Technical still with the heater not working...

[littlephil]

right the heater has been kaput since i bought the car, just blows cold air. Though it was the heater valve so i've changed that this morning but the heater still doesn't blow warm air?? could it be a blockage? how much **** would it take to block it? how do i fix it? the pipes going to the internal rad are cold even when the engine is warm.

Help i'm cold!!!

 

[rachaeljf]

The heater matrix is like a mini radiator, with very narrow tubes that can easily get blocked with crud if the car hasn't been looked after. If the heater pipes are stone cold then the matrix is dead.

Cheers R

 

[littlephil]

is there a thermostat to control the flow to the heater rad or does the same one run the main radiator?

 

[rachaeljf]

The heater circuit is independent of the main coolant circuit. It actually short-circuits the main coolant flow. This is done so you can get heat into the car as soon as possible on those chilly mornings. The only control is the heater valve.