Heating Not Working Properly

[crapday]

The heating in my diesel 1.6 C5 has a problem and I thing it might be the thermostat. The car fails to heat up unless I idle for a while but once I put the heating on the hot air turns cold after a while and the temp gauge drops again. I cant remember where the needle should sit on the temp gauge but mine sits about a quarter [or lower] of the way up.

 

The car used to heat up rather quickly. Is the thermostat easy to replace on the C5.

[paul.h]

Sounds like the thermostat is stuck open or opening too soon. See if the radiator top hose warms up with the engine if it is opening too soon or waits until the engine is hot.

[Randombloke]

The heating in my diesel 1.6 C5 has a problem and I thing it might be the thermostat. The car fails to heat up unless I idle for a while but once I put the heating on the hot air turns cold after a while and the temp gauge drops again. I cant remember where the needle should sit on the temp gauge but mine sits about a quarter [or lower] of the way up.

 

The car used to heat up rather quickly. Is the thermostat easy to replace on the C5.

 

It does not look difficult, but it seems best to get a Haynes manual. It says that the thermostat is integral with the coolant outlet housing at the left hand end of the cylinder head.

 

It seems like the plastic engine cover, battery and battery tray will need to be removed, and the coolant will have to be drained. The outlet will need to be unbolted and then you have the thermostat.

 

Sounds to me like it's sticking open.

[crapday]

Cheers guys. Thats what I though, just needed reassurance before I got a new one.

 

I'm on my way down to start the car and see if the hoses heat up as the car warms up (I never thought of that).