Heater woes

[jon gould]

Hello, just in time for the winter I`ve found the heater on my diesel Countryman will only blow cold air. This vehicle had been laid up for some time before I got it. Any stuck valves I should be looking at first, or is it just a case of clogged matrix ? From the bills I`ve got the car had reasonably regular changes of antifreeze/corrosion inhibitor.
Cheers
Jon

[H48HPE]

the heater on my 1.3 isn't brilliant and diesels run colder dont they? If you didnt already know the hot air only comes out of the windscreen and foot vents. the dash vents are cold air only. the matrix could be full of air, take the matrix outlet hose off whilst the engines running and check that waters flowing out. im not sure about the flaps that control the air flow

andy

[J199 HHG]

The heaters in Montego Diesels are basically crap. Mine never really worked satisfactorily. On full blast I was still shivering after 3 hours driving (it was about -5 outside and I was wet)

It's worth checking:
i) When on hot, the air should be recirculated. The flap that does this is on the drivers side of the heater box right up underneath the windscreen. Worth checking that linkage works properly when turning the heater control.
ii) That your thermostat is at least 88deg.

Vern hung a camp stove from a plank running between the passenger seat (between headrest and seat) and the dashboard. Dodgy but effective!

[G Force]

Hello there. It's a really good point that you make about the 88 degree thermostat, I think that they are a must for every maestro Montego owner regardless of engine type, fit one and be cosy all winter.

As for the camp stove that sounds not for the faint hearted. If you want a radical solution just block off 2/3 of the radiator for the winter months.

Cheers Gary.

[Wonko_The_Sane]

Mine was less that great last winter..a 2 way flush fixed the worst of it. Admittedly I did think my Thermostat was dead, but can I get the cover off? No. I just took a numberplate and cabletied it behind the grille (Maestro).

Nice and warm. This year, it seems to be OK. Now it's just the heater only working on "III" I need to sort..:rolleyes:

There are some 12V ceramic heaters out there for car use...maybe worth considering?

Might give SOME heat at least.

[MaestroMatt]

Are there any potential problems with the 88 degree thermostat? [What is the standard one rated at anyway?] I mean things like overheating in summer, hot running on long journeys, that sort of thing. Would it be OK on an R series (1.6 petrol) engine? I am thinking I might change my thermostat & temp sender to do a real belt and braces job of when I change my radiator and coolant one of these weekends (before the first freeze!), and wouldn't mind a bit of extra warmth in the winter. On a similar note, does anyone know if Rover can do a full set of replacement coolant hoses? Sounds like the sort of pack they ought to offer to us old-car owners but I bet they don't.

[G Force]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by MaestroMatt
[B]Are there any potential problems with the 88 degree thermostat? [What is the standard one rated at anyway?] I mean things like overheating in summer, hot running on long journeys, that sort of thing. Would it be OK on an R series (1.6 petrol) engine?

Hiya, the 88 degree thermostat will be fine in both summer and winter, no problems at all. The standard thermostat is 82 degrees. The 88 degree is fine for all models, the diesel and 2 litre petrol must use the by-pass blanking type though.

Regards Gary

[Mat_C]

IIRC the standard thermostat is rated at 82degC. It shouldn't cause any problems in the summer, it might however exaggerate an existing problem with the cooling system. As long as your radiator isn't blocked up etc, should be fine.

Try and get a geniune rover one - two pattern thermostats I bought stuck open after 6 months!

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Why do I always post about 2 seconds after someone else!

[MaestroMatt]

Excellent news, thanks both. I am fitting a brand new radiator so that should be fine and the cooling fan is A-OK despite sounding a bit like a helicopter taking off!

Here's to a toasty winter!

[jon gould]

Cheers for all the replies. By the sounds of it there are several people out there who are going to struggle with misty windows this winter. Whilst eating a nice big slice of humble pie I thought I`d mention that my heater does in fact work after all. I just wasn`t aware that the dash vents were only rigged for cold air. Didn`t occur to me to try the foot and screen vents separately. Doh.
You are right though - heater`s still crap.

Cheers
Jon

[Maria]

Would it help to say you're not the first to be fooled by that one? :laugh: :D