General marea matrix problem

[markieb]

hi all im new here I only bought my marea 3 weeks ago and it was driving fine except for no hot air.so on closer examination i noticed the matrix is by passed all together from engine bay.the tube going to the matrix is cut off and redirected back into engine.not thinking things through first i redirected the tubes the way i thought they should be.next day the wife tells me the car over heared and steam was coming from vents and bad smell.realising then that the matrix was bypassed for a reason i reverted it back to the original bypass position refilled the system and ran the engine on reaching 3/4 way on temp gauge fan failed to come on and needle went into the red released bottom hose and drained system large fuse in engine bay for fan was blown replaced that refilled system and still fan wont come on still needle going into red.tested the fan by bridging the connector on rad and fan worked tried running engine with fan bridged but it still went into the red.the top and bottom hoses are getting hot but the one that by passes the matrix is cold.any ideas please im really in the dog house over this as the car was driving perfect except for hot air not working untill i went near it.please some one help me im running out of ideas is tthere a fuse or a sensor that could need replacing any help very much appreciated thanks

 

[Venters]

Thermostat?
I had the same thing with the fan and over heating on the 126 recently and it was a stuck closed thermostat.

 

[markieb]

thanks thats what i was thinking i went round a few scrap yards today looking for one to no avail i will buy a new one tomorrow thanks for the help il keep yous posted about results