MX5Ireland

My heating isn’t working properly, it gets warm but never hot. Also I've noticed a gurgling sound coming from the engine, generally only when starting in the morning.

Any ideas?


g

You have lost coolant and it is now not full.

How do I check the coolant level?

Erm, look in the top of the radiator.

Top it up with 1/3 to 1/5 antifreeze and the rest water, deionised battery water if you have it. But also look to see if you are loosing water.

You will probably need to top up the expansion tank as well.

I checked that this morning, the rad isn’t full, it’s about an inch below the top, the rad water is very brown in colour. Should I top it up with just coolant as there is already water in it?

g

if its brown it might be a good time to give the rad a flush while you are at it, drain the old stuff by taking out the plug under the rad here :


Disconnect top rad hose and put your garden hose into it + run until the water coming out is clear. Refit rad hose + plug, fill rad + overflow bottle to the mark with coolant. Let the car idle up to normal temp then cool completely to "burp" it, then top up if needed.

If you want to completely flush the system, stick the garden hose in the bottom rad hose which goes into the block instead.

Steve

Thanks everyone...

g