Rubbish Sierra Heater

[danburger28]

Hi all.
I recently bought a 'H' registered Sierra DOHC Ghia Est to replace my GT. All seems pretty good, apart from the heater is RUBBISH!Not great at this time of year.Ive had a few of these, and this is the first one to have a problem, although I have heard of them having problems.
Any ideas?
The engine temp gauge never goes off the 'cold' part of the gauge.Even leaving to run, or driving two hundred miles at motorway speeds, it didn't get above quarter ish of the gauge.
If I changed the termostat, would that help?
Also, might be unrelated, but when it was idling the other day, I squeezed the top hose to the rad, and it almost stalled the engine untill I let go.Only a second or two?Water seems a bit grotty, not had chance to change it yet.But it doesn't look really bad.
Any ideas welcome please.

[cobblers]

It does sound like your stat is either missing or stuck open. Drop the water, give the whole system a good flush through and fit a new stat and it'll probably be sorted.

[Robinxr4i]

A Sierra heater matrix is much money even a Valeo one isn't much more than £25 brand new from a motor factor, like Cobblers says flush the system to start with and see how it goes.

I'd say the cool running isn't a problem both my pinto and twink, ran real cool you'd struggle to get the temp guage 1/3 of the way up. The twinks head gasket had gone too!

I squeezed the top hose to the rad, and it almost stalled the engine untill I let go

This sounds more worrying though?? Does the engine use water?

[bortaf]

I'd change the stat and flush it first. running an engine too cold isnt good for it, oil wont work propperly and it will use more fuel, while it's empty run a hose at low pressure through the heater rad in both directions till it runs clear, if possable keep the origional heater matrix A cos they are loads better than the new valeo ones and B they are a pain to change
I'f that lot doesn't sort the low temp concider a new sender in the head for the gauge

[danburger28]

Cheers!Knew I could rely on you guys! ;D Ill flush and change the stat.
Robin-Doesn't use any water that Ive noticed.Bit wierd how it did that.Otherwise it runs great.

[rodney]

if its the matrix thats blocked , put a hose pipe on one heater pipe for 10 mins, then the other for 10 mins , then repeat a few times , done this on a escort van and got some heat!!,.

[danburger28]

Nice one, cheers!