Over heating and No hot air.

[jamamason]

I purchased a 1.1 97 saxo 2 weeks ago, after driving it for a week the coolant light started flicking on and off after about 5 miles of my daily 7 mile drive. The fan kicks in for around 2 mins when I turn the engine off. I have also lost all hot air from the car heater. After reading articles on this site I have replaced the thermostat and bleed the system last night. As advised I opened the 3 bleed points in turn until a constant flow of water came out of each one. I then checked the heater and it was working, I took this as problem solved. I got back in my car this morning and same problems have happened again. Any advise please!?!?!?!

[djadzvtr]

I purchased a 1.1 97 saxo 2 weeks ago, after driving it for a week the coolant light started flicking on and off after about 5 miles of my daily 7 mile drive. The fan kicks in for around 2 mins when I turn the engine off. I have also lost all hot air from the car heater. After reading articles on this site I have replaced the thermostat and bleed the system last night. As advised I opened the 3 bleed points in turn until a constant flow of water came out of each one. I then checked the heater and it was working, I took this as problem solved. I got back in my car this morning and same problems have happened again. Any advise please!?!?!?!

you will need to bleed it up again mate,also you need to do them in the right order and check for splits in pipes etc!!:y:

are you using a proper header tank????

[jamamason]

no i used a milk carton, will it make a big difference with a proper header tank? i've checked for splits, none that i can see, can you confirm the order. is it botton right by rad, middle by thermo and then top left by driver window?

[SaxoIOW]

my mates car had this exact same problem and his headgasket needed replacing. Is there lots of smoke coming from the exhaust?

[jamamason]

no everything seems fine, I thought about the head gasket but theres no water in the oil by the looks of it so i'm non the wiser!

[Gfunk420]

Bleed it really well I removed thermo and problems stopped..

[jamamason]

bled last night and got to work today with no light and loverly hot air all the way! touch wood it stays that way!!!! Thanks Guys:bump:

[jamamason]

Argh back to same problems again, i have had to bleed the system twice since friday, losing a lot of water and gaining a lot of air, cant see a split anywhere and still no water in oil?!?!

[VTS123]

Definately sounds like the head gasket I'm afraid. Coolant in the oil isn't the only symptom. When they go in TU engines this is what tends to happen.

[jamamason]

is it ok to still drive as long as i keep topping up coolant untill i can get it to a garage, it runs fine when i top up. I'm guessing a head gasket replacement is on the pricey side?:wacko:

[VTS123]

As long as you can be completely sure it is not going to overheat it will be fine.

If you know a bit about cars or know someone who can guide you I would have a go it fixing it myself. Otherwise you are looking at about £250-300

[Slugshead]

I thought my HG wasnt gone and kept telling myself that it wasnt... I had the same problem you do...

Water was getting out at the back of the engine under the inlet mani... so I couldnt see where the water was leaking from!

Check the cap on the expansion tank aswell...

If you can't find any leaks in the pipes and the bleed nipples are done up properly... go get her pressure tested (then do the HG yourself if worst case scenario)

[jamamason]

thanks guys, gutted i've only had it a few weeks, someone saw me coming good and proper!

[Slugshead]

Yeah exactly what happend to me, ah well!

what do you think socket sets and weekends are made for ;)

[jamamason]

Just taken it to the garage and they have said head gasket is fine and cannot find any leaks, now im confused! even the pro's dont know whats wrong.