Hi guys, New here and a new owner of an octavia estate 1.9 tdi 2006. So I've just bought the car never owned a skoda before and after some advice. 

 

So first of all I've got no heat inside the car, checked coolant slightly low but nowhere near empty so topped up while engine was cold. Left the car running untill it reached temp still no heat. Checked oil and water no water in oil no oil in water, checked matrix one side hot one side cold. Gave the car some throttle noticed steam from expansion bottle then noticed very very small hole in the top edge of the tank, when on the throttle small amounts of water are spitting from the hole along with the steam, water looks brown/rusty. no idea if this hole is supposed to be there... Steam blow off hole?  Seen a lot of threads about head gasket and now very worried I've bought a ringer. No other obvious leaks that I can see. 

 

Hoping someone is going to tell me it's not necessarily the head gasket. 

 

Appreciate all feedback

Thanks in advance 

Couple of immediate thoughts; do you know if the thermostat is working? Also, head gasket problems usually result in oil contamination in the cooling system (anything from oily film to emulsions) and also water getting into the oil system (check dipstick and especially around the oil filler for emulsions).

 

Thanks for reply stickymicky, no I'm not sure at this point re thermostat that's my next check. Have checked dipstick and oil cap etc, no residue or emulsion, oil actually looks fairly clean. Any suggestions re the whole in the exp tank? 

Also forgot to mention In First post, the fans are kicking as they should, 

31 minutes ago, Mrjayy said:

Any suggestions re the hole in the exp tank?

 

Nothing specific but the cooling system should still operate and circulate water even unpressurised as the 'stat activation temperature should be around 90C.

I'm aware that mk2 and later Octavias rely more on sensors and solenoids for thermostatic control and that there have been issues where that dash-reported temperature is out of step with the actual temperature - two sensors, one for the dash and one for the electronic thermostat - but I'm not sure whether this applies to mk1 engines.

There are several mk1 gurus on here - @KenONeill and @mac11irl  spring to mind, although @J.R. may be able to help too, as I'm sure will others once they see your post.

thanks @StickyMicky ive never been called a guru before

 

CTS does have 2 sides, but the stat functions independently. 

id lay money the thermostat has gone thermosplat. 

 

i do seem remember there being an over pressure release valve in or near the header tank cap? so its probably that which is " leaking" but really its just protecting the engine from blowing a coolant pipe.

Just now, mac11irl said:

thanks @StickyMicky ive never been called a guru before

 

CTS does have 2 sides, but the stat functions independently. 

id lay money the thermostat has gone thermosplat. 

 

i do seem remember there being an over pressure release valve in or near the header tank cap? so its probably that which is " leaking" but really its just protecting the engine from blowing a coolant pipe.

Thank you I appreciate your input. I will pull the thermostat at some point this week and replace I'll update if this resolved the issue thank you both

4 hours ago, mac11irl said:

 ive never been called a guru before

 

I was using my phone so "guru" was easier to one-finger type than "guy who might know something"

 

Pulled thermostat out this afternoon, I'm pleased to say at the moment it's looks as though you were right it is most definitely thermosPlat lol, it's pretty siezed up so im going to flush through before putting new one in. Is there a particular method to bleeding these things? 

see how you go. ive had similar issues on 2 ASV seats. both times the header tank would pressurise from cold, test by releasing pressure when cold then start rev a bit then while the engine is still cold see if its pressurised. if it is the heads leaking gasses into the coolant.

36 minutes ago, cypher007 said:

see how you go. ive had similar issues on 2 ASV seats. both times the header tank would pressurise from cold, test by releasing pressure when cold then start rev a bit then while the engine is still cold see if its pressurised. if it is the heads leaking gasses into the coolant.

Thanks cypher007 I only get pressure in the tank when under hard load or high rpms. 

Just come back in after getting extremely frustrated. So I've successfully fitted the new thermostat, no leaks so far great... But Still no heat from the fans, but it still seems to me the thermostat is not opening as the pipe coming from the Stat housing is cold even when the car is upto temp. Both pipes from the heater matrix are now hot but still no heat, I've tried bleeding by removing the breather pipe of the top of the rad hose, getting a lot of air out but again still no heat. I'm also now getting a red coolant warning on the dash even though the temp gage is sat at 90. 

I also keep looking at the expansion bottle images on Google and I'm not seeing this little hole in the top. I'm convinced it's not supposed to be there as it looks to me as if someone has deliberately screwed a hole Into it for some reason so I'm going to replace that next. Could that be drawing in unwanted air? 

1 hour ago, Mrjayy said:

Both pipes from the heater matrix are now hot but still no heat

 

If you have climatronic air conditioning (which controls heating, cooling and humidity), the air temperature is controlled by mixing hot air from the matrix with cooler air from outside or a/c. 

Failure or sticking of the air mixer flap(s) can cut off the hot air from the heater matrix so leaving you with only cold air.

 

As a first step, try cycling all the flaps by moving the controls in all combinations, but initially just try the temperature controls.

Next step is to get a VCDS diagnostics report. This will identify failed flap servos.

Thanks @pikpilot fiddled about with controls this afternoon, varying each side etc to no avail, I don't know about climatronic I've got a switch that says econ that's about it but that's off. No aircon button just a temp control dial for a each side and one in middle for fan speed. 

19 minutes ago, Mrjayy said:

Thanks @pikpilot fiddled about with controls this afternoon, varying each side etc to no avail, I don't know about climatronic I've got a switch that says econ that's about it but that's off. No aircon button just a temp control dial for a each side and one in middle for fan speed. 

 

A photo of the panel would give confirmation.

 

If it is a manual system then check that when you move the manual controls that they feel or sound like they are moving something. Many years ago I had a manual heater and seperate a/c where the rod from the heater temperature control dial had disconnected itself (not a VAG car).

Edited 2 March, 20206 yr by pikpilot

@pikpilot this is the one I have

That must be one of the Climatronics variants as it has an AUTO switch and two temperature setting displays. 

 

 

Even the non Climatronic systems are not manual in the way that you remember and describe them, they have electric actuating flaps, the last car I can recall owning with a manual heater valve must be a 70's Mini and the last with manual heater flaps? - Cant really recall, not even sure if my Sierras had them.

@Mrjayy - Reading this thread, my first thoughts are that you need a drain, flush and refill on engine and radiator, because G12 and later OAT should be pink or orange, not "mucky brown". You also need a new expansion bottle, since I've never seen this extra hole in one (and they're under £30 new).

49 minutes ago, KenONeill said:

@Mrjayy - Reading this thread, my first thoughts are that you need a drain, flush and refill on engine and radiator, because G12 and later OAT should be pink or orange, not "mucky brown". You also need a new expansion bottle, since I've never seen this extra hole in one (and they're under £30 new).

Thanks @KenONeill as a bit of a test I've blocked the hole in the tank and sealed it temporarily and although this hasn't made any difference to the heating, I am getting some pressure in the tank when upto temp. I must admit I attempted to flush the matrix but couldn't get the damn pipes off lol I will try again later. Thankyou 

Forgot to mention as well after reading another thread on here last night I did a recalibration of the climatronic. It run through a few sequences where I could the flaps moving behind the dash. 

So I've been out on the car since 9am this Morning and just come back in. I'm about ready to put a match to the damn thing.

 

I've tried just about everything I can think of, I've done an engine flush twice, heater matrix flush 3 times and a rad flush. I've pulled the dash apart and cleaned the 3 temp sensors I found, greased the flap motors, all were moving fine. Pulled the new thermostat and tested that, working fine. Left thermostat out, made no difference so put it back. Sealed the hole in exp tank, made no difference except buildup of pressure when engines hot, bled the coolant system 3 times over as per a guide I found elsewhere. Pipes to and from matrix are hot. Tried putting diagnostic on, read no codes. Tried disabling aircon as have no manual controls, no difference.  Seen a few people mention water pumps, or head gasket etc etc. Starting to think I'll cut my losses and sell it for spares. 

On 03/03/2020 at 18:34, Mrjayy said:

So I've been out on the car since 9am this Morning and just come back in. I'm about ready to put a match to the damn thing.

 

I've tried just about everything I can think of, I've done an engine flush twice, heater matrix flush 3 times and a rad flush. I've pulled the dash apart and cleaned the 3 temp sensors I found, greased the flap motors, all were moving fine. Pulled the new thermostat and tested that, working fine. Left thermostat out, made no difference so put it back. Sealed the hole in exp tank, made no difference except buildup of pressure when engines hot, bled the coolant system 3 times over as per a guide I found elsewhere. Pipes to and from matrix are hot. Tried putting diagnostic on, read no codes. Tried disabling aircon as have no manual controls, no difference.  Seen a few people mention water pumps, or head gasket etc etc. Starting to think I'll cut my losses and sell it for spares. 

HI MrJayy,

 

I have a an identical problem to you, but with semi-automatic temperature control. I am led to believe that there is a flap motor, which controls the air mix temperature. Could this be the issue?

 

Do you ever fix yours?

 

Regards

 

Russ