Footwell air vent

[malloryn]

Having read some of the previous postings of cold cabins many have suggested closing the 'cold air vent' in the drivers side footwell.

I had a look for this in my '96 P reg but there is not air vent to be found. Proding the carpet didn't reveal any hidden vents either. There is however, a 6cm dia hole in fibre glass close to where the dash meets the side.

Is the air vent only on older models?


Also, to get some more heat into the cabin and >70C engine temp, I am thinking of changing the thermostat to a higer temp.

Has anyone had any problems doing this?

How well does the cardboard in front of the rad trick work?

[Honestfreddie]

Hi Neil,

I also have a 97/P Chimaera. The air vent takes some looking for but if I remember correctly it's to the left of the steering column. Hope this is of some help to you.

[M@H]

malloryn said:

Also, to get some more heat into the cabin and >70C engine temp, I am thinking of changing the thermostat to a higer temp.

Wouldn't reccommend it.. unless you're going to swap it about depending on the weather condtions. I've read that many people have created an engine that overheats by putting a too higher temp thermostat in it. I wouldn't fancy being stuck in traffic with a higher temp stat either, thats for sure.

If your engine is around/below 70 degrees anyway, it means that your original stat is not open (it should only begin to open at 74 degrees), accordingly replacing it for a higher temperature one isn't going to make any difference.

Cheers
Matt.

[Voltaire53]

Honestfreddie said:

Hi Neil, I also have a 97/P Chimaera. The air vent takes some looking for but if I remember correctly it's to the left of the steering column. Hope this is of some help to you.

Yep, it's there (one on the passenger side too) but unless you know where to 'prod' if it's closed it'll just feel like a flat, hard circle.
It's to the left of the column but quite a way back facing the floor.

Mostly it allows warm air in as it sinks of the engine in my experience but YMMV.

[malloryn]

I thought that the two vents near the center console were connected to the normal vents i.e. for hot and cold. I have read that there is also a 'fresh air' vent which is not heated.

As for the stat. On the motorway the temp is around 60deg. Stationary, the temp rises to 90 and the fans come on. So the gauge and sender seem OK.
The hose to the rad is cold during startup and stays cold until the engine warms so the stat seems to be opening ( did not check the temp at opening).

I have also read that a 74deg stat was installed due to problems with 5ltr during the summer and that this could be replace with an 82deg stat.

I'll probably take the stat out this weekend to check it's opening at the correct temp ( and closing quick at lower temps).

Neil

[simpo two]

If it's any consolation I used to get cold feet (literally) in the Griff in very cold weather, even with the footwell vent closed. Investigation revealed a round hole about 1" diameter on the centre line, so I stuck a bit of black gaffer tape over it. That helped a lot, but there's still a draught getting in somehow. I will have to try to jam some bubblewrap up under the dash, but it's a complex area. Try driving along and exporing under the dash with a free hand - see if you can find any draughts.

[RichB]

malloryn said:

I thought that the two vents near the center console were connected to the normal vents i.e. for hot and cold. I have read that there is also a 'fresh air' vent which is not heated.

I cannot say about Chimaeras but you are correct in that som eGriffiths had an additional cold air vent with a blower in the driver's side wing cavity. R...

[simpo two]

RichB said:

I cannot say about Chimaeras but you are correct in that som eGriffiths had an additional cold air vent with a blower in the driver's side wing cavity. R...

Griffs from about 96 onwards had a second blower, which changes the system from 'rubbish' to 'decent'. However my footwell vent will do hot as well as cold.