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HG replaced cooling system troubles

1K views 15 replies 6 participants last post by  IanMc 
#1 ·
I had the head gasket replaced by a 'specialist'. I'm having trouble with the heater becoming really warm then running cold again. I've reblead the system abd the system is warm but after a while it turns cool again. Is it possible that my pipes from the PRT are connected the wrong way?
 
#4 ·
Are we allowed to ask who the 'specialist' was/is?
 
#5 ·
It was a Scottish 'specialist'. I went to him because of the weather, lack of garage space and some positive reviews. It went in last Monday and I got it back today with a saga in the middle that I won't repeat. Despite the head gasket change, I have problems with my heating/cooling system. I'm not a very happy bunny and regret very much not having done the job myself and I'm not certain that I haven't created problems that I didn't have before I started. I'm going into hospital over next couple of days and don't have the time or energy to pick a fight.
 
#10 ·
I'm trying to work out why the heater can go from really hot to suddenly cool.

Ian

I've bled from 3 points but he was supposed to do that too. It took a few days of bleeding the last time but I assume garages have vacuum systems that should make life simpler? My fluid isn't but looking too clean either.
 
#7 ·
Have you been bleeding from all THREE points?
 
#9 ·
I have sometimes found that after doing work on the cooling system it can take a few hot to cold cycles to get all the trapped air out of the system...If you just got the car back today then here's hoping it could maybe sort itself out over a couple of days for you.

I also live in Glasgow so if you would like to view the plumbing of the fitted PRRT system in place then that would be no problem if you want to come and have a look.
 
#11 ·
Thanks for that but I'm off to hospital for some tests so it might be the weekend before I can do anything. I'll pm you if I need to come and look. Whereabouts in Glasgow are you? Ian's diagram is also helpful. I'll jack the car up tomorrow and get underneath to check it out.
 
#14 ·
Just a thought. You mentioned unclean coolant after HG work.

On my '05 1.6 TF I had my cambelt + water pump changed last Aug and the coolant was apparently flushed/replaced - but on inspection I noticed it wasn't 'as new'...
I (personally) subsequently changed water pipes and flushed/replaced coolant myself...still not as fresh in the car as it came out of the container.
I (personally) changed my inlet manifold gasket and replaced/reflushed...again coolant was muddy.
Getting frustrated...next day I spent all morning flushing with water, warming up the engine, draining, reflushing at least 7x until the water finally became 'unmuddied' and clear.
I then suspected leak sealer had been added by a previous owner and noticed the bleeding flows had got slightly better but still weren't as good as my previous MGF, esp at the front end.
I (personally) got a new rad ('cos of Rimmers offer) bolted it in added more new pink coolant, bled the system etc. Job done! Coolant in the overflow is now staying pink and fresh...

I wonder if a past owner has blocked your system up with the likes of KSeal or some other leak sealer?

(Some K-series owners seem to think it's a viable alternative to 'proper' HG or img repairs as I eventually found out after loads of frustration, expense and effort...btw I had a receipt to show my HG had been changed in the past but I found out my subsequently failed img was the original. How does that work? I'm smelling a rat here...)
 
#15 ·
Update

The car is due its MOT and I put it into the garage fir a ore check, while there I got them to flush and refill the coolant. There still seemed to be air in the system so I bled both front points after I got home. I took the car for another run and bled the system again later in the evening on Friday. On Saturday I fixed my rear brakes and handbrake and again heated and bled the system. On Sunday I took the car to a meeting I needed to go to and did a couple of hundred miles home and back by going the long way round. Heat, consistently, coming from the vents. No signs of overheating and no coolant loss. My wife took the car out today and came back smiling. It looks like I have a result. Thanks fir everyone that helped out.
 
#16 ·
Good news - well done.
 
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