The last two times I've started the car from cold, there's been no internal heating for several minutes/miles, even though water is up to 90 and oil has gone past 70.  Once it comes on (and it does so suddenly, not gradually) all is well.  This is a change, so something's happened.  Prior to this, heat would arrive gradually, but much sooner into the journey.  Altering settings or having the aircon on or off makes no difference.

 

I thought I'd read somewhere that heated water is diverted to the heater matrix first, then mixes with the car's main radiator as the engine warms up.

 

I'll pop it into Skoda next week, but wondered if anyone had any ideas?

 

Gaz

I've noticed this on a MK2 tsi, so probably not relevant, but the quick fix for that is, with fan on, to turn the heat control to minimum and then back up. And then it usually starts working. Not sure if it's a software or water pump issue. The water pump has an electrically controlled diverter sleeve that is used to speed engine warm up by stopping the flow to the heater.

 

The 1.6 TDI has a well known issue with its water pump which also has a moveable sleeve (vacuum operated I think) and this becomes stuck usually causes over heating though. Usually fixed foc by dealers under warranty

Cheers xman - haven't tried turning it all the way down and then back up again, so will give that a go.

 

I'm hoping mine's too young to have the sleeve issue, but it's not overheating in any case (and it's a 2.0 petrol).

 

Gaz

Nothing worked and it seems to be getting worse. Stone cold air for several miles, then heat arrives suddenly and all is well.

 

Booked in next Tuesday to investigate. I’m very curious as to what’s up 

 

Gaz

Theres not perhaps, a sticking thermostat? I know some car have two thermostats so one might be sticking until it hits a very high temperature, then opening fully so very hit and miss!

5 hours ago, mrgf said:

Theres not perhaps, a sticking thermostat? I know some car have two thermostats so one might be sticking until it hits a very high temperature, then opening fully so very hit and miss!

 

Good thought.  I'm sure I've seen a picture of the TSI water pump on here and it being a complex (as water pumps go) unit.  I could see an initial thermostat that diverts coolant to the heater matrix being stuck and not diverting until the main radiator stat opens.  That'd make sense and might also explain its late opening - if the engine would ordinarily warm initially on a smaller circuit.  Fingers crossed it's not too expensive as it's warranty expired last month 

 

Gaz

If it's only just expired, they may do something as "goodwill". The fault would to likely have just happened. it was probably failing over a few months period!

Probably nothing to do with it, but could it be power / heating matrix related. Possibly the battery not giving enough power and the car is waiting until it's happy with the now surplus electricity, with the engine all up to temperature.

 

Just an idea......

Dropped the car off last night.  They're not sure what the problem is, so are having to keep it for another night 

 

It dawned on me earlier that the fault may well have occurred during the warranty period, but I wouldn't have noticed as I'd not had any heating on since about May.  Skoda said there are no fault codes, so I guess there's no way to tell, either way.  That's about my luck! 

 

Gaz

Temperature Control Unit fault.

 

All credit to Eastbourne Skoda, who said they'll cover it as it's so close to the end of the warranty 

 

Parts on order and will be done early next week.

 

Gaz

Oh no!!  

 

Dropped off by Mrs V6TDI to pick the vRS up just now. About a mile from home I've got plumes of blue smoke, limp mode, and it died about 50 yards from my house (thankfully).

 

Tried to start it.  Turning over, trying to fire, but not catching.

 

When Skoda phoned me at around 5pm, they quickly checked if it had all been put back together, so it was ready for me to collect.  I hope it's not related 

 

Ironically, just as I'd pushed my car to outside my house, a delivery driver turned up with a new alloy to replace the one I kerbed a while ago  

 

Gaz

Edited 3 October, 20187 yr by V6TDI