Range Rover Heater

Heater in my Range Rover has started to blow cold.

All eletrickery bits seem to work fine (fan motor runs, but blows cold
air).

Water system is full (but does lose about a pint a month, so airlocks
a possibility.

AFAICS heater matrix is supplied by a couple of pipes off the back
ofthe engine which run through the bulkhead. HBOL shows these as atwo
short S shaped pieces.

Mine are a little different as the onlet and outlet unions on the
bulkhead are connected to an approximately 12" piece of rubber tube
which goes to a steel u-bend which turns the the pipe through 180
degrees. Another 12" ish piece of rubber pipe then connects to the
engine block. There are two of these pipe assemblies (presumably in
and out). There are 2 jubilees clips on each u-bend to secure the
rubber pipes. I'm not convinced this arrangement is very "factory".

Both these pipes feel hot.

My currecnt thinking is possibly an air-lock, so I will try
disconnecting the rubber hoses and see if I can bleed any air out.
Presumably, if I manage to work out which is the hearter return to the
engine, I should be able to disconnectthat hose, turn the engine over
and see a steady flow of water returning from the heater matrix?

Is the heater matrix flow only active when the thermostat is open, or
should water flow even when the engine is cold?

What does the hot cold lever in the cabine actually do? Does operate a
valve which stops the flow of water through the heater matrix. My leve
is very free, I can see the lever end of the control cable moving, but
has anyone experinced the other end of the cable failing or coming
loose from the (presumed) valve so the valve does not open.

Anyone experienced anything similar?

Thanks for reading.

David

In message <[email protected]>, rads
<[email protected]> writes
>Heater in my Range Rover has started to blow cold.
>Water system is full (but does lose about a pint a month, so airlocks
>a possibility.
>
Airlock most likely
>AFAICS heater matrix is supplied by a couple of pipes off the back
>ofthe engine which run through the bulkhead. HBOL shows these as atwo
>short S shaped pieces.
That's correct
>
>Mine are a little different as the onlet and outlet unions on the
<snip convoluted pipework!>
>rubber pipes. I'm not convinced this arrangement is very "factory".
Throw 'em out! Sounds a good place to have an air lock if nothing else.
>
>Both these pipes feel hot.
>
>My currecnt thinking is possibly an air-lock, so I will try
>disconnecting the rubber hoses and see if I can bleed any air out.
Best start
>Presumably, if I manage to work out which is the hearter return to the
>engine, I should be able to disconnectthat hose, turn the engine over
>and see a steady flow of water returning from the heater matrix?
As your engine coolant drops rapidly and you get soaked! Only proves
flow ... doesn't prove that the matrix isn't 99% blocked.
>
>Is the heater matrix flow only active when the thermostat is open, or
>should water flow even when the engine is cold?
Permanently active. No valves.
>
>What does the hot cold lever in the cabine actually do?
Just an air flap lever.

Is this an early efi or an standard v8? If efi there is a set method of
filling specifically to avoid airlocks using the filling 'tower' on the
coolant system (just to the left of the block, the sticky-up pipe bit!)
rather than filling through the header tank or the radiator.
Could just be that the heater matrix is gunged up ... you could try
flushing in situ by taking off both pipes and hitting it with a hose but
if you make it leak you'll have to rip the heater out anyway ... a
flushing agent might work but they can also generate leaks ... you pays
your money ... take the airlock route first.
--
AndyG

On Thu, 28 Jul 2005 10:48:03 +0100, AJG <[email protected]> wrote:

>In message <[email protected]>, rads
><[email protected]> writes
>>Heater in my Range Rover has started to blow cold.

>
>Is this an early efi or an standard v8? If efi there is a set method of
>filling specifically to avoid airlocks using the filling 'tower' on the
>coolant system (just to the left of the block, the sticky-up pipe bit!)
>rather than filling through the header tank or the radiator.

Is early (possibly very early) efi.

Dont think I have a filling "tower". Anyone got a pic. or a full
description of what I am looking for?

TIA

David

On or around Thu, 28 Jul 2005 08:20:45 GMT, rads
<[email protected]> enlightened us thusly:

>Heater in my Range Rover has started to blow cold.
>

try reversing the flow through the heater. it shouldn't work, but sometimes
it does.

--
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