Thread: Cooling System Issue

Hi all, well the disco is back up and running and has been going well for the last week or so. Over the last day or so though there has been a really strange overheating issue. I havent cooked it because i have been keeping an eye on the temp gauge everywhere i go. But it starts to climb so i pull over before it gets to the dangerous zone, turn the car off and wait a few mins then i start the car and drive off slowly and the temp comes back down.

On both occasions i have tried turning the heater on and it takes a good few seconds before it starts blowing hot air and it does have a slight odor of coolant, but it hasnt been used for a long time now and the car has been sitting for a while. Then i turn the heater off and for the rest of the trip the temp gauge stays just below half where it normally sits.

I checked the coolant level and it was down a little so i have topped it up when cold and will check it every morning to see if its loosing coolant somewhere. Its not dripping coolant anywhere and i cant smell it as im driving. Is it possible that i mixed the heater hoses up when i put them on? Which outlet in the firewall should go where? Matt

Originally Posted by LandyAndy

Hi Ace
Air from the heater core is possibly getting trapped at the thermostat,the air pocket then prevents the thermostat opening till it gets really hot.
Now you have eliminated the heater core re-bleed the system to see if the problem is sorted.Its good practice to drill a 1/4" hole in the thermostat to prevent air pockets forming.
Goodluck
Andrew

Thanks LA, no worries. I havent driven it yet, gotta go into town tonight for my first night shift work placement so will see what happens. I filled the cooling system up and towed my grandparents caravan home after we used it as accomodation for people on the night of our wedding and the temp gauge didnt move and there were a couple of nice hill climbs. Matt