Problems in VX after Cooling System Flush

[Secki]

Ok, ive flushed the cooling system/radiator/block/heater core, and am now experiencing the following problems in my girls VX Ecotech.....

1) Heater/hot air working on and off
2) Water/Liquid coming out of foot vents
3) Car overheating - dial going right up to max
4) Smoke/Steam coming out of vents with burning smell and coolant smell.
5) Coolant bubbling into overflow tank after city driving.

These happen on and off and in no particular order.

Any one can help?

[VTSSDUDE]

Geez, that sounds weird, like this is intermittent?
There can only be one explanation for steam to be coming out of the air vents, if you have a leak in your heater core. Any coolant on the ground normally where you would see the air conditioner water drainage?
I say maybe the heater core had sprung a leak with the person who had the car before, and they used bars leaks or something and you doing the flushing has cleaned the bars leak out.
Leave the cold/hot air vent on full cold for a couple of days and see if the problem exists.

[minux]

yeh if there wasnt a leak i'd say the water pump or rdiator has crapped itself, could be possible that running it so hot has caused the internal leak...id have it checked out ASAP either way

[Secki]

i changed the thermostat, bled it, and put new radiator cap on (old one was crap) and havent had a drama yet.....the heater is working so at least she is happy about that......as for the temp, the highest it has got is 104, but its been sitting between 89-94

[VTSSDUDE]

89-94 is alright, but I can't explain what causes the white vapour out of the vents, I hope someone else can as I would like to find out for myself.

[beeks]

Sounds like your up for a new Heater core , the symtoms you described are classic Heater core failure.Get onto it ASAP (your looking at $600) or you may do irreparable damage to your motor.

[Secki]

ok since the last flush ive run some wynns cooling system flush through it, added Repco Coolant (commodore recommended)......all was fine for a few days,.......... then i get steam/smoke out of the windscreen vents.........what now? i think it is sounding like a heater core? if so what causes this problem any one know?

[minux]

Not sure what causes the failure, age, wear etc. However, i do reccomend that you change it ASAP.

[Secki]

bloody shit me to tears.........a simple coolant change/flush and this happens!

[hkmonaro68]

The steam and drips out of the vents, do you have the ac on. If so, the steam and drips can be caused by the ac drain tube being blocked.
If you havent been using the AC for the above to happen, then it does sound like the heater core is leaking.
You could bypass the heater by looping the heater hoses before the firewall. This will confirm the diagnosis. Will also buy you some time and $$$ if you cant afford either at present. Though not good at this time of year.

[grafxworld]

You flushed out the stop leak which was keeping the old girl from leaking, try the holden tablets(3 brown tablets ) and a tube of silver solder sealer. about 6 bucks, fixed mine up until I can afford to replace the heater core , it's been working fine for two years so far...LOL
never overheats now even on the 45 degree days, also make sure you took the air locks out of the system after filling coolant up. v6 motors have one on top of the thermostat cover, (little brass screw and nut thingy)

100% sure you have a blown heater core or water hose connection at the firewall no other reason to get coolant/water in the car.

dont bother with waterpump unless it's bearings are shot or leaking from weep hole , check your thermostat if you think it was installed backwards or slipped down during install.(if you took it out)

I wouldnt' bypass the heater unless emergency to get home only, you need the extra capacity of the heater core's coolant or the car will overheat eventually

[VTSSDUDE]

The problem is the factory heater cores are aren't very thick in the cores and water channels, but when you go and buy one to replace, they are much thicker then factory that came with the car, bit of a conspiracy I think.
But if a car has had the right or good coolant all of it's life especially a new model car like a VX the heater core shouldn't rust out or corrode.

[EXCESSV]

The problem is the factory heater cores are aren't very thick in the cores and water channels, but when you go and buy one to replace, they are much thicker then factory that came with the car, bit of a conspiracy I think.
But if a car has had the right or good coolant all of it's life especially a new model car like a VX the heater core shouldn't rust out or corrode.

yeah agree with you dude.
my mums VP ran coolant for a couple of years from new then dad only used water and the heater core lasted from 1992 till 2004. so if you run coolant always it should last heaps longer

[Secki]

Right ive done a heater bypass untill the taxman can pay to get it fixed....itsd stopped overheating but the windows are still fogging up when its sitting there overnight...........it almost as bad as the exterior overnight due

Ive tried countless window cleaners and anti fogs.......anyone know of any good glass cleanerS?

[grafxworld]

Megulars works great. but pricey
airconditioning on cold with recirculate selected with the fan on high will clear them in 30 seconds or less

[Secki]

air con works ok on the fornt window but still you can see it smeared. the passenger and back windows still stay fogged........maybe i have to shampoo the carpet to get all the coolant out?

[andrewgrazier]

it sounds really sus
but it also sounds like its probably not somthing u ****ed up when u flushed the system out

im not sure but did you put the heater on and run the engine before u done it? cause i think your supposed to do it

[Secki]

ive been told when i flushed the block and heater core that i may have washed out any previous "stop leak " or "core and radiator repair" substance that a previous owner might have used........

[2Com]

ive been told when i flushed the block and heater core that i may have washed out any previous "stop leak " or "core and radiator repair" substance that a previous owner might have used........

Just use two of the three 'stop leak' pellets from Holden parts.