I've just had a new engine put in my series II (1.9ZVH) and had it out over the last 2 days. I've noticed that the temperature has been sitting on about three quarters, the two fans ive got on are coming in ok but the car has been getting really hot - tonight on the way into town i noticed steam coming out of the bonnet and two leaking pipes. The pipes were solid and really hot, took the header tank cap off and it all bubbled over - the heaters inside arent chucking no warm air out either. Any theories??? I've had the head gasket checked today and it was fine, could it be an air lock???? If so how do i get rid?

 

1.9 zvh? a bored out 1.8 zetec bottom end?

Think you might mean 1.9cvh?

 

Yeah its a 1.8 zetec bottom end

 

Headgasket even though uve had it checked hard pipes point to this!

As for reasons for over-heating...take ur pick;
Faulty thermostat
Air lock
Headgasket
water pump(not sure how to check this)
low water level split pipes

u say some pipes have split then the water could've pissed out and thats why theres not heat from ur vents

 

Hard pipes and no heater inside car tells me you,ve got an air lock in the coolant system,needs bleeding before youre headgasket goes pop.

 

Don't wanna be patronising but did you check integrity of the block when it was fitted? cracked block causes overheating

But most likely an airlock, let it run with the header tank cap off and you'll start seeing bubbles as the air escapes.

 

posabully a blocked heater matrix is the cause as to y u dont have hotair in the cab when the heater is on but does sound like a airlock. are u loosing coolent at all ? and have u checked the thermostat ?