Club 80-90 Forums

Hi all! Having just driven my van in the cold autumn/ winter months for the very fist time (it was off the road during winter last year) I've just found out how numbingly cold it is in the cab without a working dashboard heater! Considering I'm meant to be driving my very little niece and her mum and dad away on a little holiday for the new year, I've decided it's probably about time I got round to to sorting something out! I'm not fixing the dashboard now, no time/ money, but do have an alternative heater that I might be able to get working. So, bit of a general inquiry as to where to start with this one! i.e. the heater shown that sits underneath the rear seats to heat my cab is broken, but no idea in what way.

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So, where should I start, to try and work it out? The guy I bought my van off of said it was a problem with the heater itself. Should I start by testing the van circuitry with a meter, then if that all checks out move on to the heater? Fairly certain it's not an original part, hence not sure where to information on how to repair it/ whether I should bother!

Sorry for the vague nature of the enquiry, any help you can offer would be great.

That is original - but can't help as mine was already removed when I got my van.

There is no a lot to it.there is a radiator and a fan. See if either bearing shot/rusted or the blades are catching give the fan a spin to see if it moves freely. If the fan doesn't go when voltage (12V fused preferably) is applied it's more than likely the motor is burnt out but give it a go. im not sure on polarity, I guess the fan will run backwards if the +- are the wrong way around make a note if it does for when you install properly. coolant comes from the 19mm hose that comes from the thermostat would plumb it in series on the pipe that runs to the front and out to the same pipe. This does mean you will need a working coolant valve for the front heater (above spare wheel) this is the valve that opens when you move the slider on the dash.

My hoses are in parallel so you don't need to have the front on.(I've just checked as I am starting an engine transplant and can get at it.)
Ideally the copper pipe needs a stop valve in it but my front heater works perfectly without.

Update OK I see from the pics the plumbing is in place, a length of copper has been put in to bypass the heater, why do this? the only reason I can think of is that the radiator is maybe split and leaking coolant.

Oldiebut goodie wrote:My hoses are in parallel so you don't need to have the front on.(I've just checked as I am starting an engine transplant and can get at it.)
Ideally the copper pipe needs a stop valve in it but my front heater works perfectly without.

Yes actually if there's a problem with the front parallel would make more sense.

It's partly the search for storage space and partly due to the core leaking I should think. That heater box needs a leak test before tackling the electrics side.

Ok grand, thanks for the tips. So... check for leaks first, then check bearings, then try giving it a spin, and fit a stop valve while I'm at it. I shall commence by the weekend and let you know how I get on.

you may have a stop valve already the silver connector on the copper looks like it may have a cut off valve in it.

Yes you are right, you've examined my heater more closely than me and I've got it right here staring me in the face.

Ok, poured some water in and the heater box doesn't appear to be leaking, but the stop valve does. The fan turns ok but doesn't 'spin', it's quite stiff but this might just be because it's not been used for quite a while? Not applied a voltage yet, just grab a couple cables & try it on the van battery I take it?

No don't just apply a voltage if the fan does not spin finger freely you will just cause either the fuse to blow or more likely the motor components to overheat at the same time probably causing irreparable damage. Strip it down & lubricate first.

ok, thanks

Does anyone know how to take this apart? The motor looks like it wants to be pulled out of the casing due to plastic clips holding it there, but it can't because of the fan blade. Which would suggest it it can only be popped out by pushing it into the casing? No bolts/ screws that I can see to be undone to take off the fan blade.

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Just lubricate it in place with a bit of WD40 I guess? Or no?...

Ah, I read the wiki.