Post
by Scott560 » Sat Jan 04, 2014 11:37 am
normally, on older cars, the small heater matrix just gets clogged up with silt, this is my experience with 'tracking down heater problems' when things have been disturbed.
When the coolant is drained, by virtue of its position and hose routes, the heater matrix generally tends to get left with all the crap and silt in it.
I've never had an airlock that couldn't be removed (in various scenarios on lots of cars) by running with the cap off or squeezing hoses, few heat up cool down cycles etc (you might say i dont believe in airlocks!).
my knowledge of 4th gen is slim, but i would check (with a hose pipe) that the valve works as it should, and then flush (in both directions) the heater matrix. Not the most pleasent of jobs, youll get water all over yourselv and engine unless you have an assistant on the taps!
I've seen cars where new coolant is added, goes in and comes out all clean, flush the heater matrix, and tons of rust coloured crap comes out.
Also, if you bought your thermostat of ebay, can't hurt trying another one, as some times thermostats ive purchased have been 'lazy' out of the box, and dont keep the car at the right hot temperature (eg over cool, get stuck open a little).
'00 UKDM 2.2VTI H22a8
'21 'e' Advance