Brrrrrrrr.... It's cold in here!

[upstream]

ok - I decided to check the Bowden cable. I started by taking off the glovebox but then realised that on my car, the cable and where it connects to is on the driver's side so then took that side off too. I adjusted the cable and took the car for a spin. Unfortunately it made almost no difference. The cable probably did need some adjustment but I think that the required adjustment was so minor that had things been working correctly in terms of heat, then it probably would have gone unnoticed.

Whilst I had the glovebox off I thought that it probably wouldn't hurt to check the heater matrix pipes as they were in full view. With the car warmed up, the inlet pipe is so hot that I can hold my fingers onto it for less than a second before I have to move them away. With the outlet pipe however I could easily hold onto it indefinately as it is only slightly warm.

Certainly seems conclusive now I think.

 

[Zeti]

Now, it's only one option: matrix clogged somewhere!
The flow is so poor that antifreeze cools instantly in the matrix.

 

[t-tony]

Got to try cooling system flush next.

Tony.

 

[oldcarman]

Now, it's only one option: matrix clogged somewhere!
The flow is so poor that antifreeze cools instantly in the matrix.

This should have shown up just by checking the hoses and didn't they flush that matrix previously?? That's one major clog, likely caused by not flushing long enough from both directions previously. Just loosened the crud enough to pack it together! JIM

 

[upstream]

This should have shown up just by checking the hoses and didn't they flush that matrix previously?? That's one major clog, likely caused by not flushing long enough from both directions previously. Just loosened the crud enough to pack it together! JIM

The mechanic that changed the thermostat said that he had flushed it but who knows :-(

 

[oldcarman]

The mechanic that changed the thermostat said that he had flushed it but who knows :-(

That's the same guy that wouldn't change your waterpump? So probably didn't or ran the hose only one direction and for a very short time. Good luck with the flush this time, soon you'll be turning the temp down I think! JIM

 

[upstream]

Bumped into the mechanic that changed the waterpump. He asked me how things were going. I told him and he said that he'd be happy to do a flush of the matrix for me but that he wouldn't recommend using any flushing agents because if there are any weaknesses within the cooling system, they can tip it over the edge. He said he'd use a hose but wouldn't recommend chemicals.

 

[t-tony]

IF, a flush causes a leak it was only ready to happen anyway. I think what he is saying is he will use it at your risk. Fair enough, you've got nothing to lose if you want to find a cure. Personally I can state that never have I had any problem using a flushing agent as directed.

Tony.

ps. From what you tell us I get the feeling this guy,however nice he might be, isn't very confident in his own skills. I work with someone like this.

 

[upstream]

Well - I spoke with that mechanic again. He's happy to flush it with water but nothing else. As the original mechanic said he had flushed it with a hose I just can't justify paying and having it flushed with water again. The sun was out today so I went out for a quick drive. It was nice to be back behind the wheel after some time but no heat made it no fun at all to be honest.

I think I've reached a point of no return now. Without a chemical flush which may or may not work the only other option then is to get a replacement heater matrix and have it fitted.

I'm going to cut my losses and move on.

 

[hard top]

@upstream Don't know where you are based but you could have a word with @Lee

 

[oldcarman]

Well - I spoke with that mechanic again. He's happy to flush it with water but nothing else. As the original mechanic said he had flushed it with a hose I just can't justify paying and having it flushed with water again. The sun was out today so I went out for a quick drive. It was nice to be back behind the wheel after some time but no heat made it no fun at all to be honest.

I think I've reached a point of no return now. Without a chemical flush which may or may not work the only other option then is to get a replacement heater matrix and have it fitted.

I'm going to cut my losses and move on.

What you need is a competent mechanic who takes care of you. Follow HT's advise and contact Lee.

 

[FRANKIE]

Well - I spoke with that mechanic again. He's happy to flush it with water but nothing else. As the original mechanic said he had flushed it with a hose I just can't justify paying and having it flushed with water again. The sun was out today so I went out for a quick drive. It was nice to be back behind the wheel after some time but no heat made it no fun at all to be honest.

I think I've reached a point of no return now. Without a chemical flush which may or may not work the only other option then is to get a replacement heater matrix and have it fitted.

I'm going to cut my losses and move on.

I had mentioned this before on the forum that I once had a ford that had a bad heater core (matrix). It leaked into the passenger compartment. I picked one up for $30 at the dealership. I know that it involved a lot of work to replace it because I had air cond. in the car but i asked the service department to give me a price on putting it in. They told me $1100. At first I thought they were joking. So I did it myself. It took me 3 weeks after work and weekends. To get to it, I had to take the entire dashboard apart. The car looked like it was on the assembly line at the factory on the first day of assembly there was so much missing that I had to take off. I took a picture. When I find it, I'll post it. After I finished it, and then had first hand knowledge of how it was located and situated, I realized I could have gone in from the other side of the firewall in the engine compartment, cut the metal of the firewall with a dremel, cut the plastic housing the heater core was sitting in, and pull the old one out and throw the new one in. Then seal everything up. As this car was just a "junker" with not much value, it was THE move to do. Live and learn. Frankie.

 

[Dobiwallah]

How has this ended? Did you fixed the problem or did you sell the Zed?

 

[FRANKIE]

How has this ended? Did you fixed the problem or did you sell the Zed?

Seems like a lot of people fix their car problems by selling their cars........................We've all bought some problems, I mean cars, like that at sometime. Frankie

 

[Shelly]

Your Z is a beautiful colour @Dobiwallah
The roof goes perfect with it as well

 

[Mint]

How has this ended? Did you fixed the problem or did you sell the Zed?

@Dobiwallah, I don't think you'll get an answer to this as the OP hasn't been on the forum since the 10th Feb 2015...

In fact his last sentence was 'I'm going to cut my losses and move on.'

 

[Dobiwallah]

Your Z is a beautiful colour @Dobiwallah
The roof goes perfect with it as well

Thanks, I like it also a lot

@Dobiwallah, I don't think you'll get an answer to this as the OP hasn't been on the forum since the 10th Feb 2015...

In fact his last sentence was 'I'm going to cut my losses and move on.'

Ah yeah, English is not my native language, I thought it also could mean I take the losses of buying a new heater matrix