The inside of my van is bloody freezing !!

[wixer]

Is it the norm for an 2.1 wasserbox to struggle to get upto a normal operating temperature during this cold spell ? I drive 25 miles to work down an A road, so there's no stopping for traffic. If I travel through the town, it will get up to about quarter hot on the gauge. I covered the lower part of the radiator a couple of months ago but this hasn't really made alot of difference. I've blocked the top grille off tonight to see what difference this will make. I'm coming to the conclusion that there's that much pipe work under the van, the engine's being over cooled. I've read the Wiki about insulating the pipes but will this really make much difference. If I can't improve it, I might have to get the Porka out and go in that.

[Ian Hulley]

Our's is warm in the cab after ~3 miles ... I'd be checking for an airlock or similar ?

Ian.

[Mocki]

my LPG 2.1 is blowing warm after a mile, and hot after 3 miles, you have a problem there.

thermostat not working properly?
airlock?
heater temp control valve buggered?

[..lee..]

change the thermostat there not expensive.

[wixer]

Could be an airlock me thinks. I had van tuned and serviced at beginning of November including changing coolant. I'm wondering now, if they knew how to bleed the system properly. I've checked to see if thermostat is opening and it does seem OK. Will have a go at bleeding system at weekend.

Thanks for replies.

[CovKid]

We are experiencing some extraordinarily low temperatures, so much so the government is having to borrow even more to cover winter fuel payments. On Saturday it took me a long while to even get into the bus, everything frozen solid and as I had to drop off some elderly parents, I had to get it warm before I could do that. Took at least two miles before it was warm enough to stop my backside freezing to the seat so you're not alone. Its at this time of year that those mild draughts through the odd gap take on arctic proportions.

[ding-dang-dhu]

I'm suffering from this too, not helped by my blower switch packing up twice in the last month. Thank heavens for fleabay.

My daily journey is 16 miles and have yet to be warm in the van.

I'm told this is part of the fun with a 'classic' motor vehicle.....and I agree

[lloyd]

I drive 16 miles in stop n go up to 50 if lucky. Van starts warming in 1-2 miles and is warm up front in 5-7... Does take about 10 miles to warm up entire van. Don't have rear heater on as it's gas.

[Ian Hulley]

Don't have rear heater on as it's gas.

Eh ?

Ian.

[lloyd]

Don't have rear heater on as it's gas.

Eh ?

Ian.

Camper's rear heater mate.

Only use coolant heater.. one in the dash.. Not gas night heater.

[Ian Hulley]

Don't have rear heater on as it's gas.

Eh ?

Ian.

Camper's rear heater mate.

Only use coolant heater.. one in the dash.. Not gas night heater.

I thought from reading your post you had a rear heater (as fitted to Velles) but couldn't use it because you run on gas

Ian.

[lloyd]

No velle heater. Leave fan off for a mile, on low fan for another mile or so until gauge shows normal temp, then turn up the fan. Blows plenty of heat for front seats.

[CovKid]

My Velle has the plastic moulded heat transfer unit that fits between front seats. I removed it over winter to give more heat up front. Also, Frank at Frank's Bus Parts always had a curtain between front and rear when weather was cold. Lets be honest, we're not heating a mini here. Its a big space and a lot of cold metal. With an engine stone cold in these kind of temperatures, the standard Beetle bobble-hat and scarf regalia may be whats needed.

[lloyd]

When really cold, I block the venting between seats so all head dumps in front too. Forgot to mention that.

[CovKid]

Another surprising way to demist and take the edge off a cold interior is two hot water bottles on the dash half an hour before you set off!