Water temp', steam, water level??

[BigA]

OK, got an odd one here for all you experienced folk.

this started happening a week or so ago. The disco used to take a fair run before the temperature gauge registered at normal operating temperature, but now only need to do about half a mile. In addition to this, if i put the heater on now, i get steam from the vents (only if its coldish outside) and if i check the water level after a run, the water tank is almost empty. when i check the level when cold, the water tank is at normal level? I can also smell radiator water when driving, but do not seem to be losing any?

i suspect the heater matrix  :( but not getting any water in the footwells, and the water level issue seems a bit strange.

Any clues or suggestions please (other than scrapping it  :lol: ) will be greatly appreciated as always.

Cheers,

Andy

[Yoshi]

I could be very wrong, but every time i have smelt coolant in the cab area its been head gasket failure.

[landroverkeith]

I could be very wrong, but every time i have smelt coolant in the cab area its been head gasket failure.

so every landrover ya owned then......  ;)  :P

[BigA]

If it was the head gasket, wouldn't i have loss of power, water in my oil, and be noticing the loss of water more?

[carracarra13]

not neserly, I had a head gasket go on a tdi and all was as normal excpt over heating, and steeming up in the cab but I changed the sta first (cheepest first )as I had herd this can also cause the same problems as you discribed, if you remove the oil filler cap is there any what can only be discribed as mayo inside the cap if so head gasket is more likely

[BigA]

OK, just had a look at the oil filler cap, and looks ok, normal state, just oil (needs changing) and as far as i can tell there is no blowing from the back of the block.

may whip out the thermostat tomorrow and see what happens then?

[landroverkeith]

good luck andy hope everythings ok

[Frankie-Boy]

PM sent.

[BigA]

PM sent.

PM Received  ;)

OK, i have located the heater matrix drain hoses as explained by Frank, and found them to be completely solid with mud right upto the heater matrix  :-k so cleared them out. Also removed the thermostat as it looks a bit iffy, the center rubber is all cracked.

Left it running for a fair old while, got up to temp, and the heater actually cleared the windscreen rather than steamed it up. Will see how it is on a run out tomorrow.

Cheers for now.

[BigA]

Just a quick update. Been out for about 6 hours today, and no steam or heat problems. Looks like the steam from the heater was as Frank suggested and due to the blocked drain hoses from the heater matrix.

Fingers crossed all sorted now.

Cheers

Andy

[Range Rover Blues]

What about the header tank thing then?

[BigA]

What about the header tank thing then?

the header tank level seems to be staying level OK now, but it has only been a few days so i am keeping an eye on it?

[carracarra13]

nice one m8 Im glad you sorted