Er problem with me rad

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 9:50 pm

Noticed that only the top half of the rad is warm, the bottom is stone cold. Could i do some damage if i continued driving the car?

Would a flush do the trick or should i just get a replacement anyway?

I do have a spare rad for my gti, is this any good for a 1.9 diesel n/a?

ken newbold · Post by **ken newbold** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 9:57 pm

First move would be to bleed the rad.

If this is on the 19d, You'll find a bleed screw on the top left (passenger side) of rad. Unscrew and top up the header tank with water. If it's already full. I'd run the engine until the fan comes in. If it's still cold at the top. You may need a new one.

m_2975 · Post by **m_2975** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 10:15 pm

Ken,

I think that Mulley meant that the bottom of the rad is cold not the top.

Mulley,

I wouldn't drive the car far with it like that as you could cause some damage. Especially getting the engine working a bit might cause it to overheat if the rad is only working at half capacity.

Someone on here suggested trying taking the rad out and filling it with something. Let me go and have a look .....

You might be able to get a radiator service place to flush it out but I dare say it's time for a new one

Michael

ken newbold · Post by **ken newbold** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 10:35 pm

m_2975 · Post by **m_2975** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 10:43 pm

Ahhh.... here might be your solution.

AlanS wrote:Buy a bottle of cheap white vinegar. Pour into the radiator and let soak. Then after an overnight soak, carefully pour some bi-carb of soda in there watching you don't get a shower in the process. Swirl back and forth as it foams up, then pour more bi-carb into the one open end and seal just the one end off.
The pressure generated by the foaming action forces the vinegar/bi-carb mix through the core and out the other end with a fair amount of pressure taking all the dislodged crap with it.
On a TZi radiator, I managed to get around 1/2 a cupful of crap in one hit and the car has never run cooler.
Flush out with fresh water when you've finished. Under no circumstances, seal the entire radiator off at any stage as it may just blow on you, but if the principles of backflushing are observed, you'll find it a very cheap and effective way to delouse a grotty system.

I don't know if the GTI has the same rad as the 19D. Someone else will have to answer as we don't have BX Diesels here.

Michael

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 11:51 pm

Anyone else know if the gti rad will fit the 19d?

m_2975 · Post by **m_2975** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 1:51 am

MULLEY wrote:Anyone else know if the gti rad will fit the 19d?

Take the 19D rad out (it's stuffed anyway) and compare. If it's got the ports in the same place and it's the same physical size then it will be ok.

You can even look at it in the car and compare. Make sure that the hose connections are in the same spot.

I know for sure that a 17TD rad won't fit but I'd put a bet on the GTI rad fitting in a 19D.

Does the 19D have the header tank on the side of the rad next to the LHM reservior?

EDIT: Just checked in my Valeo radiator catalogue and it SHOULD be the same rad for the 1.9D NA and the 1.9GTI. FYI the Valeo replacement part number is 883773.

Michael

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 6:29 pm

Just checked & hurrah, its the same rad as my spare one, so some good news, cheers guys...

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Sat Oct 20, 2007 5:55 pm

Just been upto Ken's, he checked my rad & actually all is well, no need to replace afterall

, so was kindly shown how to change the cam seal & do the gearbox oil.

That oil stunk something cronic, i felt myself heaving at one point.

Many thanks again ken for your help & advice & for keeping me on the road. Hope you & Henry start feeling better soon.

tim leech · Post by **tim leech** » Sat Oct 20, 2007 7:06 pm

Hoorah! welld one guys,, ken ive alays got bxs that need some loving if you always feel the need!