How hot is your heater please?
Discussion
I am not sure if the Stag heater is very good or my Chimaera heater is very poor!
I have changed the heater control valve and whilst it puts out some heat, it doesnt seem to do that good a job of keeping me warm with the roof off in the way that my old triumph does.
Using a digital meat thermomter, measured at the heater vent into the passenger footwell the temp is about 65 degree C and about 55 into the drivers side.
This is when the car is stationary and fully up to temp with the cooling fans cutting in and out.
Does anybody know if that is about right or too cold? An explanation about the drivers side being 10 colder would also be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Graham
I have changed the heater control valve and whilst it puts out some heat, it doesnt seem to do that good a job of keeping me warm with the roof off in the way that my old triumph does.
Using a digital meat thermomter, measured at the heater vent into the passenger footwell the temp is about 65 degree C and about 55 into the drivers side.
This is when the car is stationary and fully up to temp with the cooling fans cutting in and out.
Does anybody know if that is about right or too cold? An explanation about the drivers side being 10 colder would also be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Graham
My '97 is pretty good.
I notice yours are '93 ?
point being; maybe it's a version thing?
Sure if I put it on full and wind the window down at 70mph and it soon gets chilly inside, but with the windows up all but a crack it's good. Close the windows completely and it's soon too hot.
If I leave the lower dash/console vents on, the gear knob gets uncomfortably hot usually.
The level [of heat] adjustment has never been great, but it does the job as well as some cars I've owned.
That was the case with today's slightly chilly conditions.
Yes, I know, I know; the roof was on
. But the incessant whining from the left side in weather like this etc. etc...
I notice yours are '93 ?
point being; maybe it's a version thing?
Sure if I put it on full and wind the window down at 70mph and it soon gets chilly inside, but with the windows up all but a crack it's good. Close the windows completely and it's soon too hot.
If I leave the lower dash/console vents on, the gear knob gets uncomfortably hot usually.
The level [of heat] adjustment has never been great, but it does the job as well as some cars I've owned.
That was the case with today's slightly chilly conditions.
Yes, I know, I know; the roof was on
. But the incessant whining from the left side in weather like this etc. etc...Edited by Goaty Bill on Saturday 10th December 17:46
Hi graham
My 95 400HC's the same
It keeps me just about warm, but it's certainly not proper heat. I've not run the thermometer over it, but I'd guess similar numbers to what you're seeing
I see you've tried quick fix #1 by changing the fiddliest valve in the world in the Passenger footwell. The 2nd quick fix is to wash out the heater matrix to clear out any of the gunk that accumulates in there over the years (especially if your car's previously only been a summer car at some point and only used cold air)
The easiest way to do this if you don't already know is to disconnect the two hoses that run along the side the engine side of the bulk head (water in and water out pipes), turn the heater on full hot and then use a reasonably high pressure hose pipe to flush water through in both directions repeatedly to clear the crap out.
This made a small difference in mine, but not massive
Failing that, check there's no air locks in the water system
Hope this helps
Cheers
Graeme
My 95 400HC's the same
It keeps me just about warm, but it's certainly not proper heat. I've not run the thermometer over it, but I'd guess similar numbers to what you're seeing
I see you've tried quick fix #1 by changing the fiddliest valve in the world in the Passenger footwell. The 2nd quick fix is to wash out the heater matrix to clear out any of the gunk that accumulates in there over the years (especially if your car's previously only been a summer car at some point and only used cold air)
The easiest way to do this if you don't already know is to disconnect the two hoses that run along the side the engine side of the bulk head (water in and water out pipes), turn the heater on full hot and then use a reasonably high pressure hose pipe to flush water through in both directions repeatedly to clear the crap out.
This made a small difference in mine, but not massive
Failing that, check there's no air locks in the water system
Hope this helps
Cheers
Graeme
Looks like it's probably a year / version thing then?;
2 '93s and a '95 say; not good
1 '97 and 2 '98s say; like an oven
There must be someone who knows the major differences, and if there is a sensible 'fix', assuming you are looking for one?
Not discounting advice to give it a good clean out etc. and check the thermostat first.
I could be completely wrong, and please feel free to correct me anyone, but I thought my heater was located under the top dash cover on that plywood plank that reminded me of a PC motherboard (an arrangement that I considered quite clever in it's simplicity).
But I've only peeked under there once (fixing the hot start issue).
2 '93s and a '95 say; not good
1 '97 and 2 '98s say; like an oven
There must be someone who knows the major differences, and if there is a sensible 'fix', assuming you are looking for one?
Not discounting advice to give it a good clean out etc. and check the thermostat first.
I could be completely wrong, and please feel free to correct me anyone, but I thought my heater was located under the top dash cover on that plywood plank that reminded me of a PC motherboard (an arrangement that I considered quite clever in it's simplicity).
But I've only peeked under there once (fixing the hot start issue).
Changed the thermostat on mine a few weeks back. 97 400
Had a really cool/cold trip back from Blackpool 2am top down.
Fitted a new 82 degree.
Result after change very pleasant / almost hot, thermostat was slightly stuck open.
Also car seems to be running a lot smoother and more responsive.
Temperature must now be somewhere in ECU optimum range i guess, where before it was to cool and to rich a mixtutre being fed in.
( I Guess )
Had a really cool/cold trip back from Blackpool 2am top down.
Fitted a new 82 degree.
Result after change very pleasant / almost hot, thermostat was slightly stuck open.
Also car seems to be running a lot smoother and more responsive.
Temperature must now be somewhere in ECU optimum range i guess, where before it was to cool and to rich a mixtutre being fed in.
( I Guess )
mines a 1996 serp very toasty! I have to close [as best you can.....its a TVR]the 2 vents above the trans tunnel, otherwise the gear lever gets too hot 
Thanks for the suggestions. I will have a look at how easy it is to get the hose onto the heater matrix. It didnt look that easy by the heater valves!
You people with the toasty heaters are very lucky... Mine is warm with the roof and windows up but down it just doesnt do enough for roof down. At least compared to my other old car - On Monday, I drove down the motorway with the roof down in the Stag and you have to be carefull not to cook your ankle! That heat flows all around you and you just feel warmer than in the TVR.
With regard to thermostat, I might check that, I put a warmer one in during the first uear I owned it but the car has been decatted, up-graded rad and has a splitter type thing under the front of the car. Each of those is supposed to lower running temps
You people with the toasty heaters are very lucky... Mine is warm with the roof and windows up but down it just doesnt do enough for roof down. At least compared to my other old car - On Monday, I drove down the motorway with the roof down in the Stag and you have to be carefull not to cook your ankle! That heat flows all around you and you just feel warmer than in the TVR.
With regard to thermostat, I might check that, I put a warmer one in during the first uear I owned it but the car has been decatted, up-graded rad and has a splitter type thing under the front of the car. Each of those is supposed to lower running temps
2000 4,6 heater excellent but on a run in this cold weather engine temp drops to 50c but will run at 90 when sitting at idle and stationary and fan cuts in.Just changed stat to 82 expected to find old one jammed or non existant but all seemed ok, not been on the road since to see if same happens, however even on he lower engine temps the heater was very good, in fact too hot with the windows shut
TV8 said:
You people with the toasty heaters are very lucky... Mine is warm with the roof and windows up but down it just doesnt do enough for roof down. At least compared to my other old car - On Monday, I drove down the motorway with the roof down in the Stag and you have to be carefull not to cook your ankle! That heat flows all around you and you just feel warmer than in the TVR.
There is plenty of warm air in the footwell with the roof down, in my case. Enough for a gently roasted ankle 
One does need to be 'appropriately dressed' for cold weather driving with the Chim.
I think you will find that a pair of gloves and a scarf are probably in order irrespective of how good your heater is, when temps drop close to freezing.
Not having driven in a Stag, I can't help with a comparison (they are usually overheating in anticipation of a fearful explosion in any case aren't they?
(sorry)), but coming from late MGs I found the heating better in the TVR.Some cars are just better at keeping the heat in the cockpit it seems.
What's this "other old car" bit supposed to mean anyway?
I mean that implies...
cerberatony said:
just started to use mine as a daily driver and i work 13 miles away, or 20 mins if you like. my gear knob starts to get hot but my gauge only shows 50 degrees in that time is this about right?
Hi Tony,My 96 500 will be showing 60 within 5 minutes and 70 within 10 even at freezing temperatures, so no. I would check your thermostat as a first step.
I used to curse the heating in my Griff, or the lack of it rather.
I did the usual stuff such as;
Making sure the servos/rods etc were all correctly aligned.
Cleaned the motor and its terminals
Did the modification to attach a duct from the heater motor over the inner wing and sealed the inner wing.
Flushed the heater matrix.
Ensured all the ducting was attached properly and sealed.
Yet it was still crap.
Then when I was tidying things up in the footwell I had the valve out of the car so had a good look at it.
It operates by restricting the water flow with a plastic 'gate' across the waterway.
I discovered that even when full open there was some of the gate still in the waterway. It looked like one of Mickey Mouses lugholes.
I got a series of drills and with a bit of effort and time removed it.
The improvement was dramatic and it still makes me smile when I turn on my new found heater.
All the above are worth checking because when you finally do have a working heater it transforms those crisp spring/autumn roof-down days.
I did the usual stuff such as;
Making sure the servos/rods etc were all correctly aligned.
Cleaned the motor and its terminals
Did the modification to attach a duct from the heater motor over the inner wing and sealed the inner wing.
Flushed the heater matrix.
Ensured all the ducting was attached properly and sealed.
Yet it was still crap.
Then when I was tidying things up in the footwell I had the valve out of the car so had a good look at it.
It operates by restricting the water flow with a plastic 'gate' across the waterway.
I discovered that even when full open there was some of the gate still in the waterway. It looked like one of Mickey Mouses lugholes.
I got a series of drills and with a bit of effort and time removed it.
The improvement was dramatic and it still makes me smile when I turn on my new found heater.
All the above are worth checking because when you finally do have a working heater it transforms those crisp spring/autumn roof-down days.
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