guy fawkes

Many thanks, would appreciate that. The 'sniff' test showed nothing but I'm told that may be because the crack is too small but it could open up when the engine temp goes over a certain point and I do find that the coolant loss fluctuates and after giving the engine a good burst there is gurgling coming from the rad head / expansion tank area !

For some time I have been having coolant problems including some loss and it may be caused by a cracked head. I have been advised to try "K seal" https://www.kseal.com/uk/products/k-seal-ultimate and wondered if anyone has any experience with this product. Appreciate any advice thanks.

Many thanks Harry and for the link. This doesn't sound like a 'head' problem to you then ? The matrix is only 18 months old, would it really get clogged up this quickly and I see references to distilled water, is that necessary ?

Hello Harry, thanks, it seems the more I ask the more reasons appear :o) Could you explain exactly what needs flushing with a hosepipe, not the whole cooling system ?

Have just this minute checked and all coolant is still there. I do appreciate you taking this time and trouble and yes, it does sound reasonable to expect coolant loss which isn't happening. This matrix problem was April 2015 and the heater was working fine last winter, not something you notice until it actually stops of course, but would it have taken this long to show up ? My immediate concern is a long drive ahead for New Year and I'd hate for it to break down 1/2 way up the M1

Well, all I can say is that I suddenly noticed the windows steaming up and then got off the motorway and managed to pull off the road after about 1/4 mile or so. It obviously overheated to the extent that the windows were misting up when they shouldn't have.

Sorry, missed your last bit. Yes, the temperature gauge appears normal, it may just minutely below the halfway mark but that may be my imagination, it is always steady at the same level. The heater matrix 'blew up' about a week after I'd had the car, about 1/4 mile away from the motorway junction, luckily not in the middle of the motorway.

Yes, that does seem to be the problem, unfortunately I'm also having trouble with Paypal, just not my day !! I don't know why they think that but I would feel happier if I could resolve this heating issue then at least I would know they were wrong. Yes, the coolant is full when cold.

Still trying to find my way round this thread, my third reply !! Yes, they have all been checked and are working correctly, unfortunately I don't have permission to see your link.

Yes, they have all been checked and are apparently working as they should. Sorry, but for some reason I don't have permission to open up your link.

Yes, those have been checked and all apparently working as they should. I'm afraid for some reason I can't see the link, I don't have permission or something

Hello Dunk, many thanks for such a quick response. I am not losing any coolant and yes, there is a proper expansion tank and the radiator was replaced at around the same time as the matrix. I'm not sure what you mean by 'control rod' but the garage which I normally use tells me that they have checked everything, all flaps are operational and there is no air in the system, input and output pipes under the bonnet are hot and they think it's either a head gasket or warped head. Which I hope it's NOT !! as you can imagine. I have even changed the heating sensor behind the dash although this was out of a write off and so isn't new but still the same, air is certainly not reaching the right temperature.

Hello Dnk, I have still not had any success with this and would appreciate it if you could have a look. I am near Coventry. All I can tell you about the matrix is that it was replaced April 2015 , I assume my garage got it from their Toyota suppliers and I was charged £230 for the unit.