Rsedmonds

I’ve used 3x compression testers and they all read the same give or take 0.5 bar. The head was skimmed but I’m not sure how much was removed but the skim limit was still visible. Unfortunately I didn’t take a picture of it after it was skimmed. Yes the radiator hoses were soft and pressure in the header tank was low. I’ve replaced the hoses with same bore pipes that were fitted 32mm & 19mm.

Hi, This a picture of how i have the thermostat housing piped up on my 1.6 AEE engine. What I will say that I've forgotten to add previously is the car is OK around the streets on the estate as there's a lot of stop start at junctions. but as soon as I get on a long road the temp will gradually build up and within 5 minutes will sit at the 100 degree mark as previously pictured.

Also I have compression of 16 bar across all cylinders. I’m being told by mechanics that in general that’s fine. but I’m being given figures quoted as official of a maximum pressure 15 bar.

I’ve done a sniff test on the header tank (the blue stuff in a tube) on numerous occasions Saturday gone and all have been negative. Fan switches on when expected, the heater gets up to temp and it has new coolant pipe all round which has increased the pressure in the system helping reduce the temp slightly. I’ll take a picture of the hoses layout tomorrow and post.

I’m starting to think about just ripping the engine out and replacing it with another. What are the popular options for a swap?

It’s not an issue, I don’t know the engines either so what you said made me think and if it provoked that reaction then we’re half way there. I’m very much cut from the same cloth when it come to memory retention so I believe you should say what you think (before it’s forgotten) because though 50% of what I say is wrong the other 50% is right and may just be the answer needed.

I thought the 1.6 valves were hydraulic and non adjustable?

I’m testing the same way using the same test equipment. I’ve borrowed 2 compression testers from guys at work so I can test and compare them to mine. As compression was good, other than the sonic clean of the pistons I did nothing else and all the rings are the original ones that came with the engine. when the engine was apart the only thing change was the head gasket. Oil wise I can’t say what was in there but I’ve replaced it with the correct grade for the UK. I’ve also got my hands on 2 leak down testers so along with the compression test I’ll also conduct a leak down testers this weekend.

Right, I've had to take some time away from this as I’m close to rolling it off a cliff 🤬. Changed the pipes and though it’s slightly improved thing it’s not change the overall issue of it over heating. After running the truck for over 20 minutes I can see moisture on top of the pistons and I’m not sure whether it’s oil, water or just condensation. What I do know and is the reason for my post is that I have (and always did have) compression across all 4 cylinder of 16 bar. So my question is, Is 16 bar within range and an acceptable pressure or am I way to high and could this be a possible root cause of my overheating?

@Papez theres an issue definitely but where I don’t know. When I got the car it had a blown head gasket so it’s had an issue since day one (for me anyway). Obviously the HG has been changed and as part of the rebuild it’s had a new water pump as part of the cam belt change, the pipe from the pump to thermostat housing changed as the end was broken, and the thermostat housing has been changed as the threads were stripped. So with all those things changed it’s still overheating. I went to change to the diesel rad but backed out due to fitment issues but exchanged that for the correct size for the 1.6. Now clutching at straws and the only things not changed are the hoses and the heater matrix. I’ve removed the heater matrix and with the help of others determined that it’s holding the correct amount of fluid and so has been refitted. I have noticed that the hoses to the heater matrix are incorrect and stretched around the airbox. Also the thermostat to lower radiator pipe is super soft and semi collapsed (but this has only show it’s self since I’ve started using a vacuum fill) so a 2 meters of 32mm pipe and 3m of 19mm pipe have been ordered and will get fitted this weekend. I have tested the radiator cap pumping in just under 2 bar into the header tank and it released that pressure. When it’s all back together and if it overheats still the issue has got to lie elsewhere but where or what I’m lost.

@D.FYLAKTOS i have neither the pipe or the bolt in the engine block, I believe they both belong to the 1.3 not the AEE 1.6 engine.

Hi guys me again, As I try to find out why my engine continues to over heat I’ve read on several posts about a drain plug in the engine block for coolant. I was wandering if the AEE engine has such a thing? I know theres a lot of talk round only needing to remove the bottom radiator hose but that’s been done on multiple occasions and the issue still remains. So my thoughts were while I have it apart (again) if there was such a thing I could remove it to run a flush through it.

I’m not seeing it, what engine is yours on mine is the 1.6 AEE engine?

@Papez hi, yes is the short answer. When I put the coolant system flush in I removed the thermostat and ran it up to (and passed temp) I then flushed it twice and both times it went higher than 90 degrees.

Hi, I’m have trouble getting my engine to run at temp and thought I’d tried everything until I read this in your thread. Could I ask where the engine block coolant drain plug is please? Rob

A 7.8 x 260mm pipe holds 12.43mls. We just need to know how many pipes there are and how much capacity each end holds. 😂 Looking at pictures there’s 14 pipes so that works out to 174mls which would work out to be correct.

I did but nothing changed

@nta16 I agree the parts cannon is not the way to go and all parts so far fitted have been to replace damaged parts or recommended during a service. But by replacing the parts for the reasons stated now means that the only parts not changed is the heater matrix and pipe work. I can see that my lower radiator hose has gone soft so if not replaced soon will soon split and the other hoses fitted don’t fit correctly. I’ve removed my heater matrix today and other then the contents coming out of the box resembling and saw mill it the matrix only holds 200mls of water and checking the internet I’m see figure of between 300-500ml as an average for standard heater matrix’s to hold. if I do end up replacing it which I’m starting to doubt whether it needs to be replaced. But, once I’ve rebuilt the cooling system it rules it out which then leaves me the question of what else it could be?

Does anyone know how much fluid a heater matrix should hold? I’ve removed mine and it only holds 200ml which seems low to me. 🙏

I’ve tested the cap and it blows off between 1-1.5 bar which is correct. I’ve going back to scratch and stripping the whole thing down. I’ve ordered replacement pipes, not moulded but the correct bore so thought the run might be longer the flow should be as per spec. I’m also going to order a heater matrix (even without feedback from my other post) and then everything in the cooling system will have been replaced.

@R_Blue hi mate, I’m suffering with my 1.6 Felicia overheating even over here in the UK at 8 degrees. While searching for answers and solutions I’ve come across your comprehensive write up and would like to understand what you did better. When I try to open the pictures all I get is “image not found” messages for all pictures. Is it possible to share the pictures again or tell me how I can get to see them elsewhere where? regards Rob

@nta16 hi mate, my intention with doing the system flush was to open up any small passage ways that could be restricting the coolants flow. I think the flow is good as I’m getting a good return at the header tank. Checking what I’ve fitted the thermostat housing is correct to LLLparts though mine according to my order has an 80 degree thermostat rather than 87 degree one quoted. The water pump is a Quinton Hazell Water Pump QCP3157 which was bought as part of a kit . When doing a search it says 8th the correct one for the car. The head gasket kit I’m still trying to track down what I bought from GSF. Timing I will check again but isn’t managed by the ECU? Plugs are what came with the car (I’ll check their correct) air filter, oil filter and oil 5/30 are all new. Brakes are free and release well after being applied. When the car is sat on the drive the temp will climb slowly towards 100 degrees, the fan kicks in and will bring it back down to 90. Over the last couple of days I’ve been vacuum filling the system though it only seems to take between 3-4 litres of coolant at a time. When applying the vacuum it holds rock solid and doesn’t budge. I also pressure tested the system and it only dropped 2 psi in 3hrs. This suggests to me that the head gasket has a good seal but I will do a leak down test this week. I have today tried to burp the car by jacking it up from side to side while running it up and applying revs. I did notice that there wasn’t a great build up of pressure in the system and I was able to remove the cap without any loss of fluid. I’m now starting to think that my coolant hoses are too soft and are not supporting the system when pressure should be building.

The thermostat switch has got 84-91 stamped on the side. I know it works and at the moment I’m happy with how it’s performing. It comes on when the needle is horizontal or around 100 degrees

Wel that’s not changed a thing. 2 flushes with the thermostat out and 2 flushes with the thermostat in. Took the car for a drive and it took longer to get there but get there it did, back to where it was and I’m not sure whether that it’s limit or it’s the fan kicks in (which it does) and brings it back down. I had a cabin temp of around 50c but I’m at a loss now as to what it can be and can’t afford the coolant 😖.

I put the flush in about 18hrs ago running it up to temp then left it to do its best over night. I’ve just given it its first flush of the day and I’m now sat in the car running it up to temp writing this message. I’ll repeat this at least twice more as I flush out any remaining cleaner. Doing this over and over again also give me the opportunity to practise with the vacuum filling system I haven’t yet had the chance to use yet but it’s going to get abused today. 😂🤣😂🤣