only getting very slight heat from the heater

[weazgti]

touch the pipes going to heater matrix and see if they re hot.
check out rubjonnys coolant section.

[Nokey]

I had a friend who had a similar problem and his coolant level was low. A friend honest!

[Simeon]

It'll be the bypass valves (the cylindrical things in the pipes just before they join the matrix engine bay side). Take them off and replace with two pieces of 22mm copper pipe, or if you are anal like rubjonny get some mk3 pipes as these are complete without the cuts for the valves. Whilst you're doing it flush the heater matrix by putting a hose up the bottom pipe and letting it flow through and out the top pipe for a while. Also check the system is topped up properly as suggested above.

[lewis1641]

try running up to temp. *important* disconect the plug to the fan. stick you hand throught the fan. is the radiator hot? same heat all over?  if not could be an airlock/blockage.

touch the pipe at the top of the rad. it should be hot and pressurised.  now toucht he pipe at the bottom of the rad going to (from??) the waterpump. should feel the same. if not either faulty water pump or thermostat. that's as far as i got with mine. it was thermostat.

matrix is on the way though - car smells of coolant. i thought that was just the smell of a mk2

[clipperjay]

Have you replaced the thermostat check the bottom pipe off the water pump when hot see if all the pipes are hot if one part is colder it would be faulty thermostat