98 VT 5.0 LTR Overheating issue ?

[broomie21]

Hi All
My VT has recently started to overheat and after doing all the usual checks I found that the heater tap had eroded and water was leaking slowly from it. After removing it i found it was very worn and obviously needed replacing.
My question is would this heater tap alone be the cause of the overheating or might there be more to it ? When replacing the tap is the other things you should replace just to be safe ?
Also I've noticed that the air con has stopped working ? Could the broken heater tap cause any problems with the airconditioning or nothing at all to do with it ?

Thanks for any advice

Regards

Dave

[VR38]

A leak from anywhere will cause a loss of coolant and a rise in temp.
If the heater tap is that corroded I would assume the rest of the cooling system needs a good clean/flush and inspection.

[accentstencil]

When you say the A/C isn't working, do you mean the compressor isn't engaging, or it is engaging but blowing hot or warm air? If it is the latter then a heater tap that is stuck on hot can cause this.

[Killr6]

while you've got the system empty you should replace a few things, like your thermostat, radiator cap just cheap simple things that cause problems.

[broomie21]

Thanks for the info guys much appreciated

[broomie21]

Just an update on the overheating !
Replaced the heater tap, top hose and thermostat, flushed cooling system, replaced coolant and topped up radiator.... good as new.
Before I posted on this forum i took the car to my local holden dealer and another local mechanic both of which told me that there is deffinately more to it and costs to fix varied from around $500 - $800. Goes to show how good this forum is with varied opinions and trying stuff yourself can and will save you big bucks. This fix cost me a total of $90 and about 2 hours of my time - Thanks again guys

[VR38]

Good result is good news.
Just make sure you flush the system within 12 months this time and replace any more suspect hoses, then service as per the book.

[NickVR]

Replacing the heater hoses when doing the heater tap is usually recommended, mainly because you have to disconnect them anyway. But you have fixed the problem which is good to hear. If you are going to replace most or all of the hoses get a pack. Mackay and other brands do hose packs which include top, bottom and all other hoses including heater. Usually the cheaper way out, and any hoses you take off which still look in reasonable condition keep them a side for spares. Can sometimes get you out of a tight spot if one decides to let go.

[broomie21]

Once again thanks for the info and help - it's good to know there's great people still around

[Mirkz]

I was sitting in traffic for a while today and noticed my temp needle start to creep up over the half way mark which started to get me worried. Luckily every time it did, the traffic would move 50-100m and it was enough to get it back under to where it usually sits.

Now I'm wondering if I need to think about changing some shit up before it actually gets REALLY hot ? (It's quite cool here today, almost enough to wear a jumper).

I'm thinking it'd be nice to perhaps do a complete cooling system recondition.
Ie. New alloy radiator (maybe a 'performance' one if there's a difference?). New piping, new heater core, new thermostat, new radiator fluid.

Anyone have an idea how much it may cost for this or if it's worth it?
Or should I only worry about it if it starts to get over the 3/4 mark etc ...

[Killr6]

hey mrikz i had the same problem with my VT

my temp would creep up to about 3/4 and then the thermo fans would kick in then it would go back to normal.

i had a really bad blocked radiator, got the system cleaned and professionally flushed and all good

edit: but a new system recondition would only do the system good and an alloy radiator at that would go great with the summer coming up, i just upgraded to an alloy radiator and my temp now only just rises over 1/4, and before it sat just under half.

prices for an 8 im guessing would be the same as a six.

alloy radiator about 250-350$
new piping set 100$ish
thermostat from MACE is like 30$
heater core 150$ ish

[Mirkz]

Ah cool, cheers, might start aiming to get it looked at.
Definitely want the heater core done before next winter though, barely got away with foggy windows toward the end of last winter because of it.

Gonna be a big job though I rekon, best part of a week off or something haha

Are there any good sites where you can buy this kinda stuff from?
I've only really seen Ebay previously. Haven't come across many performance parts sites.

[Killr6]

yeah im hoping mine doesnt go not looking foward to changing it lol.

with the thermostat send steve a PM in the MACE section and he can help you out there.

with an alloy radiator there a quite a few places that do them, one off the top of my head is PWR and they can supply all new piping etc, but not sure what prices you would be looking at. i picked mine up on ebay incl new hoses and clamps, for 400$. with ebay i learned its best to wait and slowly shop around and a bargin always comes up. with ebay aswell you could pick up a full alloy radiator for 290$ and thats deffs going to be an upgrade from the shitty plastic ones.


and not to sure with a new heater core.