Hello , was wondering if anyone can help. The heating in my car is being a bit temperamental - will suddenly go cold or not get very hot at all in the first place , even though the dial is on the hottest temp setting! A friend at work suggested that it might be to do with my coolant. Does anyone know stuff like this and if so any ideas?

Thanks , Kate

Kate,
     It could be the coolant or the Heater coil.  Get it check out fast.  Antifreeze is lethal to dogs!  If it spills and the drink it they can die!  Check to make sure the car is not leaking.

pretty sure there is no leak as i park in the same place every day and have not seen any sign of a leak. If i top up my coolant is it anti freeze i use and if so where do i put it? (don't really know much about cars , as you've probably guessed already!! )

The matrix in the heater could've gone.  It happened to me with my Skoda.    A trawl around the scrapyard and I found a matrix there and had it fitted, the heat was wonderful after!

Have someone check your antifreeze level. Its a 2 mimute job. A local mechanic can do this.  I have just changed all the coolent in both my cars to be on the safe side. It could be your thermostat or as someone else said heater matrix. I would rule out the easy items first as the heater matrix is a swine to do on some cars.

It is worth keeping in mind that on some makes this issue could be a warning sign that your head gasket might be a problem.................

Hi Kate

Please do not remove the radiator cap if you've just used the car as this can be very dangerous and you could end up burning yourself as the steam vents out.

It could be a number of things and really the best way is to allow a garage to look at it and to see what they find and quote. You can then decide how to play it from there. Sometimes little problems when left create a larger one so it might be better to be safe than sorry.

I had similar happen to a BMW and it turned out to be a leak in the head gasket (3 year old!!!) which leaked water into number one cylinder and a side gasket popped as well due to the build up of pressure. Thankfully covered by warranty :)

I would also think if you had a leak the engine temperature gauge would be showing a hotter temp than normal and you would notice a drop in your fluid level. Check your owners handbook which will show you your engine bay and all the check points for oil, water and so on. Remember to check your dash warning lights to see if they show a fault as well as most have warning lights of some kind (slim chance but worth looking).

I just feel the safest way is for a mechanic to have a peep.


Regards
Stu

i had the same problem in my old P reg punto-the head gasket had blown :(

I think it's most probably your thermostat that is knackered!