coolant problem

[robobobo]

Hi There
Regarding my van syncro, 2.1 dj
Im trying to diagnose some coolant issues with my van. After a burst coolant hose the other day on the motorway I fixed up temporarily and continued home with van running fine at normal temp( actually norml for my van is about 1/5 of the gauge). Hence on returning home I thought i'd put in a new thermostat to run a bit more normal temperature, and bled as per the baxter method.

Temp is now rising high with heater fans on and Hot, Radiator fan not kicking in and seemingly no coolant flow to the radiator(explains radiator fan). When i open the bleed on the rad cold coolant comes out but not under pressure. Temp is above and beyond normal. The pipes under the van are both cool although one is very getting slightly warm,(tepid). This applies even after a good run to see if that pushed the coolant round.

The pipe from the top of thermostat is getting hot (not nearly as hot as pre thermostat though). Does this sound open and coolant not flowing round system due to pump or closed and the heat in the pipe is just that which has been conducted through the closed thermostat. I was thinking this could have been from the ambient temperature though of the connecting parts in the engine bay.

I was wondering how to limit the options, good sense points toward the new thermostat as that is what has changed but when the pipe burst i guess there could have been damage caused elsewhere. To the pump or the engine due to the high temp. How do i check if the pump is working and also the thermostat or the coolant flow.

All the other sensors were changed last year and the rad fan was certainly kicking in before the burst pipe. I guess if there should still be flow of coolant even if the pump is dodgy then i would be able to pinpoint the Thermostat. Im struggling to find the logical way of testing where the problem lies and would appreciate the advice or experience of other WBXers. I'd like to narrow it down as iv'e been messing around with it for 2 days now without any joy and would love to get it mobile again asap.

cheers
Robin

[lloydy]

Are you 100% it's bled properly? I've had the same symptoms, was an air lock. Cured by having the wife floor the throttle while I stood by coolant tank. You should see the level drop, if so remove cap and top up. Cured my issue

[robobobo]

Hi Lloydy
I don't think i can be 100% but if the thermostat was not opening is it possible to fully bleed the engine side of the system. I was revving it right up but doing it alone so kept topping up afterwards. Im pretty sure that the radiator is now full as water is pushed out although very slowly and the bleed screw above the thermostat chucks water out, this is hot when the engine has been at temperature for awhile. Although I thought this could be heat transfer from the thermostat.

I have been revving the throttle in the engine bay whilst filling the header tank but only between 2000 & 3500 revs ish. No more bubbles were coming out or level was not dropping any more. Hoped to drive it up north for christmas but it may have to be laid up and looked at in the new year.

[dbz864]

hi,fit your old stat and try again.Sounds like stat is a goner

[lloydy]

Is it possible to put the stat in upside down on a petrol?

[robobobo]

Im nearly sure i didn't put it in upside down. I'll try the old stat first to narrow things down, are the new ones really that unreliable. The first one i got from GSF was a joke and didn't even match the size. This one from europarts looked the same so i was a bit more hopeful. Just hoping i didn't throw the old one in the bin......eeek

[chuggers72]

I'm by no means an expert but have had a bot of grief with the cooling in my van. Def sounds like the themostat - could be knackered (was it from GSF by chance? cos I had a duffer from there) or perhaps (only saying this from experience ) - its upside down! (there you go I've admitted it now!). If theres no water getting to the front end you wont be able to bleed it. Hope you sort it.

[chuggers72]

Beat me to it!!!

[robobobo]

Im prepared to hold my hands up, i was in a rush with the daylight so i'll defo check the thermostat first off.

So it is possible to put it the wrong way up ?

cheers

[what2do]

GSF, seen this mentioned lots. Clearly a parts supplier but would someone mind telling who they are? Cheers.

[robobobo]

German/Swedish/French nationwide autoparts centre often used as a last resort as there are lots of branches and open weekends. To be fair some stuff is ok but they do stock some total xxxx too

[robobobo]

Ahem, well the cooling system works spot on now. Gauge in the middle, slow fan kicks in briefly at standstill. Heaters work a treat.

Lesson learnt, don't rush putting the thermostat in the way up that it seems to fit best. The wrong way up

[lloydy]

Is it possible to put the stat in upside down on a petrol?

good to hear its working

[California Dreamin]

And GSF are NOT a bad supplier...you just need to be aware of what to look for before passing over your money.
Check out the quality parts list of manufacturers.


Martin

[what2do]

Would it be a fair assumption to think that Europarts are superior to GSF or not? It's just that there appears to be LOTS of less than complimentary comments about GSF. Cheers.