PHEWW The Heater

hi alec 

hi alec. I have a similar problem which I have not investigated it ( i have posted on the forum on this problem and I have planned to do mine in the summer ) . how intermittent did your system work before you started the work ?.. As a temp measure I have clamped off the feeder pipes on the engine side of the bulk head , which just lets a trickle through just enough to keep the cabin warm. I seem to remember seeing a post referring to an airlock which was cured by squeezing the feeder pipes and shaking the valve .? let us know how you get on . regards brendan

Brens, It was working, but only luke warm at best, just enough to keep the screen clear of fogging up on a cold day, but never enough to get the cabin really comfortable. Working brilliantly now, just that I am reluctant to turn the temperature control down too much in case the original problem might somehow have been related to the valve sticking. I'm controlling the cabin temp on air flow throuogh the screen/side vents and the footwell vents, and using the cool/warm control for the two middle dash vents. I'll be braver next time out and see if the temp control water valve will close (I know it closes) and more importantly open again. If thats gorn, it'll have to be a new/ scrappy one. The thing that really surprised me was the fact that I only got an eggcup full of water from the matrix when I disconnected the hoses, which begs the question 'was it airlocked?'

I will have to try this with my 240's heater again as mine has a poor heat output as soon as the weather turns cold. I renewed the thermostat last year and the engine is soon at its correct temperature, but the heater is not very warm at all. the pipes leading to the heater at the bulkhead are'nt very hot after a run either.

Hmmm ... you've got me thinking now! Which is very rare so very dangerous! I replaced my radiator last weekend ... I took the opportunity to flush the block out too. I rebuilt and refilled the system ... there appear to be no leaks, the engine does not overheat and the heater seems to push out an "OK" amount of hot air. However, the system did not take the amount of fluid I expected it to? It took about 7.5 litres? Also, I expected once the engine got hot, for the fluid level in the expansion tank to drop once the thermostat opened ... it didn't? Do you think I too could have an airlock and/or a thermostat problem? Thanks, Tim

Been thinking ... again! Is there a seperate bleed system for the heater matrix or is it all meant to "self-bleed" together? Tim

I'll try the cap off squeezy-squeezy approach! Still a bit concerned about the thermostat ... though the engine is not overheating. Might replace it anyway ... I don't have to drain the whole system just for the thermostat do I? I guess I'll just lose the fluid in the top hose? Tim