newbie, possible overheating

20th April 2012, 14:24

hi all collected my first saxo 97 vtr yesterday drove it 140 mile home no problems but when i took it out today the temp seems to go quite hight, upto 3/4 sits around half but keeps going up and down, checked the coolant and its at full level ive bought some more to bleed and change over the weekend, oil level is fine, also going to change filter and oil, also notied a burning smell from the heaters when on full hot, nothing there when they run on cool, and nosmell from the engine bay just when you turn the heaters up,

any ideas on what to check? im totally new to saxos, can change parts no probs but abit usless at fault finding haha

cheers lee

20th April 2012, 16:08

If someone can answer this I'd also appreciate it.... Mine sometimes sits just above the halfway mark, and the fan comes on quite loudly, then it'll drop again... Seems to do it when im sitting still, never whilst driving...

I also get a smell from the heaters, I dont know if its a burning smell, but its not a pleasant smell!

20th April 2012, 16:14

is the burning smell there all the time? I am sure one of the more mechanically minded guys will come up with a better answer but it could be dust. If the blowers havent been on for a while it could be burning the dust off? Just a thought. . .

20th April 2012, 16:15

I had a VTR that used to do this.

Then the head gasket went and it boiled over. So I changed it.

Then it was sort of did the same again, but without the boiling over or the head gasket. So I sold it.

20th April 2012, 16:15

oh and if you're changing the coolant do the thermostat too, its peace of mind.

20th April 2012, 16:36

you could test the old stat by throwing it in some water bringing it too the boil and using a thermometer determine the temp it opens, i think haynes says it should open around 88deg.C but i recently done mine on the VTS and it opened at about 92deg.c which tbh is fine as long as it opens before 100deg.C

With the coolant side when i did mine i created a header tank using an old 2litre milk bottle put it on top of the rad refill point, opened all three bleeding screws, added 2litres of coolant, started it up and kept it running whilst topping up, i found though i had to keep completely unscrewing the first bleed nipple to remove any air lock, if you leave it on loose it wouldn't remove it and you'll notice the coolant starts backing up into the header tank.

Onces coolant literally pours freely from the first nip tighten it and repeat for the next two nipples,

On the last nipple located on the rad i found you have to unscrew and pull the plastic screw out, after another two minutes fan switch starts to cut in!

20th April 2012, 18:22

cheers will do thermostat aswell

20th April 2012, 19:19

i kind of dont have the problem as my temp doesnt rise at all unless im in traffic!!! im thinking the thermo is either stuck open or it doesnt have one lol

the joys of owning a saxo

21st April 2012, 14:02

standard opening temp on a vts is 92 degrees iirc... but many fit a 88 degree one to keep temps down. for the price of £5 when changing the coolant you may as well replace the stat and flush out the engine...

your also ment to change the coolant every 4/5 years so changing it is defo worth it if its not pink/orange anymore

21st April 2012, 14:12

its most likely to be the stat.allways a good thing to replace..and a good mix of coolant as some people just put tap water in there cars witch is a real bad thing.head gasket depends on the millage of your car.they are normally good on the vtr.mine has done 115000 on the original gasket..