Okay, so i changed the reservoir out, hooked everything back up the way it was supposed to be. filled the tank and started the truck. Let it idle for a while, bled it till i could see that fluid was moving throughout. I noticed some bubbling going on in the bottom of the reservoir, like gases coming in. the temp gauge isnt working since i disconected a sensor and couldnt get it back on, but i only let it run for like ten mins and then shut it off. i tried to restart the car and it wouldnt come on. it turned over but wouldnt start? now what?

 

I'm really starting to fear that i bought a lemon here. Love the vehicle, and would love if it worked, but my knowledge here is fairly limited.

 

What does the oil on your dipstick look like?
Is the level higher than the full mark?

 

I'll have to check later, but what would that mean? I know the oil doesn't look as if any coolant is in there. Just looks like regular oil.

 

Also, after sitting for a bit, the vehicle started back up.

 

That's what I was getting at. If it looked milky that would be a sign of coolant in there. Also if coolant was leaking in it would raise the level on the dipstick and make it look like it was over filled.

Normal is good.

 

There does seem to be gases getting into the reservoir though. Makes the voolant in there all frothy. Is that a head gasket thing or a block thing? I can't afford a new engine, I can afford to replace the head gasket. I'll just buy the stuff and fix it myself with my uncle who is a mechanic. But I don't know if that's the deal exactly. Also, I have no great coming out of the heater. The fan is working, and I don't see any leaks anywhere. And the fluid has started the same level since replacing the reservoir.

 

I know everybody seems opposed to the whole "canned sealant" stuff but the guy at the auto parts store mentioned one that you run through for like 15 minutes and then you flush the system. Allowing it to fill in where needed but not messing everything else up in the process. Any thoughts on such a thing?

 

Good day. Please Post the results on account of I have the same problem. ( i think )

I am going to flush out the heater by shooting a garden hose into the engine side firewall connection.

No gasses in my reservoir have been noticed.

 

Well..I got mine working. After blowing out the heater with a garden hose,
I had to retop the reservoir. I did, as suggested, do it with engine running and lid off.

Took it for a drive ( it always takes a long time to heat up with this little 300TDi ), and still no heat. Then the heat gage went WAY up. So, I pulled off the road and tried to limp it back home. All the time having the heater fan on high. Then - to my absolute delight - the heat came on and the temp on the gage dropped to a bit less than half.

I don't really know why the heat went way up. Air blockage i am guessing.
Suggest you drive a bit ( 2 miles max ) after filling reservoir to let it purge itself.

( BUT, I might not if my heat gage wasn't working at all....)