Winter Blues

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by Guest, Nov 18, 2004.

  1. Guest

    Guest Guest

    I have a 93 Peugeot 205 but the car doesn't heat up enough in very cold
    weather. I asked a friend if I should change the thermostat but he has
    suggested that I should clean out the cooling system, is this a difficult
    job to do? I know you have to bleed the cooling system once you flush the
    residue out but I have been told that if I let any air into the system I
    will have no heating in the car at all, is this true? I'm an OAP and can't
    afford to pay a garage to do it for me. What is the easiest way to do this
    job, any help given would be greatly appreciated.
     
    Guest, Nov 18, 2004
    #1
  2. Guest

    someone Guest

    check the pipes that run through the bulkhead into the heater unit to see if
    they are getting warm,
    its possible that the heater matrix may be partialy blocked if they are luke
    warm or even cold, esspecially if there are no other apparant problems with
    the cooling system, ie: the car isnt overheating, the temperature guage is
    working correctly and the engine appears to warm up ??? the cooling fan cuts
    in regularly when the engine is hot ?? etc.
    try removing the pipes to the heater matrix and flushing it through with a
    hosepipe.
    if there is air in the cooling system it will eventually work its way to the
    header tank.
     
    someone, Nov 18, 2004
    #2
  3. Guest

    Guest Guest

    Thanks, someone, I will try what you said, by the way my cooling fan has
    never cut in when the engine is hot, I guess the engine is not heating up to
    the right temperature?

    ====
     
    Guest, Nov 18, 2004
    #3
  4. Guest

    Stuart Gray Guest

    Thermostat stuck wide open? A new one costs very little and it's an easy
    DIY. If you can feel warm air coming through the vents as opposed to hot
    air, could be the radiator is cooling the whole system too much because of
    the unrestricted thermostat.
     
    Stuart Gray, Nov 18, 2004
    #4
  5. Guest

    Mick Guest

    clamp them first so you don't loose your anti-freeze mixture
     
    Mick, Nov 18, 2004
    #5
  6. Guest

    someone Guest

    Very likely, just as long as the fan is actually working, you could unplug
    the fan switch, bridge the terminals, and see if the fan actually cuts in
    just to make sure.
     
    someone, Nov 19, 2004
    #6
  7. Guest

    Mindwipe Guest

    although it may be worthwhile changing it as the af mixture goes acidic with
    age
    also a high af concentrate heats up quicker than a weak one
     
    Mindwipe, Nov 19, 2004
    #7
  8. Guest

    Guest Guest

    What would you suggest should be the antifreeze mixture Mindwipe. I have
    been told 25% antifreeze and 75% water. Does this sound right to you?
    ==========
     
    Guest, Nov 20, 2004
    #8
  9. Guest

    Mindwipe Guest

    which area do you live in cos you can run to 50/50 mixture where the temp
    gets really low
     
    Mindwipe, Nov 20, 2004
    #9
  10. Guest

    Guest Guest

    I live in Rainy Scotland Mindwipe where it can get bellow freezing quite
    often.
    ==========
     
    Guest, Nov 20, 2004
    #10
  11. Guest

    Mindwipe Guest

    in that case go 30 af to 70 water
     
    Mindwipe, Nov 20, 2004
    #11
  12. Guest

    Mindwipe Guest

    and i would still put a new thermostat in there
     
    Mindwipe, Nov 20, 2004
    #12
  13. Guest

    Guest Guest

    <snip>

    "> and i would still put a new thermostat in there.

    My thoughts exactly Mindwipe.
     
    Guest, Nov 20, 2004
    #13
  14. Guest

    Stuart Gray Guest

    Is it a petrol engine or a diesel engine? what size? we know it's a '93.
    For Scotland (where I live) I would go for the manufacturer recommended
    amount. In my Haynes Manual for a petrol 205 it does not specify a
    percentage, but does suggest that you use enough to protect your engine down
    to -25 % C. This does suggest that it should state what percentage is
    required on the bottle of anti freeze that you bought and use the amount
    accordingly.
    However, in my Diesel Haynes manual for the 205, it suggests Antifreeze
    content should be 50% to protect down to -35%C

    Stuart
     
    Stuart Gray, Nov 21, 2004
    #14
  15. Guest

    Guest Guest

    Stewart it's a petrol 1360cc and I've been told that we poor Scots are in
    for quite a cold winter? I'm just wondering if there easy enough jobs to do
    myself?
    ====
     
    Guest, Nov 21, 2004
    #15
Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments (here). After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.