Heat From Below Steering Column

I bought my 1996 300tdi ES in November last year. In February the heater matrix failed and I had it replaced - I chickened out of the dashboard removal.

Since the end of the cold winter I have been aware of heat coming from the fuse panel area etc below the steering wheel and dashboard. This happens when the heating controls are set to cold and regardless of whether footwell, windscreen or any other outlet is selected. I am guessing that this is the result of heat in the pipes from the engine to the matrix, but that implies that there is still flow through the matrix.

I believe that earlier versions had a manually operated valve to isolate the heater, but that this isn't fitted on my engine. Am I missing something or is there a problem?

Nick F

That's right u have an air blending system the heat ouput and direction is controlled by flaps, the matrix is always hot.

I would suggest that one of the flaps if not full functioning.

RRC and 200 disco had valves and a vacuum control.

It's possible that you have a leak of hot air from the heater matrix thro a badly made joint in the air ducting or heater casing next to the matrix.
What he ^^^^ says about the heater is right, no control valve on a 300tdi, heater up to coolant temperature all the time

Thank you both for the info, that narrows down my search. Checking more carefully, the air outlet position control does not rotate fully in one direction. I am guessing that there is a cable or linkage from the control knob to the air blending unit that needs adjusting.

I will dig around under the dashboard at the weekend.

Nick F