Hello guys.

 

Lately I've been having some problems with my brother's octavia and i'd like some advice if possible.

 

I've been searching the forums for a while to find a suitable solution, only to come to a halting result.

I've replaced the faulty fan relays, water pump/tension belt and thermostat, bled the system correctly, In small distance drives there is no problem but when traveling the engine overheats.

There are no visible leaks within the engine bay and passenger cabin and coolant level stays the same, the head gasket is ok since i don't have any milkshake oil, and three different shops (two independent + one skoda dealer) haven't found anything else wrong.

 

I'm Greek btw, elec. engineer in the profession, long time car enthusiast/shade tree mechanic and i keep my E36 BMW in tip top shape all by myself, but this critter has got me frustrated since in the scorching heat we have in the summer the car is useless for long distance drives.

 

I'd appreciate some help please, thank you.

Edited 24 August, 20187 yr by Elusive_Cure

1 hour ago, Elusive_Cure said:

Hello guys.

 

Lately I've been having some problems with my brother's octavia and i'd like some advice if possible.

 

I've been searching the forums for a while to find a suitable solution, only to come to a halting result.

I've replaced the faulty fan relays, water pump/tension belt and thermostat, bled the system correctly, In small distance drives there is no problem but when traveling the engine overheats.

There are no visible leaks within the engine bay and passenger cabin and coolant level stays the same, the head gasket is ok since i don't have any milkshake oil, and three different shops (two independent + one skoda dealer) haven't found anything else wrong.

 

I'm Greek btw, elec. engineer in the profession, long time car enthusiast/shade tree mechanic and i keep my E36 BMW in tip top shape all by myself, but this critter has got me frustrated since in the scorching heat we have in the summer the car is useless for long distance drives.

 

I'd appreciate some help please, thank you.

Forgot to mention, the radiator is new as well.

When was the last time the cooling system was flushed properly so the water comes out as clean as it went in?

 

Has the thermostat actually been tested to make sure it works

Same with the radiator thermoswitch and are they compatible temperature wise?

 

Will the fans work if you run wires direct from the battery to the plug?

 

Lots to consider

51 minutes ago, fwdnewbie said:

When was the last time the cooling system was flushed properly so the water comes out as clean as it went in?

 

Has the thermostat actually been tested to make sure it works

Same with the radiator thermoswitch and are they compatible temperature wise?

 

Will the fans work if you run wires direct from the battery to the plug?

 

Lots to consider

The coolant was flushed a couple of weeks ago which was last time it went into the skoda dealership.

The water pump and belt was changed preemptively at the dealership.

The thermostat was tested by both the dealership and me with a laser thermometer, it opens and circulates just above 90 C.

Fans kick correctly, first time it overheated was because of the corroded relay module which was changed with a new one. Directly connecting them to the battery also works, it was my first test before diagnosing the faulty relay.

The radiator was changed more than a year and a half ago after a fender bender, it is an after market one, worked fine and flawlessly until the relay problem surfaced a couple of months ago.

 

So freaking frustrating.

 

 

Edited 24 August, 20187 yr by Elusive_Cure

Going into a skoda dealership doesnt count for anything. 

 

I've never heard of a dealer properly flushing a cooling system before because its time consuming and not something they can make much money from.

 

So if the fan kicks in and does its job how is it overheating? 

Is the fan cutting in on 1st or 2nd speed when it comes on?, if it comes on 1st stage, does it ever achieve second speed stage?.