WOT no heat??!!

[Jon16]

Hi, my heater seems to work only intermittently. The fan always works but there often seems to be a lack of heat (even VERY COLD!!! on long journeys). As soon as I investigate it seems to work??? Any thoughts? Something up with the control mech maybe? Thanks

[Gozza]

Sounds like your heater matrix may be blocked hence no heat. Open the bonnet and make sure when the heaters are cold that all your water hoses are hot. If they are hot then it sounds like a matrix problem.

Hope this helps  

[Jon16]

Thanks very much, I'll try that tommorow. Wasn't there a recall on the heater matrix once? I don't think the modifications have been done to mine... Just wondering if this will be relevant if the heater matrix is at fault.

[Gozza]

NOT USRE ALTHOUGH i DO RECAL READING SUMMINK ABOUT A RECALL. nO IDEA WHAT MODEL/YEARS WERE RECALLED THO SOZ.

Damn caps lock, ah well

[m4nesh]

By-pass valve! ?30 relatively cheap most likely something like this as it is very common

[richandhazel]

If you haven't had the mod then you ought to have it done and VW should do it for free.

However, that doesn't solve your more immedaite problem in that you don't have the heat.
If its not a matrix blockage, make sure your pipes aren't kinked and try releasing one of the upper jubilee clips a tad to see if air comes out instead of coolant.........you may have an airlock.

[Gambit]

the official recall is now over, but some VAG garages will still do it for nowt.

[richandhazel]

There was a post a while back, Modulator I think (ex VW), where you can demand the mod as it was a recall for safety reasons.........and those safety reasons should still apply. I'll see if I can find it.........

[richandhazel]

Found it, sorry it wasn't modulator it was red 16v:-

This is a factory recall to prevent the possibility of boiling hot water being 'spewed' over your feet. It is not optional. I have spoken to Volkswagen on this very topic only a matter of a few weeks ago (as a result of a previous question on this point on this very forum). Volkswagen have maintained a list of cars that have been modified and they perform this modification to any car that requires it regardless of the age or the mileage of the car. It is not a replacement of a faulty part - it is the fitting of a safety bypass device. It is not for your local dealer to say that VW have stopped doing it - they have not. It sounds as though your local dealer is being very lazy and can't be bothered. Go and see them again, ask them to check if the modification has been performed and if not instruct them to carry it out. If they refuse,  take it up with VW HQ in Milton Keynes, their number is in the phonebook. regards, yt.


Original thread:-
http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?board=7;action=display;threadid=3258;start=msg20651#msg20651

[Jon16]

Thanks guys... All the hoses were hot except the one at the bottom of the radiator (I'm not mechanic obviously but I presume that's normal) so I guess the heater matrix is blocked??? Any tips on fixing it? How much should it cost to get it done? Any volunteers? (paid obviously!) The car is a 1990 16v, I'm in West London - but will travel to get it fixed if necessary...