Heater Problem
Discussion
Just put my S2 111S with aircon into Murray's to get some work done. One item was the heater control. I have air in the footwell but turning the knob to demist position makes no difference. I did not think that this would be a major issue but they quoted me £550 to fix this and blamed some actuator. Has anyone else heard of this!!! I know that Mclaren used Gold to line the engine bay of the F1 but was not aware of Lotus utilising precious metals and jeweled bearings in such areas. For the record I have declined their offer and will investigate myself, but I am curious. I mean £550!!!! that would almost get me a new set of A048's I know what I would rather do.
Cheers
Cheers
havnt got a pic to hand, but when you take the front panels off, have a look at hte metal rod and linkage that moves when you turn the heater control knobs - I just put some greas on the bits I could reach, and sprayed the rest with WD40. check it/stick some more on as needed when screen wash is empty - the fan and heater unit is all one unit - if the flap inside etc seizes then its clam off and new unit time 
Fergus - ive heard or 2 or 3 people with this happening...apparently on the S2 the heater box with the flap inside is all one non-servicible unit and because of where it is in the S2 (and that theres no 'bonnet' as such) its major labour to replace
I mihgt check the service manual later to see what it says - either way its bad news if it goes wrong !
and because of where it is in the S2 (and that theres no 'bonnet' as such) its major labour to replace I mihgt check the service manual later to see what it says - either way its bad news if it goes wrong !
Thanks for the input guys. At that kinda cost I would be tempted to save the weight by ripping out the whole system completely and fitting a small electric fan on the end of the windscreen demist ducting. I dont mind paying big cash for performence enhancement but its a lot just to send the air from my feet to the screen.
One other option is most likely to adjust the flap manually and leave it permanantly blowing on the screen. Whatever happened to Mr. Chapmans's ethos !!!!!!
One other option is most likely to adjust the flap manually and leave it permanantly blowing on the screen. Whatever happened to Mr. Chapmans's ethos !!!!!!
If you can gain access to some of the heater actuators from the under the front covers, it could be worth a try freeing them up yourself. I know a decent mechanic would have thought of this but some will charge you for giving it the thought.
Just a thought, most items that lotus do not have to design / build themselvs they wont. Does anyone know what car the heater unit originally comes from?
Just a thought, most items that lotus do not have to design / build themselvs they wont. Does anyone know what car the heater unit originally comes from?
bogie said:
Fergus - ive heard or 2 or 3 people with this happening...apparently on the S2 the heater box with the flap inside is all one non-servicible unit
I mihgt check the service manual later to see what it says - either way its bad news if it goes wrong !
Sure, but I'll lay hard cash on the table that says I can fix the unit for 1/10th the cost of a new one.
Fd
Well thanks for the input guys, unfortunately it seems that the S2111S with aircon is completely different from my workshop manual. Examining the heater controls at the rear shows them to all be electrical and this fits with the garage informing me that the "flap actuator" has died. I have been mucking around trying to manually reposition the flap with no joy so far. Has anyone on here got a copy of the manufacturers manual for the aircon system. Otherwise it looks like a clam off type thing and the unit looks expensive.
On a positive note, have just been out with nylatron bush kit, nitrons, motorsport wheels & A048's fitted. Yipppeeeeee
On a positive note, have just been out with nylatron bush kit, nitrons, motorsport wheels & A048's fitted. Yipppeeeeee
Hi-ah, The early S2 has the same heater as the S1 and it is cable controlled and the flap does tend to sieze some times so it is a good idea to WD40 it when ever you fancy. If however you have face level vents on the dash, as in AC and most late heaters this problem was erradicated because the flaps are cotrolled electrically making the knob nice and easy to move....trouble is yes the actuators play up which are mounted on the end of the airbox against the crash structure so you do have to puul off the front end, pull the heater box out and, like all elecky bits these days...change it. Oiling yours isn't going to do any good I fear
As I thought, but i am wondering if there is any way to move the flap to the demist position and leave it. Thoughts were along the line of dashtop off and shove a coat hanger up into the unit and "prod abou a bit and hope" Anyone know where a manual could be sourced for the offending item??
stuart1969 said:
As I thought, but i am wondering if there is any way to move the flap to the demist position and leave it. Thoughts were along the line of dashtop off and shove a coat hanger up into the unit and "prod abou a bit and hope" Anyone know where a manual could be sourced for the offending item??
I'd have thought that unlikely to work . . . however if you DO get it changed . . . ask MMC/whoever to give you the old unit . . . then it can be stripped/repaired if possible . . .
Fd
>> Edited by fergusd on Monday 28th March 12:49
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