Sorry I am new to this...

[koriuk]

So please bear with me... I have recently bought my first car and it was indeed a Corsa B 1.2 ... Lovely little thing truly and I got it at a decent price too! Only one problem... Recently it has started really over heating... heading towards the RED and I have only once hear the fan kick in but that was almost on the RED so I panicked and pulled over... I had a couple of days before discovered that the car had no coolant whatsoever and was low on oil to which I was advised to fill her up with water... then told that's really really bad and so took some water out and topped her up with coolant... I have also accidentally over filled her with oil... to which I am told is not really a big deal but I have seen everywhere that this seems to be a pretty common problem with this breed and it usually requires removing the engine temperature sensor to set the fan on all the time? I have been searching for hours... over three hours to be more accurate and still I have found no help to tell me where this sensor is... how to remove it or even if its at all a good idea??? Please will someone help me before I accidentally kill my baby

[corsaez]

as your stood infront of your car, the temp sensor is on the left hand side. if you remove your grill, you will see it. its a large nut with a plug leading from it about half way down on the side of the radiator. to replace it, simply unplug the sensor plug and then using the correct sized spanner, take it off glently. ive just replaced mine about 10 mins ago, its a 2 min job mate!

[koriuk]

Thanks dude... I am so mechanically inept that I would love to have pictures of the things if you wouldn't mind?

[corsaez]

im computer inept lol, i had to get my brother to put a pic on my profile on here because i didnt know how too. just look where i told u mate, u will see it

[koriuk]

lol ok I will put some pics up on here just so you can tell me if im doing it right? I have never noticed a grill before... I am probably just oblivious haha

[kierandavies1992]

i have the exact same problem! and corsaez is right, its the temp switch.. basically the thing you are looking for is on the left hand side of the radiator (if your standing at the front of the car) underneath the top hose on the radiator. there should be a plug connected in to it, pull the plug out, and it looks like a big screw, that's your temp sensor.

when taking it out be aware that coolant WILL come out so you'll either have to have the new temp sensor ready to put back in, or drain the coolant to just below the switch to save the mess. and the fill the coolant back up with the amount you have taken out. (make sure its the same antifreeze that is in the system, unless your going to completely drain the coolant.)

I still have mine to do so if you haven't done yours by the same i do mine, i will take pictures for you (wont be till next weekend though, so you'l probably have it done before me!)
Also, if it goes to the red at anytime, turn your heating on FULL heat and FULL power! this should keep the temps down but mine only goes to the red in traffic..

[koriuk]

Thanks man! I will have a gander tomorrow but the pics would be amazing nonetheless! By any chance would anyone know how or even IF I can fit a cigarette lighter socket to her? Seems to have come without one...

[koriuk]

for christs sake this thing is taking forever to upload a pic... any way I can send one of you guys an email with a pic ?

[koriuk]

ok so I heard the fan kick in today at a little over 100 on the temp gauge... So its a matter of removing the sensor to keep the fan on permanently>? Also.. I don't know what is the grill and what is the bumper as it looks like one piece :/

[corsaez]

sounds like you have a different grill/bumper to me. mine are two seperate pieces. im not sure you would want your fan on constantly because your engine needs to reach a certain temp to opperate properly. just replace the sensor and drain and replace the coolant, you will find your car runs at a lower temp and that the fan may kick in ealier than 100. mine now kicks in at 93-95.

[koriuk]

ok cool... how would one go about draining the coolant ? lol

[corsaez]

just undo one of the pipes near the bottom of the radiator and let the water/coolant flow out. what i did at the same time was to put a hose pipe into the coolant tank and let that flush out the whole lot. i was suprised by the amount of junk that came out. once your happy that the water flowing through is coming out clean, then tighten the hose back on the radiator and proceed to fill the coolant tank with the proper mix of coolant to the required level. job done!

[koriuk]

Thanks chap! I took the hose off from the top of the radiator by mistake... emptied as much as I thought possible before attempting to reattach with those soul reaping finger bludgeoning fury piqueing clips that require a special tool to easily manage and after 2 hours of grating my flesh on the radiator like some sick pennance for my insolence I resorted to using a jubilee which I have since been told is superior anyway...! Luckily all seems to be well and its going in to the garage to be flushed haha... One last question for you lovely gentlemen... How would I go about fitting a cigarette lighter socket to the car? it seems to have a slot/space/hole for one but indeed lacks the actual socket...