What can cause Preve engine overheat other than fan relay issue?

I have owned a Preve close to 5 years already. During those times, there were ups and down with this car. However, with all the down moment one issue were bugging me for several times. I experienced four times overheat incidents with this car and it were caused by different issue. For me, I consider this as a very bad quality issues. As a comparison, my wife’s 10 years old Viva only experience 1 time issue with overheat.  

Radiator Fan Motor

It was happened when my family and I was on the way to dinner. There are lots of traffic light on the way there. So after a while stopping at traffic light, the temperature went up rapidly. Suspected something was wrong, I stopped the car and let the engine cool down. I went to check the radiator tank once I thinks it was cool enough. But the water were full. I went to check for radiator fan and found it was working as well. We continue our journey but had to stop shortly after that because the temperature climbed up again. I left the car at the side of the road and took my family to dinner with another car that follow us (we went dinner with two cars).

I took the car home after dinner. The traffic was ok that time. I noticed the temperature climb up when I stop for a while at traffic light and went down when I start moving again. I believe something wrong with the radiator fan. I waited for tomorrow morning to check further.

I went to the workshop next morning, the fan were not running at all. The foreman gave a little knock, then suddenly it rotated. Funny though. Clearly, the fan motor was broke. After discussed with the foreman, I decided to change the motor only with refurbished part. To change the whole set would cost me twice more than the motor. 


Fan relay (famous issue with Preve)

Relay are in red circles

I was on the way to work when the issue happen for the second time. It’s common, the morning traffic are bad. Suddenly the aircond got warm and the temperature indicator was blinking and beeping. Quickly, I parked the car and let the engine cool down. I think the motor was broken again. After the traffic cleared, I drove to workshop and observed the same pattern. When moved, the temperature went down and move up when I slowed down or stop.

Foreman checked the motor by running some testing on it. I do not know what the device was but somehow it measure the current running through the motor. He found out the motor is fine. Then he checked the fuse in the fusebox. After running the same test, apparently the fan relay for the motor were no longer functioning. I have to replace it both of it. But it surprised me that the relay were so expensive.

Radiator tank (I was right this time)

Third time was the worst one. The temperature indicator started to blink just after about half an hour drive. The same day in the afternoon, I sent it to workshop for regular service. I popped up the hood, and this time the fan rotating as usual but the water splashing out all over the engine. I was lucky that hot water was not splashing onto my face. It was late at night that time and a bit far from home. So I just left the car by the road side and took the GrabCar. 

This was happen in a fasting month and that day was very hot and sunny. I went back to the car and checked the radiator tank. Empty. I poured the water in but it came out from the bottom. I called the insurance company for a tow truck. It took them about 2 hours to reach. I was drenched in sweat and so thirsty waiting for them. After some checking, the foreman found out that the radiator were punctured. Water was gushing out fast when they poured the water in. 

I have no choice but to replace the whole radiator. It impossible to patch it.

The latest one happen during my way to work also. Suddenly without any warning, the temperature soared and my engine started jerking. I was driving on the highway when it happen. Immediately I stopped my car. It was somehow were at the middle of the road because there are no emergency lane. I have no choice except turned on the hazard light and move my car as best as possible to the side of the highway railing. I was so worried thinking the possibility of any car can hit me that day. After a while, I am able to drive a bit further and found a proper place to park. The rest will be the same story. I waited for a tow truck and towed me back to workshop. I don’t want to go deep on my experience with this tow truck. But what I can say it was horrible. After checking, the foreman found out the clip that connecting the host to the radiator tank was loose. That was the cause of radiator tank went empty. It cost me RM 20 to change the clip. But the hassle that I went through were tiring.

I hope that this will be the last time I face the issue with overheat. I totally cannot take it anymore. Even though it doesn’t cause major damaged, but the problem that I have to go through are troublesome. I’m not sure with other car, but Preve have a mechanism to shut off the engine if it is become too hot. So I suggest if you noticed that the car temperature goes high, it is better to find a place and stop immediately before it cause major damage to your engine.