Squeeze the hoses they should me firm and not bulge, you can also after you flush it, take the cap off, and then you will see it bubbles up (air coming out) as it warms up, it will push the air out, when it stops the bubbling the air is out and replace the cap, don't forget to put antifreeze back in to it 50% antifreeze, 50% water, there's 2 types, long term (about 5 years with inhibiter's in it) and the other lasts about 2 years, you don't ever have to change the stuff but the corrosion inhibitors do stop working at there best after that time, red is the 5 year stuff and the yellow one is the 2 year (in general that is, check the label) get concentrate too, its a lot cheaper and mix it yourself, you don't have to mix it as such just add as you think its about 50%

Our p38 heater is a bit marginal. As above, it's crap on auto, but ok at 26C manual. It's a 2.5 Diesel, 2001

Thing is, the coolant temperature gauge only just gets above the blue sector. Is this normal?

OXO said:

Our p38 heater is a bit marginal. As above, it's crap on auto, but ok at 26C manual. It's a 2.5 Diesel, 2001

Thing is, the coolant temperature gauge only just gets above the blue sector. Is this normal?

Click to expand...

Sounds like the thermostat is shot, guage should be mid way. Not doing your engine or consumption good either:doh:

Does the HVAC system work better on manual then?,

OXO said:

Our p38 heater is a bit marginal. As above, it's crap on auto, but ok at 26C manual. It's a 2.5 Diesel, 2001

Thing is, the coolant temperature gauge only just gets above the blue sector. Is this normal?

Click to expand...

Our 99 2.5 dse is the same, I took the viscous fan off a couple of weeks ago to see if it would warm up quicker, and it's only marginally better. I have just flushed the cooling system on my Landy 200tdi with Forte cooling system flush and topped it up with fresh coolant and Forte cooling system conditioner, It warms up a hell of alot faster now and never overheated whilst towing people through the snow, I'm going to do the same to the P38 after crimbo.

r.rover said:

Does the HVAC system work better on manual then?,

Click to expand...

On manual you make the temperature decision based on how hot/cold you feel, on Auto the computer makes the temperature decision based on what it thinks is cabin temperature. If any of the sensors are dodgy like the little fan assisted one in the dash then what it does aint necessarily what you want.