Pinto power here we come

Post by **Stuart** » Sun Oct 24, 2010 7:41 pm

Brown residue can point to someone using the incorrect coolant. Not 100%, but could well be.

pablo · Post by **pablo** » Tue Oct 26, 2010 6:21 am

Sounds like you're on the right path, flush the whole system and change the stat. All the sierra's that we've had (about 14), have always had very good heaters.

How far are you driving before the temp. gauge gets up to 1/2 way and how often does it do that on a normal journey.

Bart · Post by **Bart** » Tue Oct 26, 2010 9:21 am

rob id hate throw a spanner in the works with other peoples comments put you may have a air lock within the pipes too and from the matrix mate.
when the car is warm slowely release the header tank cap and see if you have excess air come out and if so start car and leave it running till fans cut in and you get a continous water flow to the header tank.

the brown residue may be caused by a couple of things and if it looks like gunge then it could be a mix of rust and a lime scale build up if you/previous owner lived in a hard water area, so i would start looking for a spare just incase this one starts leaking mate.

just my thorts

Rob S · Post by **Rob S** » Tue Oct 26, 2010 2:31 pm

Cheers guys. Fans won't cut in as such as they are viscous. I'll run it up again and re-check that the expansion top pipe is continually topping it up. Strange the heat is nt consistant as the pipes in and out of the matrIlx get really hot. The gauge takes about 5 minutes to come up, maybe a little more. My 8 mile journey sees the gaugue fluctuate about 3-4 times.

pablo · Post by **pablo** » Tue Oct 26, 2010 5:07 pm

I've just spoke to Alan about this and to save confusing things by us both saying what it might be or what to do. A'll speak to Alan and then let him post.

If it's not sorted by the time we are ready to take a road trip with the new car, we would be only too happy to pop down and sort it for you. Any excuse for a road trip:driving:

Rob S · Post by **Rob S** » Tue Oct 26, 2010 7:44 pm

Thanks Paul/Alan, really appreciate both the advice and the offer

dave j · Post by **dave j** » Tue Oct 26, 2010 9:34 pm

very good sir

Rob S · Post by **Rob S** » Wed Nov 03, 2010 7:34 pm

Big thanks to Dave and Jay today for their patience, with a little (quite a bit) of adult supervision, the heater matrix is done and the thermostat changed. I've now got a nice warm car and no skin on my knuckles and a stiff back. Not a bad swap!!
What a bastard job

Post by **Stuart** » Wed Nov 03, 2010 7:41 pm

Good news mate. Nice to hear that you've got the car fixed, so that you can enjoy it over the next few months. It's when you can't even enjoy the basics, that the whole thing of just getting into a car and driving it, comes into focus.

Not that I'm bitter!

Rob S · Post by **Rob S** » Wed Nov 03, 2010 7:47 pm

I've a power steering conversion to do next, think I better buy Dave some more biscuits:)