Vixen heater question

[zefarelly]

This is my first TVR ('71 Vixen S3). . . .a question for you if I may . . .

heater . . .are they all crap or is it just that mine is clogged up . . .?
I gather the core is a Maxi/allegro/MGB item (not something to shout about) if so It should be easy to get hold of.

ventilation seems fine but I was bloody freezing after a 30 mile drive to work this morning.

my temp gauge reads low so Im going to check a few things and fit a new thermostat just in case.

[nwarner]

The heater on my '70 Vixen S3 is not up to modern heater standards but it is certainly adequate.

Have you checked that the valve on the inlet manifold is opening fully when you turn the slider to hot. If you check all the obvious (air locks etc.) and it's still not very good it's probably the pipes in the matrix that are blocked with limescale etc after 31 years and the only remedy is to get it recored.

Nige

[Phil_vernall]

As with everthing TVR there are about 999 variations of heater installation! Nige's advice is all valid but quickest check is to see if the pipes running to the heater are hot - if not then check for airlocks / valve position. If they are just warm (cooling as you get closer to the matrix) then suspect blockages somewhere.

>> Edited by Phil_vernall on Tuesday 10th December 10:29

[zefarelly]

right . . .thanks guys . . .Mo1 was sponge blocking the vents! No2 was removing the hose (for winter) from the fan as its picking up ice cold air from the side of the rad. . . .the core is getting warm . . . .but I think the engines running cool . . .a new thermostat and check of hoses etc will be done at the weekend.

I only need 1 jumper on the run to work this morning, and even took my gloves off ;-)

[krispy]

Am I right in thinking you've just removed the hose and left the heater airbox open to the enginebay? If so, what a cunning idea . I've been having much the same experience as you each morning recently but am also having to run with the windows down because of a leaky exhaust (roll on next thursday when it gets seen to!). By the way, did you mention you take the A272 in the morning? If so, which bit? I commute along the section between the A24 and Cuckfield....
Kris..

[zefarelly]

I head from the coast up to Crawley (a hole I know) so I tend to run through beeding, smallDole and any one of four or five nice winding lanes.

I was thinking of putting an old K+N in front of the fan to stop nasty niffs . . . .my girlfreind has a midget . . .same fan with a metal gauze in the intake to stop leaves etc getting in there.

the hose is easily replaced (1 hose clip and a big cable tie was all there was on mine)