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V6 alloytec Acclaim Heater Tap Replacement then Overheating

Growley

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Hey Guys,
Thought I'd replace the corroded heater tap today as there was no hot air coming into the cabin. Job completed, I bled the cooling system, no probs. Now, the car simply overheats unless I turn it off. There were no overheating issues before this. Current state:

1) New heater tap installed, arrow side facing dash.
2) Radiator side hose gets hot, dash side hose does not.
3) Vacuum action on tap definitely works , can see the little arm move as I turn knob.
4) Cooling system bled, no more air comes out, no obvious leaks, coolant level stable.
5) Both thermo fans kick in at around 100 degrees & stay on.
6) Interior still doesn't get any heat, perhaps faulty heater tap?
7) I drove from NSW to QLD & back again 2 months ago with no cooling probs.
8) I've turned the car off at 120 degrees so as not to damage anything (Use Mode + Set buttons on Trip computer when starting engine to see coolant temp on digital display)

Right now I've started it again but with the interior heater set to cold to see if that makes any difference. Any thoughts?
 

ozNick

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Take the new tap off and check whether it opens and shuts when the arm is moved back and forth.
 

Smashfist

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It's not been bled properly. Alloytecs are a bitch to bleed 100%. I bleed them with a "bong" - an old radiator cap with a soft drink bottle sealed into it with sikaflex. Cut the bottom off the bottle and seal the top into a hole drilled in the cap. Half fill it with coolant and idle the car until the thermostat opens, be ready to top up the bong as required. Just keep in mind if you let it get too hot it will spew coolant everywhere. Make sure to pinch off the overflow hose too.
 

Growley

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Take the new tap off and check whether it opens and shuts when the arm is moved back and forth.

Thanks, I've removed and checked the tap under a tap(!) & it works fine. I replaced it & noticed the bottom radiator hose had a slight leak. I've reseated the hose & moved the clamp & now there's no leak.
 

Growley

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It's not been bled properly. Alloytecs are a bitch to bleed 100%. I bleed them with a "bong" - an old radiator cap with a soft drink bottle sealed into it with sikaflex. Cut the bottom off the bottle and seal the top into a hole drilled in the cap. Half fill it with coolant and idle the car until the thermostat opens, be ready to top up the bong as required. Just keep in mind if you let it get too hot it will spew coolant everywhere. Make sure to pinch off the overflow hose too.

Once the thermostat opens, I undo the radiator bleed screw & get only running coolant now (after getting air the first few times). Doesn't this mean there's no more air in the system?
 

Growley

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So by way of an update, I opened the radiator cap today & there was no coolant in the neck. I've spent a few hours today running the car, bleeding, letting the car cool down, adding more coolant, rinse & repeat several times. Ended up adding another 2.5 - 3 liters of coolant. So now the car is bled properly & is no longer overheating.
:yeah:


Back to the original problem, the interior heat is still not working properly. When the heater tap is open, I can feel the hose fill with with coolant & the hose is definitely hot to the touch!

If I turn off the interior fan & let it sit for a bit & then turn it back on the interior gets really hot air for the first 20 seconds but then cools down. Any ideas?
 

kjholden

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did u find the problem i have same problem iv change the hetar core first as it was leaking this was a bitch to do then i put new heater tap new thermo an new waterpump an still no heat inside the car cant de fog/mist anything driving me nuts!
 

Benboy

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Your radiator may have restricted flow ! Suggest you consult an Engine Cooling Specialist (Radiator Repair/Specialist). They can do a thorough check and pressure test etc. To do otherwise will likely be a waste of time and money.
 
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