ySo

New Member
So I've got an overheating issue, had it in the garage and they told me the symptoms appear to be the head gasket, but they can't do that work and told me to phone a specialist.

Did that and he recommended to remove the compressor and run it without that first as he's seen that several times before restrict flow and cause the overheating. He said to try that as he wouldn't recommend replacing the head due to costs/cracked head etc etc..

If I remove the compressor (i assume that is what he means), do I need to rejoin any pipes or reroute etc before running the car without it?

Cheers
 
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I can only assume he's recommended removing the condenser as this is essentially a radiator that sits in front of your cooling system radiator.

if you remove it then you will have to have the AC system drained first (you shouldn't let the gas out as it's not eco friendly) However I don't think this will cure your problem. if you have overheating it's usually Head Gasket or thermo-cracking in the head, it's new head time, with a few tools and reading on here you should be able to do the job yourself
 
No need at all to remove the compressor, either switch the aircon off or remove the belt.
The aircon will not cause it to overheat, RAD, water pump, viscous fan, or stat will. Needs a sniff test to see if there is a head or gasket problem, if the garage cannot do a head gasket, they are not much of a garage IMO.
 
Do you have a link that explains everything I'd need to attempt it myself? I was told the head would need skimmed and everything, seems beyond my skill limit.
 
I think he was hinting more at costs being too much with regards to the value of the car which I agree with to be honest. Would be looking upwards of a grand :( ..could probably sell it as is for that and be done with it.,
 
Do you have a link that explains everything I'd need to attempt it myself? I was told the head would need skimmed and everything, seems beyond my skill limit.
The head cannot be skimmed, if it's HGF and the head is warped it's a new head. However all the other common causes of overheating need to be eliminated first.
 
The head cannot be skimmed, if it's HGF and the head is warped it's a new head. However all the other common causes of overheating need to be eliminated first.

See I do wish to fix this car, ideally myself, but not 100% how to go about it.

Viscous fan was replaced, coolant flushed and refilled. Stat/pump not changed though.
 
See I do wish to fix this car, ideally myself, but not 100% how to go about it.

Viscous fan was replaced, coolant flushed and refilled. Stat/pump not changed though.
Pump & stat are common failure items as is the RAD. I'd check those out first. If it's a keeper, worth changing all those items, make sure any new RAD has the centre baffle in the header (search for more info) also check that any new stat works by immersing it in boiling water before fitting.
 
Pump & stat are common failure items as is the RAD. I'd check those out first. If it's a keeper, worth changing all those items, make sure any new RAD has the centre baffle in the header (search for more info) also check that any new stat works by immersing it in boiling water before fitting.

+1 Can't stress this enough!!

also make sure your stat (when you buy a new one) has a bypass on it and locate this the correct way round!
 
The garage are talking bollocks. An operating air con compressor does load engine, but should not cause overheat if all else is well. When the air con is switched off it has little effect. Blocked condensor could cause some overheat if it is restricting air flow through the radiator. Heads on these cannot be skimmed and if the garage can't change the head gasket i would suggest you go to a different garage, they are bloody useless.
 
don't know what the bypass is or how to locate it lol, I am very much new to these cars and diy on cars in general, but want to try myself.
 
I take it the viscous fan needs removing to get the pump off so I'd need a special tool for that? Does the radiator need removing?
 
Before you buy it, remove and check the old one also remove the water pump, the plastic impeller has a habit of either breaking up or slipping on the shaft. You can run without the stat for the purpose of checking if the car still overheats.

True, no point paying for new parts if the old ones work

here's the bypass
 
Think this is all beyong me, fixing cars is beyond me unless there is a good guide.

For example, not sure how to remove the water pump and stat, how to release tension on the belt etc etc :(
 
I take it the viscous fan needs removing to get the pump off so I'd need a special tool for that? Does the radiator need removing?
You need a fan removal spanner, 32mm I think, Wammers will know for sure. Can be done with the RAD in place but a good idea to remove and check the RAD at the same time making sure the baffle is in place with the marble tast.
 

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