Car too cold

ppwoodsy · 13 May 2004, 14:24 (Ref:969912)

Wierd topic to talk about today,

My "significant others" car (Ford KA - not mine) will not produce any heat after warming up at all.

I know its summer almost, but I live in South Wales and it can be chilly up those valleys you know!

Any ideas? :confused:

TimD · 13 May 2004, 14:28 (Ref:969919)

In all seriousness, have a look at the coolant level! I had a 98 Corsa which refused to blow anything but iced air if the engine coolant was under a certain mark.

ppwoodsy · 13 May 2004, 14:30 (Ref:969922)

Thought I had done, shall have a look when I get back. Cheers for quick reply

blackx · 13 May 2004, 23:23 (Ref:970406)

Perhaps an air lock in the cooling system could be your problem also...
My wife also has a Ka and the heater melts you even when the car is not up to maximum temp....

Morris 1100 · 18 May 2004, 07:03 (Ref:974054)

Move to Australia...

Or you could change the thermostat.

**BertMk2** · 18 May 2004, 08:12 (Ref:974092)

Thermostat would be my guess - I had a similar thing on my old Nova, a new thermostat cured the problem.

**Tim Falce** · 18 May 2004, 11:03 (Ref:974210)

I have a Corsa and the heater matrix gets blocked with crud form the coolant system. I have to undo a couple of pipes and stick the garden hose down it to back wash it. Not sure if the Ka has a similar setup but there is a bypass hose that has to be clamped shut to do this.

Morris 1100 · 18 May 2004, 11:44 (Ref:974245)

The first thing to look at is the temperature guage, if it is too low then it could be the thermostat, if it is about normal it could be a blocked heater core (or a cable fallen off the heater tap or a million other things)

blackx · 19 May 2004, 00:45 (Ref:975015)

Only problem is the Ka does not have a temp gauge......Just a low water warning light

DAVID PATERSON · 25 May 2004, 08:20 (Ref:982274)

Quote:

Originally posted by blackx
Only problem is the Ka does not have a temp gauge......Just a low water warning light

There are so very many things wrong with this, i don't know where to start.

**garcon** · 25 May 2004, 10:56 (Ref:982402)

OK, I'll start for you David... It's a Ford. There ye go!

DAVID PATERSON · 25 May 2004, 23:17 (Ref:983186)

A warning light instead of a guage says so much about the target market.

blackx · 25 May 2004, 23:55 (Ref:983214)

Quote:

A warning light instead of a guage says so much about the target market.

Especially as the car in question is driven by someone with Australian Nationality

DAVID PATERSON · 26 May 2004, 02:10 (Ref:983321)

Actually, no they were a huge flop over here and very few were sold. The target market all bought Hyundais instead.

BlueBlood · 26 May 2004, 02:35 (Ref:983334)

I understand a courier company has a fleet of them in one of the main cities in Australia.

blackx · 26 May 2004, 08:16 (Ref:983502)

Actually yes..............My wife has one and also has Australian Nationality

StuiE · 26 May 2004, 12:58 (Ref:983815)

Quote:

Originally posted by DAVID PATERSON
There are so very many things wrong with this, i don't know where to start.

I agree, I'm always keeping an eye on my temp, couldnt do without it. I had another intstrument cluster in my car for a few days cos it had a voltmeter and oil pressure guage added to the other regualar gauges, but the temp guage didnt work, so it came out as soon as I had time. Not having a temp guage is just poor, do they still have a drum rear end? Thats poor too.

blackx · 26 May 2004, 23:41 (Ref:984546)

They do have drum brakes on the rear..........Why is this a bad thing???

They are designed as a town car and as such are not intended to be driven at great speeds and therefore do not need the superior stopping power of disc brakes on the rear...

Constant under bonnet checks,which should be undertaken by motorists whatever car they drive,are all that is needed to keep an eye on oil and water consumption but in the two and a half years since it has been built it has needed neither oil or water.....

DAVID PATERSON · 27 May 2004, 01:07 (Ref:984583)

The people who buy these cars tend not to do constant under bonnet checks, that's the problem.

blackx · 27 May 2004, 23:19 (Ref:985582)

As a mechanic my under bonnet checks are regular and stringent....

DAVID PATERSON · 28 May 2004, 02:13 (Ref:985664)

Quote:

Originally posted by blackx
As a mechanic my under bonnet checks are regular and stringent....

The prepurchase inspection can't have been too stringent or you would have noticed that bloody awful Kent lump under the bonnet.

blackx · 28 May 2004, 08:57 (Ref:985880)

Nothing wrong with the old kent engine.....just ask any formula Ford driver.....Its easy to maintain.....reliable and perfect for a town car....
It has 4 too few cylinders by some peoples estimation but hey.............There's no accounting for taste is there?

Bluebottle · 30 May 2004, 21:13 (Ref:988643)

Quote:

Originally posted by blackx
Nothing wrong with the old kent engine.....just ask any formula Ford driver.....Its easy to maintain.....reliable and perfect for a town car....
It has 4 too few cylinders by some peoples estimation but hey.............There's no accounting for taste is there?

The Kent has been a faithful workhorse for many many years in the kit-car world and is virtually indestructable- the 1300 in my Dutton Sierra was still a runner when we took it out to fit the 1600 in spite of being worn beyond belief and having no oil.... but it is surprising to find it in the Ka, as for 4 too few cylinders, a V8 in a Ka? almost as daft as a 5.7l V8 in a Dutton!!

My 1965 Land Rover had no temp gauge.

DAVID PATERSON · 31 May 2004, 02:30 (Ref:988812)

Honestly, the Kent isn't a bad old thing, I'm just surprised to see it in a modern car. How do you reckon a Ka would go with a Lotus T/C head and twin Webers?

Bluebottle · 31 May 2004, 20:47 (Ref:989607)

not very well !!

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