Puma temperature problem

[eybic]

Helloooooo,

I recently acquired a ratty '98 1.7 Puma. The car serves it's purpose almost perfectly (daily runner) however, it rarely blows warm air out of the blowers. I suspect it's a thermostat but wanted to see what you thought.

The temp gauge will sit in the black for most of my 25 mile (each way) commute except when I'm in traffic where it will eventually rise to the middle of "normal", then the fan will kick in and it drops again. The only time it will blow warm air is when travelling at motorway speeds and the gauge is showing the lower end of normal but the gauge then drops back to the black and we're back to cold/ tepid air. Fuel economy is fine (approx 35mpg)and I thought a knackered stat resulted in poor fuel economy so not 100% sure it is the stat. It doesn't seem to use a significant amount water and does at least 50 miles a day which is mainly a motorway commute.

I don't want to be spending a massive amount of money as the car only cost me £200 so what are your thoughts?

Thank you

Nathan

[drmotorsport]

Yes it sounds like the thermostat mostly, but it could also be the heater control valve which is a common fault on the Puma and Fiesta. Luckily the HCV is a cheap part and a 10min easy DIY replacement so I would start with that personally.

[eybic]

Thank you, would that cause the car not to get to "normal" temp unless in traffic too?

[eybic]

Bump

[cossy400]

As said iirc ifs irs the valve I think its more a case of it doesnt switch to hot air. If that makes sense.

Get ine there cheap as and less hassle than a stat so id start there.

[eybic]

Ok, over the past few days I've noticed the heater temp seems to respond to the dial on the dash but the car temp doesn't really get to normal so I guess this would be the thermostat?