Thread: Sloshing heater core... grrr

Bypass your heater first. Dont just block it, link the two hoses together. The heater cores are a common problem.

Pull back the carpet in the passenger footwell and check for dampness.

If you have a dud head gasket, the radiator hoses will be rock hard after a short time.

The hissing is generally just the expansion cap letting out excess pressure which can be caused either by coolant heating up very quickly due to air locks and not circulating properly or by a dud gasket.

There are 2 different head specs for the 300Tdi. The earlier head uses a composite head gasket and the later uses a steel shim.
The later spec can be used on the early BUT NOT THE OTHER WAY ROUND as the later steel shim and head have an extra gallery opening for cooling that the composite does not have.
The composite gasket will deteriorate over time regardless and generally these burn thru the fire ring and across into a water gallery.

If you are using the composite gasket, I suggest that you change to the steel shim type.

Dont forget to check the piston protrusion to make sure you get the right thickness head gasket, most important.

Cheers

Andrew.

Originally Posted by LOVEMYRANGIE

I had the same thing in my Classic a couple of years ago. Was doing my head in!

It wouldnt leak coolant out, but was letting air in and pushing coolant up the expansion bottle until it would overflow.

Turned out it was a hose that wouldnt leak under pressure but WOULD suck air in as the engine cooled and vacuum was formed in the system. The most common point for it to collect was in the heater.

Unfortunately the hose that was leaking was on the heater and I really wasnt in a mental position to bother so I just disconnected the heater.....

Might have to get to it one day..... Its cold... so very cold........

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

cheers