crap heater!

[jammac]

winter is coming!

my heater is absolute cack unless ive been driving for an hour or so!

any ideas anyone?

it does blow some hot air once the coolant is warmed but not enough to de-ice my windscreen at 6am before work in january!

ive had a feel of the pipes leading in and out of the engine bay bulkhead and they are both nice and hot so im thinking air in the heater matrix? what can i do to get rid?

cheers all

[clipperjay]

Do you have a heater bypass valve just before the two pipes going into the heater matrix?
If you do you can either replace stock item or just take it out and use copper pipes to make a clear connection essentially removing the blocked bypass valve
J
 

[golf8v]

does the gauge go up half way?? or is it not moving?

[fused]

Yeah if the bypass is faulty that might do it or if both pipes are toasty right up next to the bulkhead then probaly a blocked matrix, ie limescale/radiator weld that sort of thing. Try a search but I think a mk3 matrix is a straight swap? and not prone to the dangerous leaks of originals.

When I changed the matrix and stupidly  :embarassed: replaced the bypass mine was fine but holy did she ever got hot once I got rid of the bypass  3-4 mins before warm/hot then 5mins+ = beach in Mexico!

[8vRicey]

I concur.
Get rid of the bypass valve and you will be lovely n toasty !! 

[jammac]

im not sure if ive got a bypass valve? what would it look like? which pipe would it be on drivers or passenger side?

 i think both pipes go straight into the bulk head? i cant remember off my head if theres any kind of valve there?

my coolant gauge is working correctly. it goes up to just below halfway with normal driving and goes higher when im sitting in traffic so i dont think its anything to do with that. 

ill take a pic and post it in abit if i can

cheers for ya help guys

[jammac]

not a great pic but you can get the jist of it. there are only 2 pipes going into the bulkhead. i looked on ebay for a heater bypass valve and now realise i definatly dont have one as there is no pipe work going from one of these pipes to the other therefore bypassing my heater matrix. i guess my matrix is blocked then huh? or an air lock? any suggestions? 

[dabill]

heater matrix is a major pain to change! try bleeding the system, if not, then spanners might have to come out...

[clipperjay]

Try running two part Holts rad flush firstly it might eat away the crap blocking the heater matrix then stick a water hose down one on the inlet's and flush away. Cheapest way I know without heater matrix being removed which I have to say is a bloody pain as the whole under dash has to come out just to get to the firewall pipes.

J

[jammac]

sounds like a right arse! ill try that rad flush and bleed the system as per rub jonnys guide. hope that sorts it cos ive had a look  at the heater matrix guide also and it sounds like a nightmare!

cheers for ya help guys ill let ya know if it works after a good fluch/bleed