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djjames
2nd Oct 2006, 19:20
Hi guys.

A couple of weeks ago i bought a 1995 Disco TDI auto from a local car dealer. It went fine and seemed a great car. I did a few mile in it and then took it too a garage for a service. The guys who did it are very experienced mechanics who both own Disco TDIs.

Anyway soon after the service an intermittent problem started. Which i would belive was there before the service as i had not covered more then 50 miles before the service.

Problem is this. Temp goes over the red sometimes. Once i drove a few miles and the car was fine. Then i drove a few more a few minutes later and the temp went over the red. I stopped it to let it cool then drove slowly home. Temp was still high. I checked the water in the rad and it needed a couple of pints. I then drove to the garage that did the service and it was fine. This included motorway miles. They checked head gasket etc and all was fine. I started to drive it home and it startet playing up again so i took it back. On the way back the temp went back to normal.

The rad was in poor condition so they changed it. They used it all weekend and it was great. They even towed there race car with it about 100 miles and there was no problems at all. Tonight they moved it in there yard and water was pooring out the header tank!

Any ideas guys? Sorry about the long post.

When its running hot the heater only pumps out cold air.

Donk
2nd Oct 2006, 19:33
Could be an airlock in the water system causing an intermittent heat build up,, or a dodgy thermostat..Cant really see it being head gasket but take it to someone else first for a second opinion..

djjames
2nd Oct 2006, 19:36
Cheers

The thermostat appears to be brand new. Which may indicate a previous problem.

Donk
2nd Oct 2006, 19:42
In that case if there,s been a water problem in the past and the thermostat has been changed i would put money on it that there,s an airlock...You need to find the smallest pipe thats furthest away from the water filling point...Possibly one of the heater matrix pipes that go through the bulkhead...Undo the return pipe and let the water flow with engine running and make sure you keep the water resovoir topped up...This principle will drain any air trapped in system...If you aint sure get a mechanic to do it...He,ll probably know which pipe to remove...My Disco has a bleed screw in line on the top hose of the radiator..Good luck

djjames
2nd Oct 2006, 19:48
During the service they changed the water pump. Could this have caused an air lock?

mungo
2nd Oct 2006, 19:53
Yep, it could...But I had the same problem on my old tdi, that turned out to be a faulty thermostat.
Cya
mungo:)

Donk
3rd Oct 2006, 17:16
Yep, it could...But I had the same problem on my old tdi, that turned out to be a faulty thermostat.
Cya
mungo:)
i have also had Rogue Thermostats...
Would be an idea to get one from a main dealer...Try that first, then bleed system..:D

djjames
5th Oct 2006, 13:21
Well it looks like that in the past the head gasket has blown. When it was replaced they used the old head bolts. So that means that the head may not have been skimmed and that is causing air to enter the system.

Looks like a chat with the dealer may be in order. Chances are they would know nothing about it as its very intermittent.

What do you guys think about it?

Cheers for all your help so far.

Donk
5th Oct 2006, 13:27
Well that would almost certainly account for the intermittent temp rises...Good luck with the main dealers..They wont give nothing away and will probably say that they acted on the previous owners instructions..Thats one of there favourites

landiemac
5th Oct 2006, 15:24
Hi mate hope you get it sorted soon. Seen the piccies like it a lot, :)