Carina E Overheating Help!

[Chris84]

Hello, i'm having trouble with my 94 carina E XLI 1.6

Its overheating after a few miles of driving

Symtoms:

Temperature guage right at the top,

Radiator cold, top coolant pipe hot, bottom pipe cold, (disconnected both pipes and poured water into the cap, no blockages)

Heater blowing cold

Ive checked the thermostat by putting it into a pan of boiling water, it popped open.

Steam comes from the overflow pipe (at the coolant tank)

No white sludge in the oil cap or radiator cap

I have no idea if the water pump is working and dont know how to check.

I hope someone can help, its at 198,000 miles and i really want to get it to 200,000

Thanks

[petroleum]

If its very old perhaps your water pump impellers are worn out make sure you put the thermostat back with the little toggle at the top and top it up again and make sure you dont have an air lock

[Chris84]

Hi, thanks for your reply.

Do you know the best way to get rid of an air lock? I've never done it before. I'll try that before spending any money.

[petroleum]

If you are sure you have no water leaks then have the right amount of antifreeze ready around 28 to 30 % and commence to slowly fill the rad until the level reaches the filler neck While filling compress the radiator hoses to get rid of any air in the system then fill the expansion tank to the max level

With the rad cap still removed start the engine and allow to idle until you can feel heat reaching the top hose then blip the engine several times then turn the engine off and allow the engine to cool for up to an hour then go back to it and top the rad up place, the cap back and then top the expansion tank to its max level

Start the engine again and run it to 3000 revs for half a minute and remove the cap again but not right away wait a few mins then top it up again if it needs be, then refit the cap

Remember to start all this when the engine is cold

[Chris84]

Hi, thanks for your help, i did what you said and made some improvement but still got issues. I also replaced the thermostat.

I'll try and list all the symptoms

From cold, top pipe heats up

Radiator heats up (fan working)

Bottom pipe takes a while to heat but eventually does

Pipes that go to the heaters are warm, but no hot air is coming out???

Car no longer overheating (after a 30 min drive). Used to take 5 mins to be steaming

No sludge in oil or radiator cap.

I've not given up on the old girl yet.

Chris

[petroleum]

So some improvement!!? whAT yer might have here is a partially blocked heater matrix

Failing that if the heater is not working it could be the flap linkage cable from your heater control knob not working right i dont think you will find modern cars with an actual water turn off valve lke in the old cars, the heat is turned down by a big flap that contains the heater matrix which cuts it off when you operate your cable controls Have you tried some rad flush from Halfords to see if that clears your heater matrix?

[Chris84]

It's game over, checked the oil cap again today and there is white sludge.

[Chris84]

Hi

Just thought i'd let you know that i've replaced the head gasket and its running better than ever. The old gasket was destroyed. Never changed one before so i'm quite pleased with myself.

Thanks for all the help

Chris