While travelling up to SCOTT325SE's (cheers mate - when you gonna get the beast back on the road?) place yesterday I've discovered an interesting phenomenon.
Regardless of what the heater temperature is set at (except full hot) I get an initial blast of hot air which then becomes cooler and cooler.
The engine seemed to be running slightly hot (only relative as the needle is normally just below the mid point, on this trip it stayed just above).
Could it be the heater control valve?
Or, as the cars has got aircon (maybe climate control - I havn't confirmed that yet) could the internal temp sensor be playing up?
Any help would be mucho appreciated.
Weird Heating
Moderator: martauto
-
rayman
- E30 Zone Newbie
- Posts: 22
- Joined: Fri Oct 14, 2005 11:00 pm
check coolant level again wen cold. level might hav droped causing a air lock.
-
Brianmoooore
- E30 Zone Team Member
- Posts: 49360
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
The heater electric water valve doesn't control the heater temperature output.
It's a simple on/off valve, which is off when the temp control is fully anticlockwise, and for about the first ten degrees of its rotation. If you get ant heat from the heater with the control at full cold, then there is a problem with the heater valve.
After that, the valve is fully on, and the heater matrix will be at full temperarure. Heater output is controlled by blending cold and hot air.
Sounds like the seal on the control flap of the chamber containing the matrix isn't quite up to scratch. Nothing to worry about.
On the running temperature - Anywhere in the centre section of the temp gauge is fine, as long as it's away from the blue and red zones, although a sudden change in running temp is a cause for concern. Keep a close eye on the temp gauge. Is this the first time you've used the heater for a while? Perhaps the different warer flow around the engine is causing the difference somehow.
It's a simple on/off valve, which is off when the temp control is fully anticlockwise, and for about the first ten degrees of its rotation. If you get ant heat from the heater with the control at full cold, then there is a problem with the heater valve.
After that, the valve is fully on, and the heater matrix will be at full temperarure. Heater output is controlled by blending cold and hot air.
Sounds like the seal on the control flap of the chamber containing the matrix isn't quite up to scratch. Nothing to worry about.
On the running temperature - Anywhere in the centre section of the temp gauge is fine, as long as it's away from the blue and red zones, although a sudden change in running temp is a cause for concern. Keep a close eye on the temp gauge. Is this the first time you've used the heater for a while? Perhaps the different warer flow around the engine is causing the difference somehow.
-
boomer
- E30 Zone Regular
- Posts: 281
- Joined: Wed Oct 19, 2005 11:00 pm
Thanx guys,
Coolant level was a little bit low and it's the first time the heater's been used this year.
I've topped up the coolant and generally ar*ed about to make sure their's no air bubbles - will have to monitor.
Thanx again
Coolant level was a little bit low and it's the first time the heater's been used this year.
I've topped up the coolant and generally ar*ed about to make sure their's no air bubbles - will have to monitor.
Thanx again