car repair, radiator not getting warm

1. martint2k7 Newbie Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 11

   #1 26th January 2008, 10:07

   hi, im in the process of fixing a car thats been in a front ender, i have replaced the thermostat housing because it cracked, i have fitted a new radiator, but i havnt yet got a fan for it, just to test there was no leaks i started the car for a few mins, but noticed the radiator wasnt getting warm but the engine was, is this anything to do with the fan not being there, or could it be the thermostat in the thermo housing thats a bit broke?
   
   any answers would be helpful.
   
   thanks
   martin
2. craig-d Infrequent Poster Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 214

   #2 26th January 2008, 10:10

   have you bled the system?
3. martint2k7 Newbie Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 11

   #3 26th January 2008, 10:14

   i am presuming the system was bone dry, the bottom radiator hose has been off the car along with the radiator and engine thermo housing, would i need to dso something else to bleed it mate?
4. KamRacing Saxperience Addict Joined: Nov 2006 A farm shed in Aylesbury Posts: 14916 Corolla AE86 Peugeot 205 B18C (in bits)

   #4 26th January 2008, 10:19

   you need to make sure that there isn't an airlock in the system
5. craig-d Infrequent Poster Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 214

   #5 26th January 2008, 10:28

   before you fill the system up open the bleed valve on top of the left hand side of the radiator and there is one on the thermostat housing and one on the pipe that goes to the heater matix then fill up the system and you should see water bubbles from the valves you have opened then run the car with the heaters on full and watch the valves eventually water should start coming from the valves and thats when you close them starting at the thermostat then the radiator then the last one on the water pipes if it doesnt start getting warm then its must be the thermostat
6. martint2k7 Newbie Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 11

   #6 26th January 2008, 10:39

   jus done that now mate, the water gets to the thermostat then wont go to the radiator, ive jus took the thermo out to check it, but its a new one?
7. craig-d Infrequent Poster Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 214

   #7 26th January 2008, 11:13

   put some boiling water in a bowl and put the thermostat in it to see if its opening but sound like thermostat to me
8. pepper953 Established Member Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 1280

   #8 26th January 2008, 14:39

   if you only running for a short time eng will get warm, rad wont till your themostat starts to open
9. martint2k7 Newbie Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 11

   #9 26th January 2008, 14:56

   yeah its all good its jus the car wasnt hot enough for the thermo to open haha, silly me, anyone know where i can get a cheap mk2 vtr rad fan? the one with the grille on it