Broken down jimny

Hi guys,

This is my first post here and I am in need of help.
My other half has a 1999 jimny and last night on the motorway it started loosing power
And eventually cut out. She pulled over and said there was smoke or steam coming from under the bonnet. She got the AA out who couldn't do anything. She said the guy tried to start it and it was turning over but nothing else. She got recovered home and I had a look and there was what looked like coolant on the underside of the bonnet and on some of the plastic next to the radiator and the radiator seemed empty although the coolant reservoir was still between the full and empty marks. I didn't get a chance to have a proper look because it was dark but it didn't look like there was any mayo under the oil cap. I couldn't start the car either because she had flattened the battery waiting on recovery.

I would appreciate any ideas or suggestions you guys have.

Apologies for the essay and I hope it makes sense because I'm on my phone just now.

Thanks in advance.

Chris

If there was steam it sounds like something has given out. Fill the radiator up with water and see if it starts pouring out anywhere. The cooling system on the Jimny does seem to be a bit of a weak point and its not unknown for headgaskets to go I'm afraid. (although its not "common"). Could also be the water pump that has given up the ghost, not sure what belt it drives off but if it failed in a big way it could have thrown the alternator and or cam belt. Have agood check in that general area for loose belts..

Did she notice if the temp was getting high before it stopped?

find the pipe coming off the water pump and pull it off if nothing or just a dribble its highly likely its the water pump. if not that then i would top it up take it for a drive and see if it gets really hot. See if the fan kicks in another cause it could get warm. look for leaks around the radiator.

just a few ideas that may help

Thanks for the reply.

She didn't notice much apart from loosing power and the steam but I don't think she would notice if the temp was up. I'm going to have a good scout around tonight and hopefully it's something straight forward. The belts looked ok but I'll check the cam belt too.

Thanks again

Change the head gasket and get the head skimmed flat.
If it was driven until it lost power the head gasket is gone now.
While the head is off check the bores for marks but they should be ok with a simple heat sezure.

Thanks for all the advice. I had a good check over the car and couldn't see anything obviously leaking. We charged the battery and turned the car over but it wouldn't fire just turned over with a squeek so i think its properly broken.