FAO Super Geniuses

[Rob]

You know who you are... Please help....

Alright... Problem number 100,000,000 I will explain the situation as best as possible to see if one of you guys can help me...

I have a mk2 ph1 1.2 8v and it had a lot of work done about a month or so ago.... this was clutch and head gasket (not fun) so anyways...

When i got the car back it seemed all good, except the temperature gage was not going up to where it normally was... rather than sticking around the second major line on the temp gauge it was sticking around the first major line which i thought was not too much of a problem...

But then the car was not heating up as fast or as much, (which made de misting a pain in the ass) also the car was drinking water (coolant) at quite a quick rate, about every week it was down to minimum.....

Car is going back to where it came tmrw (i know the guy so he'll be cool) but basically i really need your thoughts on what it could be!!! Please somebody!!!

To summarise

After head gasket car is not warming up quick or not getting as hot as it did and loosing coolant very fast.

 

[Rob]

bttt Maybe i need a better title

sorry for bumping so fast, just need some help before it goes in wednesday.

 

[Rob]

Oh forgot to mention...

Thought maybe could be the thermostat staying open?

Or

Maybe something to do with the water pump as this was replaced when the head gasket was done.

Rather stuck though...!!

 

[gav182]

Sounds like the thermostat stuck open causing slow warm up and low temp. Water pump would cause normal heat up when idling but sudden overheating when driving . Also must have a slow leak get your man to pressure test the system .

 

[Rob]

Brilliant thanks.... I am no mechanic but i thought it could be thermostat being stuck open, from what i've heard, but i wasnt sure why this could be making it drain away slowly, two problems, lucky me! :S Cheers though

 

[Rob]

Morning bump, any other ideas people or anyone had the same problem?

 

[MATT BLACK]

Could be alsorts

head warped / cracked
thermostat housing cracked
block cracked
water pump gasket split
heater matrix leaking
water pipe split
radiator

the list goes on - check the water system for air traps - check all water pipes to

Personally i would leave the engine running for 20 minutes till the rad fan kicks in and check the engine / ancileries for signs of leakage

 

[Rob]

Well its just had head gaskett done, so wouldnt think it would be that head cracked i hope :S

Cheers for the advice, but the problem is it doesnt seem to heat up enough full stop to engage the fan, not even after like 30 minutes or so.... which was why i thought maybe thermostat not working properly... :S

 

[Rob]

Evening before i take it in bump...

 

[gav182]

Have you taken the thermostat out and checked if it s stuck open? Also pretty pointless doing anything else until you find where the coolant is going? Did you get head pressure tested / skimmed , new head bolts etc

 

[Rob]

Got a new thermostat coming and the head is coming off monday if there is no visible pipe leaks, took it in this morning and was very helpful, mechanic suspected thermostat could well be stuck open.