Heater motor... - Are the switches just there for show?

J

J1MMY

New Member
This is more of a gripe than a question - I'm terrible for oversleeping and simply don't have time to wait for the heater to not do much at all :laugh: , has the rover become my new alarm clock?

On a serious note, is this just the way they are? Is there anything that can be or has anyone modded these for effiency? I've carried out loom mods before for bad front lights on older VW's, am wondering if I can do the same to get this motor working. This would depend if the wiring simply goes around the houses before getting to the heater, or is more likely just worn out?
 
Jimmy

I'm not sure I understand your question. Are you saying that the heater is slow in producing heat, or that the fan doesn't come on or is too weak?
Not enough heat can be the thermostat, or a plugged heater core
The fan is easily disassembled, cleaned and oiled and can be brought back up to speed
...then there are those sliding controls....
I have brought my rusted out heater box back to life, but it wasn't easy. In fact, the engine rebuild was easier.

Dick West
 
Short answer is Yes! The fan is notoriously weak. Important therefore to make sure everything else is OK!

Dick has given you a big clue. No 1 enemy of heater performance is the heater box rusting out. Make sure it isn't blowing hard into the engine compartment! The heater box itself just lifts straight up, the problem is all the linkage. Dare I suggest an initial attack with Duck tape followed up by back flushing the heater matrix? Then chose a time when you can afford to be without the heater for a bit (like next summer?) to attempt a full overhaul.

Chris
 
To add further - I have found that the coolant level is quite critical - too low and an air lock can develop, too high & you chuck coolant over the road!

With the later rads, I suggest fitting an expansion tank - then the radiator is completely full and you get maximun circulation through the heater matrix.

Also, a good flush through works wonders, as does opening the rear quarter vents.

Of all my cars, the early one (1965) has the best heater by a very long way.

As an aside, the fan is really only to serve as a boost when sitting in traffic or for demisting - when the car is normally travelling along the ram effect should be more than adequate to push heat into the car, assuming everything else is well.

Modern cars seem to need the fan running constantly to get the heater to work, these cars are not like that.

So, check that your cooling system is properly up to the job.

Good luck

Gary
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top