Thermostat

[Garry]

Hey guys,

I've been having a few problems regarding heating. Firstly, the gauge takes quite a while to work its way up to the mid-point. As soon as I hit slow moving traffic it quickly creeps up and up, however, if I turn the engine off then straight back on again it works its way up to the mid-point.

Also we get no heat at all from the vents even when the reading is coming through at max.

Does this sound like a thermostat problem? If so... Easy/cheap fix?

Cheers guys,

Gaz

 

[Sven]

Gaz - to what point does the needle rise when driving constantly (no stopping)?
Dos the temp fall the second you start driving after standing?
To change the thermostat is easy, but its not cheap - cca. around 40 pounds.

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[Garry]

Hey Sven,

How's things?

When driving normally it rests on the mid point, or close to at least.

Cheers!

Gaz

 

[Sven]

Hi mate, am ok regarding all ...
So basicly what you are saying is the temp dial needle sits half way no matter how you drive, but you get no warm air from the wents?

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[Garry]

Sorry I didn't word it very well, as soon as I hit slow moving traffic it goes almost to the red, but turning the engine off and on again sets it back to the middle. Normal driving it sits in the mid-point, but it does take quite a while to get there. And never any hot air throughout, and it's getting cold outside, argh!

Cheers,

Gaz

 

[Sven]

Sounds like the thermostat ... but cant be sure .... could be that your temp sensor is playing up and that your temp button (ring) aint opening the flap for the hot air so its always off.

Does the heat dial rotate easy or you you feel resistance on it - when you turn the dial fast, do you hear the flap hitting its end ?

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[Anonymous]

Re the flaps. Regardless of flap position you should always have some warm air to the windsreen.

 

[Sven]

Re the flaps. Regardless of flap position you should always have some warm air to the windsreen.

Not true, when the flap is closed its closed. You either get cold or warm air - only if its stuck in between you get a mixture. That is the way you pick the temp that is coming out of the vents, on the aircon with climate control that is done via motor that opens and closes the flap in correlation with the temp that measures the in car sensor.

The direction of blowing air is made with adjusting the small black flaps on the picture and the ventilation motor is number 4. The heater matrix is number 5.
The flap is shown with blue arrow.

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[Garry]

I can hear the flap as I turn the dial, yep. Still no heat and it's getting colder!

 

[Tom]

Bleed the air out of your cooling system then work out how it got in there in the first place.

 

[DD85]

Yo Garry, add me on MSN... I never got your updated address since shesaidim... msn@tom... You know the rest.

Good luck getting the Bravo sorted.

 

[Garry]

Sven, I noticed in some past threads you had some diagrams for bleeding the system, but they've been moved. I don't suppose you still have them around anywhere?

Cheers bud

 

[Sven]

Will upload them during the day or tomorrow morning when I get the time.

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[Sven]

Here you are, a bit different, but you should get all.
First open the plug number 5 till water comes out, then close it, then open the plug 6 close when water starts to come out, then the same with number 7. After that if you have a expansion tank (filling right of the radiator, not on it like on the picture), open it and rev the engine to cca 4000 rpm in intervals till the heater fan comes on. Easy, rev, let it idle, rev, let it idle and so on.
The coolant must always be above MIN mark. After the heater fan kicks in, close the lid and your done.
If you have the version like on the pic with the inlet opening on the radiator, fill it to the MAX mark and do the same with the reving but with the lid closed till the fan kicks in.
The MIN mark must not be exceeded - turn the engine off and fill more in.
CAREFUL - OPENING CAN CAUSE WATER TO RUSH OUT AND ITS BOILING HOT. Open slowly with a rag over the cap.

The first plug is under the plastic intake canal that sits above the radiator. There can be 2 plugs on the radiator, so then you do the same procedure from left to right with them. If any of the plugs is missing, its OK, just open the ones that are there.

If you need more info - ask.

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[Garry]

Cheers Sven, exactly what I needed. When following the first steps should the engine be on or off?

Garry

 

[Garry]

And at what engine temp should it be when done? Cold or hot?

 

[Sven]

When opening the plugs engine off and cold.
When that procedure is done, start the engine end rev it with the cap open (compensation tank).
The procedure is done when the radiator fan kicks in and stops, the engine temp should be in the middle (arrow on the middle mark or 1-3 mm above it).
Turn engine off and your done.

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[Garry]

I followed your instructions (plus I had to give it a blow) and we have warm air! Hopefully it'll last.

Thanks very much

 

[andy]

similar problem

hi, im having a similar problem followed your instructions managed to get water out of valve 6 but only a tiny dribble which then stopped out of valve 5, when trying to get the fan to operate got the temp guage to just over half way but the fan never kicked in : ( so im stumped.

its freezing here at he moment so not sure if that could be adding to it, prob about 4 degrees c.

things im thinking may be the problem the thermostat not activating the fan (and maybe pump not sure if they are both linked to the thermostat. or a possible blockage in the rad.

but as i say im stumped any help would be appreciated.

 

[Sven]

@Andy - freezing at 4degC LOL its -9 here

First of all what engine do you have ?
Second:
1. Open the cap on for filling the coolant and let it open
2. open valve per valve in order from the radiator to the valve number 6. Coolant must start to come out, if not check the level of the coolant and top it up a bit - you have an airlock.
There is one more valve on some models on the right side of the radiator top side - check that also.
3. top the coolant to max mark
4. start the car - no 100% need of the fan going on, when the lover hose to the radiator becomes hot - the thermostat is open and its OK to check the level and close the reservoir.

The thermostat dont operate the fan - the temp sensor sends signals so it comes on.
A faulty thermostat is diagnosed with overheating or not heating up - so I assume yours is OK if it sits half way when you drive. If the pump where shot - trust me you would know (overheating, cam belt failure)

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