Heater problems - head gasket implicated?

Terry Pinnell gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying:

Could suggest that the rad's blocked. Is it overheating? If the rad's blocked, probably due to poor maintenance (failure to regularly change coolant), is the matrix also blocked?

Again, could be blocked rad. EuroCarParts have rads for it for £100-150,

Is it even temp across the surface of the rad?

Any coolant loss? Any mayo on the oil filler cap? Any excess "smoke" (steam) from the exhaust? Have they done a sniffer test of the coolant to test for hydrocarbons?

ABS plus cooling probs on a car worth less than a couple of grand? Personally, I'd be inclined to cut losses and lob it on fleaBay, with MOT and the problems declared. Start it at a quid, no reserve. If it looks good enough, it'll sell well enough.

There are options between "spend a grand on it" and "spunk fifteen on a replacement", y'know...

Spend a grand on a replacement would be my preferred option.

It would only effect the heater if the pressure was forcing water out of the system so it is now too low to circulate. And would likely show other symptoms too, if that was the case.

In article , Adrian scribeth thus

Thermostat isn't wedged open is it?. Usual cause of a poor heater..

My olde Audi A6 has quite high pressure in the coolant but then again doesn't loose any ;!..

Depends on what the rest of the cars like...

It seems to me that if you do decide on keeping an older car then you need to seek out a smaller indie car repair outfit. We have one here in Cambridge who can fix most everything thrown their way but don't expect a dolly bird on reception and complementary drinks .. rather that they will tell you where the kettle is and if you want one then we do to and you can make it;)...

That's normal

Ah, well there exists this little gadget for detecting exhaust gases in the coolant,it's basically a large syringe & a bottle of detector fluid. If your garage really hasn't got one then they're not that expensive

Can of fuel, an old rag, patch of waste ground. Could be beneficial to rip out the ignition barrel with a slide hammer and make sure you have all the sets of keys nice and safe and a good alibi.

HTH