it tomorrow.
I'm am positive it's the pump as all the dirty, smelly water soaking the front of the block.... Oh well.... :-(

[JamesV6CDX]

I am in Aylesbury (well, Wendover) much of the time, if you aren't confident investigating/changing the parts..

[HockeyDave55]

I am in Aylesbury (well, Wendover) much of the time, if you aren't confident investigating/changing the parts..

Thanks for the offer James, I can do it it's just a matter of time and weather....

[car5car]

My car had bent cylinder heads.