Freelander 1 Heater

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layfin

Active Member
Posts
148
Location
Ireland
Hi All.

The heater on my 2001 Freelander 1 Diesel is not working. The Fan is fine and the Temp Guage goes about half way up. Where should I start looking for the problem.

Regards.

Chris.
 
How does the dial feel when turned from hot to cold. What preceded it.
If the temp needle reads half way up this weather without a FBH, I would check the coolant
 
The dial seems the same as it always did. Excuse my ignorance, but what is FBH ?. Coolant level is normal.
 
FBH is a fuel burning heater, bit like a micro central heating boiler, used to defrost the screen, pre heat cabin, and lets the temp needle go past 7 o clock.
If it has just stopped working, you will notice a HUGE difference. But I do not see how your temp gauge goes up to half way without one. that combined with low cabin heater temp, says low coolant to me first off. Have had several that would not go up to half way in summer. Look at the N/S wheelarch liner just ahead of the front wheel there is a hole, if there is a mini exhaust pipe there facing downhill, you have one.What happens when you turn A/C on.
 
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Will do. Will check the Temp reading again tomorrow just to be sure. Heater was working fine until recently and I have it 12 years.
 
12 years. Have you actively kept the engine serviced, EGR, PCV etc.
When it gets hot feel the heater matrix hoses that go in and out of the bulkhead, to see if the one that comes out is as hot as the one that goes in.
If the return hose is cold, the centre console will have to come out I would say.
 
Hi All.

The heater on my 2001 Freelander 1 Diesel is not working. The Fan is fine and the Temp Guage goes about half way up. Where should I start looking for the problem.

Regards.

Chris.

Thermostat sticking open is a common problem on the TD4.
 
Rechecked the Temp Gauge this morning. Half way up after about 10 mins ticking over. Coolant level is fine. The top pipe going through the bulk head (with bleed screw) is only barley luke warm, the bottom pipe is stone cold. Coolant flowing freely at the bleed screw.

Yes, the Freelander is serviced every 10k miles by my local garage. They would not be specialists in any particular Make of car, but are very efficient. This is the first bit of trouble I have had in the last 12 years. Fantastic little motor.

I also have a 14 year old X Type Jag and a 40 year old Series 111 FFR. All running like clockwork as well as a few vintage Triumph and Royal Enfield Bikes.
 
Is it possible to flush the heater matrix? I used to have a puegeot 405 did this periodicall. It was possible to disconnect the two pipes going through bulk head then flush each way with garden hosepipe until all the crud ran out clear.
 
Coolant level is fine. The top pipe going through the bulk head (with bleed screw) is only barley luke warm, the bottom pipe is stone cold. Coolant flowing freely at the bleed screw.

Check to see if the heater pipes are folded or kinked. This can happen as the hoses soften with age.

Also the heater matrix can sludge up, but that only happens if just water has been used in the cooling system.

If the coolant is clear and the heater hoses aren't kinked, then it's likely the thermostat isn't seating tight enough to circulate coolant through the heater matrix.
 
Will flush it out and try that. Would always have only used Coolant, however, would have topped it up with just water if required. May have diluted the coolant a bit too much.
 
Nice that it was an easy diagnosis and fix. Still intrigued by your "half way up after ticking over for 10 mins" You must have a FBH. Still working after 12 years at least without a service.
 
Nice that it was an easy diagnosis and fix. Still intrigued by your "half way up after ticking over for 10 mins" You must have a FBH. Still working after 12 years at least without a service.

Mine's takes 10 minutes of driving to get up to normal running temp. My FBH fires up when needed or when I want to fire it up for some extra heat. :)
 
Dont know, however, I have just come back from a run and the Temp Gauge reached midway after only a few miles from stone cold. Heater working spot on. As already mentioned, fantastic little motor. Hope to get many more years out of it.
 
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