Ryanedgeworth89
Member
Should hope so as that was new this time last year.
Technical Heater matrix
- Thread starter Ryanedgeworth89
- Start date
- Replies 90
- Views 3K
Currently reading:
Technical
Heater matrix
Yes I read that before but sometimes things go wrong sooner than expected.
Have you checked the thermostat is opening as engine warms up, after making sure no air in system I often put hand on the hoses and as engine warms up I can feel the temp of the hoses change as the thermostat opens.
If that is working then you either have a seriously blocked main radiator or a head gasket issue I would have thought.
If that is working then you either have a seriously blocked main radiator or a head gasket issue I would have thought.
Hi,
How are you getting on with your repairs?
If sniff test is carried out and shows exhaust gasses bubbling in expansion tank it doesnt necessarily mean headgasket problem , cause can be egr cooler fault passing exhaust into coolant.
J
Ryanedgeworth89
Member
Van got towed to garage on monday. And had no update from them before they closed on friday. Will ring tomorrow not great working out of a car when your a builder and trying to get a job finished before christmas.
Ryanedgeworth89
Member
Thanks
Ryanedgeworth89
Member
Garage have finally managed to have a look. Sniff test is coming back good he just cant find out yet why its over pressuring.
Leak off test is more conclusive and pin points an individual cylinder unlike the sniff test. Just takes longer for them to do it properly, whereas a sniff test just involves a few minutes with the tool stuffed in the expansion /coolant tank top.
That is very strange. I cant think why it would overpressurise .....other than egr cooler leak or head gasket leak both of which should show on sniff test.
Look forward to finding out from you.
Best wishes
J
Look forward to finding out from you.
Best wishes
J
Last edited:
Slight head gasket seepage can do that and would show using Leak test if done correctly.
I have done it and on that faulty cylinder with rad cap/expansion cap off and filled to brim with coolant have seen water gradually start to overflow even with only a small fault that doesn't show up any other way.
Last edited:
Check the filler cap. The one with pressure release valve. That valve can get 'glued', stucked close result being system over pressured.
Worth checking, I had a Mk1 VW Golf where the cap had stuck and it blew the side out of the radiator as warming engine up following a rebuild.
Ryanedgeworth89
Member
Little update. Van is back from garage they said it was the filler cap. Now tackling the job of full dash removal to replace heater matrix. Have started putting dash back together now. But have a spare bolt with rubber washer on it. Cant find where it goes. Has anyone got a pdf or point me in the direct of where i can find images for the dash removal to see where it goes. Have looked online but dont seem to find any.
Ryanedgeworth89
Member
Heater matrix replaced and have heat not as hot as i remember it being. Have also replaced expansion tank before starting it up again. Today whilest driving heat disappeard (blowing cold air whilest set to hit temp) then come back after awhile. Got home and coolant has come out of expansion tank via cap as coolant was all over tank. Any ideas what has caused this? Could i still have a block in system or could it be worse. Temp gauage still has never gone above middle.
First thoroughly check there is no air in the system and around in those heater pipes, then if that is not the answer as @jackwhoo says exhaust/combustion gases is a likely cause, as in head gasket.
If temp doesn't get high then thermostat is either missing or stuck open.
So I would then do a leak test to check if head gasket etc. is the cause.
Ryanedgeworth89
Member
Have opened bleed valve when started van till coolant come out. Both pipes in/out of matrix have got hot which they never done before changing matrix. Temp goes up to middle then stays there and fan on passenger side cuts in and out as it should aswell. Have done 600miles since matrix been replaced aswell. Will buy sniff test kit then and check that but garage had told me they done it and all was fine.
Sounds like you have done all the right things/.
I first used a sniffer test in the late 70s, I think it was a company near us that first developed it. Seeing the crystals change colour was a nice conclusive test at the time.
Even without that I have been able to test on some cars, by holding the engine revs to around 2000rpm on a warm engine with the rad cap off, then let it idle and have seen bubbles come up to the top and on sniffing them smelt combustion gas. Obviously care has to be taken as some cars with gasket issues can shoot hot water up!!!
Personally I prefer the Leak test using compressed air, it takes a lot longer to do and even longer still on a diesel engine, but it can show conclusively even in a very small leak and exactly which cylinder of the engine it is on.
The sniffer test is quick but doesn't always show a small leak.
