Temperature and heater issues

[P R]

Cold weather last week unearthed a niggle with my heater. Basically I warm the car on "Hi" usually before switching it to Auto. When I now put it on hi it gives me hot air at first then it drops the temp to a luke warm. This morning it then gave me hot air again at times but was very sporadic.
I also noticed the other morning the engine hadnt started to warm up, then suddenly jumped to the first bar... and this morning the temp of the engine went up above 90 (never seen that before) then went down under 90 for a bit.

I am guessing the 2 are related? Seems a coincidence that they would both happen at the same time??

 

[safrane]

Sticking thermostat would be my guess.

 

[P R]

Sticking thermostat would be my guess.

Engine thermostat? I thought that and I guess that would effect the heater temps?

 

[Oneball]

Check the coolant level and water pump too

 

[P R]

So I checked the water and it was quite far down (still had a level in the expansion tank, but took a litre to get to min).

This morning all behaved as it should. Hopefully that was it but on the mornings I noticed it it was just below or around freezing, this morning on Teesside it was a balmy 4C so will see when its cold again.

I will also carefully check water levels over the next few days to see if there is a leak somewhere or it has always been on the low side..

 

[Oneball]

Fingers crossed.

 

[davy83]

yes if you have lost all that coolant, the question is where did it go! keep an eye on it for sure. check the oil for any milky deposits, and put some cardboard under the car when you park it ( assuming its in a garage or somewhere with a reasonably flat and dry floor. Also worth stopping when the car is properly warm and open the bonnet, leave the engine running and have a look for leaks or steam.

 

[davy83]

oh and I should have mentioned the obvious statement that the suggestions that the thermostat is on the blink may explain all of this, as it would have possibly overheated and blown water out with the thermostat stuck closed, explaining where the coolant went.

 

[P R]

oh and I should have mentioned the obvious statement that the suggestions that the thermostat is on the blink may explain all of this, as it would have possibly overheated and blown water out with the thermostat stuck closed, explaining where the coolant went.

Thanks for the assistance. First time I noticed it was driving to work in the snow, plenty on the front and on the scuttle panel where the heater intake is.. Havent seen any obvious signs of water leaking or steam anywhere (or residues where it might have come out previously)

 

[conaero]

Has the car been serviced recently, sounds like air in the coolant system.

 

[P R]

Has the car been serviced recently, sounds like air in the coolant system.

March last year it was serviced by Maserati. Havent seen any issues since.

I have read (Keith amongst others) about actuators going etc.. but with this being intermittant I dont know how feasable that is. Whatever it is (if anything) it needs sorting by March as thats when the warranty runs out

 

[conaero]

I have replaced a couple of actuators they do go. Don’t buy the Maserati ones, I have a fiat number that are cheap and the same part. PM me

 

[P R]

I have replaced a couple of actuators they do go. Don’t buy the Maserati ones, I have a fiat number that are cheap and the same part. PM me

OK will do if it comes to that, thanks

Still behaving as normal since the water top up..

 

[philw696]

OK will do if it comes to that, thanks

Still behaving as normal since the water top up..

Get the cooling system pressure tested to see if you have a potential issue as you will have if the pressure drops.

 

[P R]

Think I'm getting somewhere. Got home tonight... all temps and heaters still working as they should.
Popped the bonnet on arriving home and there was a slight hissing noise and there appears to be a small leak in the join on the expansion tank. Not much but would explain the very slow depletion of the coolant. Will try and get a pic / vid tomorrow

Sent from my SM-G980F using Tapatalk

 

[philw696]

Think I'm getting somewhere. Got home tonight... all temps and heaters still working as they should.
Popped the bonnet on arriving home and there was a slight hissing noise and there appears to be a small leak in the join on the expansion tank. Not much but would explain the very slow depletion of the coolant. Will try and get a pic / vid tomorrow

Sent from my SM-G980F using Tapatalk

A pressure test will confirm that.

 

[P R]

Deffo the culprit. You can see the bubble if you zoom in and the coolant on the red bodywork below. This was taken with the engine on

Sent from my SM-G980F using Tapatalk

 

[Oneball]

Hopefully under warranty?

 

[P R]

It is... though knowing Maserati it will be wear and tear

Sent from my SM-G980F using Tapatalk

 

[P R]

After topping it up again it lost around 1.5 litres in 100 miles so I called dealer today and Used Maserati assist. Car was collected and a Toyota corolla hybrid later delivered


Sent from my SM-G980F using Tapatalk