Heater temperature

[NorfolkSteve]

Hi,

What temperature (water and/or oil) do other people's heaters start to output warm air?

Mine seems to have to get very warm (water over 78ish, oil over 65) befoer I get anything but cold air from my heater - this make for very cold journeys at this time of year!

Thanks

[Arapo]

Cant remember the exact temperatures, but mine will start blowing hot air after a couple of minutes in the drive. Definitely well before its fully warmed up.

[NorfolkSteve]

Sounds like I may have a problem then. Anyone know how this is controlled - is it just a thermostat valve?

[dvs_dave]

The heater loop should always have water flow regardless of the themostat position so it should get warm quite quickly. One reason for it to be cold until the engine is hot is if your coolant level is too low which is a potential hidden engine killer.

[SteveTusc]

When it is hot can you change the temp from hot to cold and back? Just thinking your stepper motor might be jammed in a half way position meaning you need to heat up both air boxes before you get anything near hot air coming out.

[nawarne]

SteveTusc said:

When it is hot can you change the temp from hot to cold and back? Just thinking your stepper motor might be jammed in a half way position meaning you need to heat up both air boxes before you get anything near hot air coming out.

^^^What Steve said!
I sometimes wait for hot air to come through too. I rotate the temp' control knob to cold,wait for 15 secs, and then back to hot. As Steve mentions, I think the motor driving the flaps gets 'lazy', changeing the cabin temp, causes the motor to sort itself out and sets up the routeing for warm air to the cabin.

As per Graham Varley's book, I'm trying to remember to turn off the blower after a drive. Haven't seen so much of the 'flap' issue since doing this.

Nick.