Is there a heater common fault? (TD5)

Hi all,

I know the heaters in Defenders are renowned for being rubbish - but up-until now I have been quite lucky.

However - my "new" 1999 TD5 110 has ZERO heat - the fan blow a gale, but nothing, I have looked at the mechanism, the cable to the heater unit seems to be doing its job, just no heat.

Are there any common issues I should look, squeeze, rinse, drain and flush etc etc before sending the beast in to the pros?

Mike

The thermostat on the engine might be stuck closed.

DefenderPilot said:

The thermostat on the engine might be stuck closed.

Click to expand...

Thanks pal - where is it then and Ill have a word??

Defo sounds like the thermostat
But also check not only the hot cold cable but also speed control link which has a cable that initially opens a flap within the heater assy by the matrix

Is the engine getting up to temp ok?

Check coolent level, mine dropped too low I like you lost all heat from the blowers.

Topped it back to correct level and came back to life.

also had a issue with thermostat a few years ago, took ages to get up to temp and would loose it whilst sat in traffic - if you need to replace go for a genuine part. I made this mistake and had to change it twice!!

HTH

It's worth checking your antifreeze strength too
If ya haven't got one get a cheap tester it's better than a buggered engine
I'm shocked how many folk guess the mix
Remember too strong is bad as is too weak and don't forget pure antifreeze will freeze no problem

"I know the heaters in Defenders are renowned for being rubbish"

Only by people who don't know how to set them up.

Assuming your coolant level is correct, the thermostat is doing its job and the matrix isn't just blocked then the main culprit will be the cable operating the mixer flap in the heater-box itself. Just because the lever it moving it doesn't mean the flap is doing the same as quite often the cable inner & outer are seized and move together resulting in a lever that moves ok but zero movement at the flap. Are you getting any air-flow at all (even cold) because if not, the shut-off flap will be closed.
The heater is simplicity itself and as soon as you see how they work you instantly see how they can fail yet a few minutes checking & adjusting cables results in a heater that is very effective without having to resort to rad muffs, aux heaters etc.

Are the feed pipes getting hot?

Any joy with sorting this?