My heaters on my car seem to take really long to heat up, probably like 5 miles before they start coming out warm. Which is not normal as I drove a 1.4 TDI the other day which hadn't been started in a week and it was blowing warm air within 10 mins. I want to change the coolant in the car and see if that makes a difference, or could it be the thermostat? It does eventually get hot thou so could it just need fresh coolant. 

 

How do I drain the coolant? Is there a plug at the bottom of the radiator I can unscrew and let it all drain out or do I have to unclip some pipes??

 

Thanks !

It's the thermostat.

If you look here you will see the drain plug location:-

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/94593-fabia-vrs-timing-belt-change-diy/

 

 But don't think changing coolant will make much difference, probably thermostat as above.

Edited 18 December, 201411 yr by KeithCheetham

Oh... I thought it could be the thermostat but heat comes out the heaters but just takes ages?? So I ruled it out.. You reckon its the thermostat?

Oh... I thought it could be the thermostat but heat comes out the heaters but just takes ages?? So I ruled it out.. You reckon its the thermostat?

 

It's an open and shut case, in this case it's stuck open 

It's an open and shut case, in this case it's stuck open 

 

I'd say the case is watertight :p

I'm changed the coolant, thermostat and done a 75% grill block on my PD100 and it still takes 12 miles at 50/70mph to get engine to full temp.

Not knowing your driving conditions, but the PD100 engine does seem to take an age to get upto heat.

My pd100 temp is stuck at quarter temp. Midway between 0 and 90. Pretty sure it's the thermostat.

@gfwc - If it stays there steadily then it almost certainly is.

If it fluctuates erratically too then it's possibly the coolant temp sensor.

cheers guys. I changed the coolant and it seems to be better now.. Old coolant was so old!! 

Coolant degrades over the years in its ability to protect your engine against corrosion.  I struggle to see how it could change in a way that would result in the engine running so much cooler that your heater doesn't work as well. :think:

Coolant degrades over the years in its ability to protect your engine against corrosion.  I struggle to see how it could change in a way that would result in the engine running so much cooler that your heater doesn't work as well. :think:

I agree. Perhaps an air lock or some grime was dislodged in the coolant change?

It could be psychological

It could be psychological

 

Imaginary more like!

I'd have thought a 1.9 four cylinder would heat up faster than a 1.4 three cylinder. Don't forget a diesel NEEDS to work to get hot. I used to do nights on standby in a Transit 90/350 and on really cold nights ,I had to keep heater low with engine on idle and at times go for a short run making the engine work to get some heat. I've actually sat in outside shops in my 1.4 with temperature on normal and heater on ,waiting for mrs, to see temp gauge drop .  As a guide, mine only gets up to temp after about five miles of slow low rev third gear work .Coolant is two year old.