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[Lakes44]

Hey guys,

I've got an unusual issue that has just started on the brab. Under acceleration in low gear (1st or 2nd) the car slows and flashes a message saying ' Engine Coolant Temperature - Turn Off Engine' then runs as normal. This has happened three times since Friday. The last time it happened it didn't flash up any message but just died. The car slowed down gradually but was showing the revs I was trying to apply. This is not good on a busy A road!

I've been loving the Brab since I've bought it but not sure what this may be.

Any ideas?

Lakes44 

[gregk2]

Obvious question, have you checked the coolant level?

[Lakes44]

Yep, when I checked the level it looked a little high, not sure if this would cause the issue? It's only covered 400 miles since it's last service in October. The coolant appears clear and viscous (which is not what I was expecting). When it flashes the error the coolant temp pod shows 90, no movement either up or down.

[gregk2]

Did you check it when car was cooled down? Could be a temp sensor issue, probably best to get it checked on a STAR machine.

[Lakes44]

Yes, engine had been left to cool overnight before I checked the level again. Are Star machines at Merc dealerships or just Smart specific? (silly question I know lol)

[gregk2]

Also, i would not expect the coolant to be thick or gooey, it sounds like the car has been sat not driven for a long period of time? 400 miles since Oct? It might need changing.

Edit: There are people far more knowledgeable than myself that will give you a more experienced view on this. I would say though, get it looked at asap. You don't want to overheat or you could do big damage to the engine.

[Lakes44]

Thanks for that mate 

[Alex]

Can a car water pump proppeler produce cavitation? Like a really nasty one, corroded, pitted...

Why clear and viscous cooling liquid? What type would that be?

Can you replicate the results while standing still? Rev it hard, maybe a wire is loose and if the engine mounts are worn, the engine twists and pulls it out a bit, breaking contact.

Or park on an incline, or jack the nose up, so the car squats as if under heavy acceleration?

Turn the temp all the way up (past 27C), you will feel a click. Then turn the fan on any speed, is the air very very hot? If not, you may have air in the system...

But still, clear viscous coolant?

[Problemchild]

how quickly does the car get up to temp?

have you checked the battery leads? and engine earth leads?

my main thought would be the sensor and a bad connection.

JJ

[CrazyG]

My main thought would be as Alex and Greg2k have already
said...coolant clear but viscous ? !
It should be blue coloured...not clear.
Viscous ? Who did the service, and are you 100% sure they didn't put
brake fluid in the water reservoir      Who did the service ?

I'd be inclined to drain the lot out, and then refill with fresh new clean
pre-mixed coolant, then take any other checks from that 'base' point.

[mozilla]

The water pump would struggle with a viscous fluid. Confirm if it is really viscous and check for milkiness under the filler cap or on the dipstick in case oil and coolant have mixed

[djames108]

Can't remember off the top of my head but you may be able to use a normal obd scanner connected to phone/tablet/pc in real time data mode to see real time temperatures. If it reads all over the place it could be the sensor.

This is of course assuming they give coolant temp i can't remember.

[FireFlower]

Chinese bluetooth dongle was able to tell me that my coolant temperature was 70C

[Brabs]

Agree 100% with G. For the relatively small outlay drain the existing liquid (whatever that may be!) and flush the system. Then refill with good quality premix coolant. Run the car for a while and then re check. Not worth risking the engine otherwise! IMHO.

[Lakes44]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all the advice and suggestions. I worked through the connections, all fine. The coolant was fine, just hard to see the colour on the measure stick! 
Took it to MB garage, after some diagnostics came back as spark plugs!!  All good after a new set put in. Happy days.

Hope everyone has a great bank holiday weekend 

Lakes44