Cooling systems

[ParkerDub]

Anybody had as much of a ballache trying to bleed their cooling system as me, had the waterpump off when i was changing timing belt and still not getting reliable heat from the matrix, anybody else had similar problems?
going to try a h/gasket test tomorrow fingers crossed its ok but id rather be on the safe side before i do any damage.

[xandyx]

there's a bleed niple next to the heater matrix under the plastic cover. i think that's the proper way to do it.

correct me if i'm wrong!

cheers

[hayesey]

yep that's right.  It's a plastic screw thing

[Jezza-7]

I seem to get the opposite at the mo. On cold i still get slightly warm air coming through. Does it need bleeding again?

[GR40]

I think that the valve that seals the heater matrix and stops the flow of hot water in it is not closing right, that would cause some heat to still come through! Its on the side of the matrix on one of the tubes and it practically works Just like a throttle body. Turn it by hand, if it just sticks open then it needs cleaning, if not its only plastic and it may have been corroded and not seal you ll have to live with it cause I doubt you ll find a new one!

[ParkerDub]

Did the headgasket test and all is ok, then tried a pressure test on the system to check for leaks, turns out when the radiator was fitted (a few weeks before i bought the car) the bottom coolant hose was not on correctly and the clip wasnt on properly so was loosing a small amount of water, all fixed now and some fresh antifreeze in, can see it starting to freeze in the mornings soon.