hi there guys
i need your help , i went out last night in the snowstorm , my scoob hadnt been run for a few days but is in a garage , i warmed her up for 5 mins like usual and set off
after about 10 mins the heater started to blow cold
then 2 mins after that my defi water temp gauge went into the red and started bleeping ( i have it set at 100 degrees )
i stopped the car straight away and sat there for a few mins i restarted the car and the water temp went up again , suddenly the heater started to blow warm again and the water temp dropped to normal
i continued home and stopped at the shop when it did it again blowing cold and the water temp going up
i live 2 mins away from the shop so i went home and parked the car up in the garage , i closed the garage door and the turbo timer was still running and i'm not sure but i think the engine could be knocking now like i said im not sure it might have been a noise due to the car being in an enlclosed space
now im stuck as i dont know whether the cars engine is knocking even if it isnt can anyone shed some light onto why the heater went dicky and the water temp going into the red
i have antifreeze in the car and water and top it up as and when it needs to but i have noticed recently that the water in the header tank isnt as full as it usually is but i have never noticed any water leaks or patches under the car
any advice is very welcome and very much appreciated

 

Head gasket(s), quite possibly.

 

mine doing the same mate and ive had it confirmed as the headgaskets so its engine out over the next month to sort it!

 

thanks for the replies guys ive just been out to start it and the engines not knocking theres no creamy gunge in the oil and the heater is blowing warm the water temp went up but didnt trigger the alarm so now im totally confused

 

Ensure the water system is full when the engine is cold, fill the header tank to the brim, and make sure there is some water visible in the overflow bottle (in front of the battery)

Drive the car to thoroughly warm it up, then give the engine a sustained period of constant boost (like up a hill in 3rd or 4th gear for approx 30 seconds)
Stop and immediately check for bubbling in the overflow bottle, while the engine is still ticking over - Obviously, do not remove the header tank cap

If the overflow is producing bubbles then the chances are that one or both Headgaskets are failing/failed.

It's not a definitive test for failed H/Gaskets, but it's a pretty clear indication.

 

is it a 2.5l?

 

Pete - I think it's a Phase1 WRX - 2.0

 

yeah mate its a 94 sti and many thanks fiestaboy i'll do what you suggested when its safe outside to give it some beans without fear of killing myself or others

 

mine just had the same problem, it was an air lock, all good now

 

hope im as lucky as you mate although probably not if i fell into a bath of **** id come out sucking my thumb

 

blocked heater matrix was ye old theory for some cars , check the pass side carpet for dampness but this theory is for a leaking heater matrix , leaking matrix can cause a small airlock and u would be down on water , if its hot and cold like u say even the water pump may be questionable ?

 

cheers mate its worth a look

 

haha nice comment