Identify these parts…..

Hi all,

I have finally had some time to do a few jobs on my 88. I’ve given the heating system a bit of a service; stripping down the levers and sleeved cables, freed up the lower cabin flaps (it’s got a replacement series 3 bulkhead and dashboard), replaced the hoses to the defrost vents on top of dash etc. I’ve also given the heater matrix and feed/return pipes a really good flush through so it’s running clear and at a decent flow rate. Thing is it still doesn’t kick out much heat and I’ve noticed on the matrix the lower back pipe isn’t getting that hot but the upper front one is.

I’ve circled a part on the photo in blue which is the actuator from the lever in the car for hot/cold. It is now moving freely but I’m not convinced this controller from the cooling system is getting much flow through it when open ie feeding or returning from the heater matrix. I’d like to strip it down and/or replace it but don’t know what to search for to see how to do this. Anyone know the correct terminology for it?

Next up is the item I’ve circled in red on top of the engine - is it some kind of oil breather? It has a braided hose (shown as a dotted red line) coming out of it but the end of this hose isn’t fixed to anything. Should it be? If so what and where?

Thanks.

Have you back washed the heater matrix?
Don’t apply too much pressure.

remove the pipe from the heater controller (blue circle) and run the engine to see if it’s flowing. Open/close the arm where the cable attaches.
Does the return have a tap or just a spur connection?

Hicap phill said:

Have you back washed the heater matrix?
Don’t apply too much pressure.

remove the pipe from the heater controller (blue circle) and run the engine to see if it’s flowing. Open/close the arm where the cable attaches.
Does the return have a tap or just a spur connection?

Click to expand...

Thanks, yes I only flushed it one way but I’ll do it both ways tomorrow. I’ll also check the operation of opening & closing the valve with the pipe removed as you’ve suggested to see if that’s working properly - out of interest what kind of flow rate should be coming through compared to say a hose pipe - squirt or steady trickle??

Frustrated Seriesist said:

Thanks, yes I only flushed it one way but I’ll do it both ways tomorrow. I’ll also check the operation of opening & closing the valve with the pipe removed as you’ve suggested to see if that’s working properly - out of interest what kind of flow rate should be coming through compared to say a hose pipe - squirt or steady trickle??

Click to expand...

It should be under pressure (from the front valve )as it’s above the water pump.

So I have flushed the pipes and matrix both ways, I took off the heater water valve and this is also running clear.

Whole system is connected and all connections are tight - with the exception of the small hose into the heater water valve - I was still only getting a small trickle.

Edited to add - I forgot I needed to rev the engine to speed up the water pump - nice big squirts now!!!!

Fingers crossed it will be nice and toasty when I give it a run.

Frustrated Seriesist said:

Fingers crossed it will be nice and toasty when I give it a run.

Click to expand...

haha only if you open the windows!

This is mine hoses most likely vacuum and breather

steve2286w said:

haha only if you open the windows!

Click to expand...

You are probably right!