I've done the flush & fill, then bleed trick, having first tightned the fan belt... Whilst bleeding the heater (engine running, hose off) I blocked both the heater pipe & the tube from the bottom hose with thumbs.... almost no pressure from the water... does this sound like a feeble water pump ?
The result is still weird
Start up....drive away.
Within minutes some warmth.
Continue driving for a mile or so at 40..... almost cold air
Slow down to 25 / 30 a little warmer
Idle.... nice and toasty !!
Throughout, the temp guage never exceeds 60deg - although it runs warmer with the heater in the water cicuit than without
So people, should I bite the bullet ? New water pump, flushing chemicals and new hoses all round (I already have 3 of the hoses) ?