The heating stopped working and then the temp started to misb
ehave. The engine overheated and it kept stalling even with the clutch down. A fluid test on the head gaskit shows nothing and the thermostat and pump are fine. I am running out off ideas. I thought that it could be the heating matrix but my husband dosent think so. Can you help.

Shelly, December 2004

i had same trouble with my sierra 1.8l ,i found out that if u flush the whole system out with water,u need to find the two pipes going throu the bulkhead leading to the heater matrix disconnect both pipes then put a garden hose pipe on full flow u will prob find loads of sludge come out ,try it on both pipe ends to make sure it runs clear,i found lots of what looked like rad weld in there and it had blocked up the whole system,give it a go its not gonna cost u anything ,good luck

mat the fitter, March 2008

Hi Shelly
This is not a answer but my mate is having similar problems.His heating has stopped working and keeps stalling when at idle.
He took it to a garage and have told him that he has to replace the heater matrix.The price he was quoted is £200 just for the labour.You can do this your self but involves removing the dashboard which would probably take all day and guess it would'nt be easier to fit back in.The matirx itself is £18.99 which i have seen online.
On another note, the classic signs for a blown head gasket is over heating, white sludge in top of rocker cover and heater not working.
Get it checked out at your local garage to confirm this.
Good Luck and would be interesting to learn the outcome.

Mike Wood, December 2004