Technical 1.3 Multijet heater longtime to warm up issue??

[43576]

My Grande Punto 1.3 75bhp 2007 177,000 miles, I have noticed the heater matrix takes a while to warm up for example the 20-minute journey feels warm, not hot when putting the max temp knob, I used a laser temperature gauge reading 37c for each venting flap.

Recently service new coolant was flushed after the thermostat failed, I tried to bleed the valve no air inside, I held the matrix pipes in and out and felt very warm rather than hot burning my hands.

What is the issue?

 

[bugsymike]

My Grande Punto 1.3 75bhp 2007 177,000 miles, I have noticed the heater matrix takes a while to warm up for example the 20-minute journey feels warm, not hot when putting the max temp knob, I used a laser temperature gauge reading 37c for each venting flap.

Recently service new coolant was flushed after the thermostat failed, I tried to bleed the valve no air inside, I held the matrix pipes in and out and felt very warm rather than hot burning my hands.

What is the issue?

Was a new thermostat fitted as if engine fully warmed up then no way can you hold pipes for long @ 90degrees Centigrade and temp gauge in middle.

 

[AnthonyH]

My Grande Punto 1.3 75bhp 2007 177,000 miles, I have noticed the heater matrix takes a while to warm up for example the 20-minute journey feels warm, not hot when putting the max temp knob, I used a laser temperature gauge reading 37c for each venting flap.

Recently service new coolant was flushed after the thermostat failed, I tried to bleed the valve no air inside, I held the matrix pipes in and out and felt very warm rather than hot burning my hands.

What is the issue?

37C is hot. I mean if you were sat on a beach in that heat you'd want to get out of it before long.

As for the pipes, they're supposed to be very hot, not burning. If they were super hot then the rubber would degrade very quickly and they'd need replacing regularly.

Its taken every Punto i've owned (4 now), at least 20 minutes to reach maximum temperature.

These heaters aren't very good, or very reliable, but yours sounds in tip top condition to me....

 

[bugsymike]

37C is hot. I mean if you were sat on a beach in that heat you'd want to get out of it before long.

As for the pipes, they're supposed to be very hot, not burning. If they were super hot then the rubber would degrade very quickly and they'd need replacing regularly.

Its taken every Punto i've owned (4 now), at least 20 minutes to reach maximum temperature.

These heaters aren't very good, or very reliable, but yours sounds in tip top condition to me....

Disagree, engine thermostat opens at 88-90 degrees Centigrade, so coolant pipes at bulkhead going into heater matrix on a fully warmed up engine will be at that temp.
If not for pressurised cooling system that would be just under boiling point.

 

[AnthonyH]

Disagree, engine thermostat opens at 88-90 degrees Centigrade, so coolant pipes at bulkhead going into heater matrix on a fully warmed up engine will be at that temp.
If not for pressurised cooling system that would be just under boiling point.

I think the OP is saying that the temperature coming out of the vents into the car is 37 degrees. So its really at 90 degrees? Wouldn't that be burning the hands? Maybe its supposed to burn the hands and mine don't. I'm looking to learn myself.

 

[bugsymike]

I think the OP is saying that the temperature coming out of the vents into the car is 37 degrees. So its really at 90 degrees? Wouldn't that be burning the hands? Maybe its supposed to burn the hands and mine don't. I'm looking to learn myself.

Seriously engines are designed to run just below boiling point as they are most efficient then, when pistons have expanded and oil has warmed up etc. Also spark plugs self clean when hot.Often best fuel economy at that point also, so cold engines use more fuel.
In old days standard thermostats were often 82 Degrees Centigrade and I used to fit 88 degree ones in my vehicles so heater worked better. In those days thermostats were made by Smiths and fairly universal.
I am not saying the vent temp is that high, but as OP said "I held the matrix pipes in and out and felt very warm rather than hot burning my hands."

 

[AnthonyH]

Seriously engines are designed to run just below boiling point as they are most efficient then, when pistons have expanded and oil has warmed up etc. Also spark plugs self clean when hot.Often best fuel economy at that point also, so cold engines use more fuel.
In old days standard thermostats were often 82 Degrees Centigrade and I used to fit 88 degree ones in mu vehicles so heater worked better. In those days thermostats were made by Smiths and fairly universal.
I am not saying the vent temp is that high, but as OP said "I held the matrix pipes in and out and felt very warm rather than hot burning my hands."

I'm going to take a thermometer with me later today and see what temperatures i get as a matter of interest. I know the temperature coming out of the vents on my EVO is below par, i'm not sure whats wrong but its not enough of a problem for me to look into. My GP has hot vents most likely at near manufacturers spec, but it only works on setting 4, with 1-3 being inoperative. I've previously fixed this but it blew again, so I give up lol.

 

[bugsymike]

I'm going to take a thermometer with me later today and see what temperatures i get as a matter of interest. I know the temperature coming out of the vents on my EVO is below par, i'm not sure whats wrong but its not enough of a problem for me to look into. My GP has hot vents most likely at near manufcturers spec, but it only works on setting 4, with 1-3 being inoperative. I've previously fixed this but it blew again, so I give up lol.

If you have an old thermostat try putting it in a saucepan of water and bringing it to the boil using a suitable thermometer see when it fully opens and also when it starts to close.
If suspicious I even check brand new ones that way.
Generally if thermostat is working on my vehicles, by the time I have got to the top of the hill onto the dual carriageway the temp gauge is in the middle so no way 20 minutes.
Even when ice and snow everywhere, the thermostat should do it's job by just allowing the coolant to circulate the engine and heater matrix without going through the normal car radiator.
Many years ago when cars had carbs with a manual choke mechanism, whilst on a Ford Motorcraft course it was explained that the current models only did 9 mpg whilst on choke! Better now with ECU controls, but still need to reach correct operating temp.

 

[bugsymike]

If you start your car up from cold, have someone hold the accelerator at 1500-2000rpm whilst you hold the top hose where it goes into the radiator, it should be cold to start with, but within 10 minutes if working correctly I don't think you will keep your hand on the hose.

 

[43576]

Was a new thermostat fitted as if engine fully warmed up then no way can you hold pipes for long @ 90degrees Centigrade and temp gauge in middle.

My old thermostat was stuck open all cold water in. After fitted the new one, it seemed not very hot, I wasn't sure if it was supposed to be like for Fiat 1.3.

 

[43576]

I think the OP is saying that the temperature coming out of the vents into the car is 37 degrees. So its really at 90 degrees? Wouldn't that be burning the hands? Maybe its supposed to burn the hands and mine don't. I'm looking to learn myself.

I point with my temperature laser in water coolant is 78c after 30 minute of driving, I thought it should be round 89c???

 

[bugsymike]

I point with my temperature laser in water coolant is 78c after 30 minute of driving, I thought it should be round 89c???

See my reply at 4 above the photo shows the details by the pen.

 

[AnthonyH]

Generally if thermostat is working on my vehicles, by the time I have got to the top of the hill onto the dual carriageway the temp gauge is in the middle so no way 20 minutes.

I figured 20 minutes wait was one of the Puntos special design features lol

 

[bugsymike]

I figured 20 minutes wait was one of the Puntos special design features lol

Have you discovered what the right hand pedal does.

 

[AnthonyH]

Have you discovered what the right hand pedal does.

Its funny you should say that I remember a year or more ago getting my wife to help with bleeding the brakes, and me wondering why nothing was happening, until she roared with laughter and told me she'd been pressing the accelerator... lol

 

[bugsymike]

Its funny you should say that I remember a year or more ago getting my wife to help with bleeding the brakes, and me wondering why nothing was happening, until she roared with laughter and told me she'd been pressing the accelerator... lol

In that case see what temp it gets up to when she drives.

 

[AnthonyH]

In that case see what temp it gets up to when she drives.

She's the one complaining about the heater in the EVO being warm rather than hot, I guess she drives slower than me then lol

 

[bugsymike]

She's the one complaining about the heater in the EVO being warm rather than hot, I guess she drives slower than me then lol

Either that or the doors are open.

 

[AnthonyH]

I'm going to the gym at around 3pm, so i'll take a thermometer and try to watch the temperature rise.

Sadly its only a 15 minute drive there, so it may not be as hot as its going to get, i could try looking at the thermostat, they're cheap enough.

 

[bugsymike]

I'm going to the gym at around 3pm, so i'll take a thermometer and try to watch the temperature rise.

Sadly its only a 15 minute drive there, so it may not be as hot as its going to get, i could try looking at the thermostat, they're cheap enough.

Stop trying to impress us with all the gym talk, we know you are only going for a coffee.