Heaters Taking a Long Time to “Get Hot”

[ben]

Ahh I saw you said did the thermostat itself get replaced - pretty sure it was a listed item on the receipt

 

[ben]

Right I tried this. Went to the toilet came back and the expansion tank is empty so probably an air lock somewhere.

Blowers were still cool but will top up and see how it goes

 

[BigJase88]

Right I tried this. Went to the toilet came back and the expansion tank is empty so probably an air lock somewhere.

Blowers were still cool but will top up and see how it goes

Sounds like you have found your issue

defo an airlock then.

suprised “master tech” never sussed it out

 

[ben]

Still blowing cold though until engine running for prolonged time at operating temps

 

[BigJase88]

Thermostat what type of stat did they put in?

shitty ones Euro Car Parts sell “circoli” can fail after a few weeks. I had this issue

i would personally myself change the thermostat with a brand new genuine part and then see how it goes.

Sounds like the stat may be stuck open

 

[ben]

It was a genuine thermostat as far as I am aware

Surely if it was stuck open on change they’d sort that out at the time?

i might have to take it back and just say the heaters aren’t working right

 

[ben]

Would the stat being open explain why some heaters are hotter than others?

 

[BigJase88]

It’s not something they would really check. Fit and assume it is correct

When you start a car from cold the thermostat should be closed so its like a closed loop the water is not circulating the radiator so heats up quickly. When at operating temperature then the stat will open and let the water flow through the radiator and the thermostat will regulate this.

you have got the air out of the system now (or i hope you have) so next logical step would be a thermostat thats stuck open.

i know it sounds crazy but dependant what type of stat they have installed they may have it fitted back to front if its just the guts that they have changed.

stat would be my next port of call


If you are still struggling i would suggest taking the car to a good volkswagen specialist. Generally those types of garage are better clued up

 

[BigJase88]

You could still have an airlock somewhere too

maybe even in the heater matrix. Worthwhile seeing where the coolant hoses go through the bulkhead and squeezing these pipes with the cap off as per previous attempt.

the fact the coolant reservoir went down indicated you did have an airlock and maybe still do.

worth checking.

 

[ben]

I’ve just taken it back to the garage and said the heaters aren’t working right. They seem to agree that air is a likely problem. I’ve left it with them

 

[BigJase88]

I’ve just taken it back to the garage and said the heaters aren’t working right. They seem to agree that air is a likely problem. I’ve left it with them

Lemme know how you get on

 

[ben]

got a message saying they checked this morning and took ages to get hot. Bled the system and then left it til afternoon, drove it and it was hot in under 2 miles.

Advised to monitor contact it ongoing - the existence of this clause means it’s not fixed I guess

they said the computers won’t read the same as it’s a JCT VW not a seat garage (not sure that’s true) but they’ve done what they can

 

[ben]

Having the diff serviced at a VAG specialist who diagnosed and fixed my fuel injectors when I sort a day for it to go in. Probably going to be a job for those guys and an extra bill for me

 

[BigJase88]

got a message saying they checked this morning and took ages to get hot. Bled the system and then left it til afternoon, drove it and it was hot in under 2 miles.

Advised to monitor contact it ongoing - the existence of this clause means it’s not fixed I guess

they said the computers won’t read the same as it’s a JCT VW not a seat garage (not sure that’s true) but they’ve done what they can

Maybe alright and just a tricky air lock. See how you get on

 

[ben]

Tech checked this morning before I collected; still taking too long. They are going to speak to manager and cover cost of getting it to seat for a mechanical flush of cooling system/ heater core which I believe would be the official way of the garden hose through the outlet.

they also say that it doesn’t read properly on their diagnostics. I wasn’t to sure but they way they said it was more convincing; that they’d expect it to read like a golf r but it isn’t apparently. Who knows!

 

[ben]

In a right pickle now - they said they’d take a look for free. Advised it was the matrix. Was ready to be collected yesterday but am now told that it’s “still not quite right” and they are sending it to Seat...

 

[RUM4MO]

I might have missed something, but is this car a Leon Cupra that has been bought used from a VW dealership, has run out of SEAT new car warranty and is now covered by a VW Used car warranty?

I'm surprised that the VW workshop diagnostic kit is any different to the SEAT workshop diagnostic kit - although the online connection will be to a different VW Group technical site, not too encouraging if there are too many differences to make VW sorting out a SEAT impossible.

But, if that car is still covered by the SEAT new car warranty, then it makes sense that any expensive workshop tasks are carried out in a SEAT workshop - maybe same if it is covered only by a VW used car warranty if the local SEAT workshop labour rate is lower than that VW workshop.

 

[ben]

Not covered by any warranty but as JCT600 VW was local and I knew someone who told me they’d get me a good service, I had no qualms going to these guys, since the platform is the same as the VW counterpart.

 

[RUM4MO]

If anyone owning any of these cars that share that platform, have had some luck/help with paying for that known issue from VW Group, it would make better sense to get a SEAT dealer to sort it out, heater matrix should be fit for use for an extended period, VW Group are once again getting off with sourcing and using cheap parts and that is not good, though having the stomach to stand up to them might not always be the easy way out - and they know this.

 

[ben]

I’ve emailed Seat customer service with the hope they might be interested in reimbursing some costs. I’ve had other expensive repair bills in past few months and the car has only done 36000 miles.

Its off to a seat dealer now anyway hopefully they are able to identify and fix the problem. It’s had a new stat and a new matrix so I’m not sure that there can be much more in the way of unexpected cost. (Note issue present before stat change).

in future it’s going to VAG specialists only..