Wazzajnr · Sep 23, 2016

Well into my trip back to blighty.
All good and well so far.
Before I set off, checked the tyre pressure and found that the back was to spec, but the front was also at 38psi decided to set to the 28 the book says. Seems to be a bit more gentle but mpg down by about 1 to 21mpg at mainly 80mph. Might try putting fronts back to 38 for the final leg see if the mpg goes back to 22.
I'm afraid to say, I've got the bug!! I love driving this thing. No, it isn't quick. It's on a par with the merc for comfort but you just get a feeling I can't quite describe when driving it.
. Anyway, as it's now getting a bit colder in the mornings, I've recently tried the heated seats. Light goes on on switch but my butt stays positively chilly (waits for sarcy comments) I'm guessing this is a faulty heater mat in the seat. Has anyone replaced one? Is it easy? Is it costly?

martyuk · Sep 23, 2016

Yes, the heated seats are notorious for not working.

The problem is the heater element mat that is installed has the elements running between the metal retiaining wires that hold the leather cover to the foam cushion... Over time it means that the elements get brittle and break.
I've heard that there are replacement mats you can get, but I do a repair service where I cut out the faulty sections of heater element, and then re-join it with standard copper wire, which I run UNDER the metal retaining wires, so it can't get crushed between then and suffer the same fate as the original elements.

I also offer the option of uprating the thermostat from 35 deg C cutout, to 50deg C cutout. A guy on rangerovers.net did an experiment with them on current loadings/heat output etc and found that 50degrees was warmer than standard, but wouldn't overload the wiring, even if it was left on.

I generally do a seat repair for £35/seat - and an extra £5 for the uprated thermostats. It isn't a difficult job, but a bit time consuming as you have to separate the seat back from the back, and then the cushion from the base - not particularly hard work - just needs a bit of time an patience.

There is a writeup on the main rangerovers.net home page (not the forum part) which shows the detail of doing the repair.

Hope this helps,
Marty

Wazzajnr · Sep 23, 2016

Cheers Marty. If I happen down your way, I might get you to do it. How long would it take you? Not sure if the wife will have a cold bum as I've not checked passenger side as yet but I guess the passenger side is less likely to fail due to less seating??? Needless to say, if I'm entitled to a hot arse, she will expect one too so it could be 2 need doing!!!!

*Edit. It's not currently top of my priority list!!!!!

martyuk · Sep 24, 2016

I'll let you know how long it takes after this weekend... I've got a guy coming down from York to get his done today... It depends on how many breaks there are, but I would say a pair of seats is a good afternoon's work. it takes longer to pull the seat apart and put if back together than it does fixing the elements most of the time!

No rush at all - if you want them done, then I'm happy to do them - as and when I am home around my normal job aswell that is!

I'll let you know how I get on today with the seats so I can give a rough amount of time it takes..

Ruby Range · Sep 24, 2016

Did mine a couple of months ago after I had the same problem. Took the seats out only to find someone else had been in a butchered the seat clips and ripped the elements out completely

Found a set of seat basis at a local breakers and fitted them. The Hog clips are a pain in the **** and so I replaced them with small zip ties. Bum lovely and toasty and only took an afternoon to do both.

Grrrrrr · Sep 24, 2016

PM BikeTeacherDave. He has a How To using uprated stats off eBay so you can really toast your ass.

martyuk · Sep 24, 2016

I offer the 50 degree stats, and after sitting in one of the ones I repaired today, am even more wishing I had done them to mine 4 years ago when I fixed the seat heater elements

@Wazzajnr - I did both heated seats, including fitting uprated stats in a few hours - I didn't keep a full track of the time, as I've also swapped an EAS driver pack, re-ran a new bleed hose from radiator to header tank, swapped faulty window switchpack out for one of my repaired ones, replaced both front door latches and troubleshooted a very strange EAS fault! - But in amongst that, did manage to get both seats out, apart, repaired, and refitted.

Marty

Grrrrrr · Sep 25, 2016

martyuk said:
I offer the 50 degree stats, and after sitting in one of the ones I repaired today, am even more wishing I had done them to mine 4 years ago when I fixed the seat heater elements

Marty

You are back in the UK tinkering?

martyuk · Sep 25, 2016

Grrrrrr said:
You are back in the UK tinkering?

I am for a couple of weeks, yes... then head away for work again at the start of October for a fortnight - then about again until mid-November... then I'll next be able to tinker in January - will be a bit cooler then!!

Grrrrrr · Sep 25, 2016

martyuk said:
I am for a couple of weeks, yes... then head away for work again at the start of October for a fortnight - then about again until mid-November... then I'll next be able to tinker in January - will be a bit cooler then!!

How are the projects coming on?

martyuk · Sep 25, 2016

Slowly.... I've been working on a few ideas - mostly for my DSP replacement amp unit, and integrating sat nav. I've upgraded my in-dash nav to an all-in-one Android unit - which is lovely, and works with the steering wheel controls... and now looking into getting a short engine to build up as I found I have leaking core plugs on my block, which was a surprise when I was under there swapping the radius arms...

I've now got a 20T press and the tool to press the proper radius arm bushes in/out - which is nice.. Have got 2 BECMs to look at this, week, along with another one on it's way from France to unlock. Few door latches to finish building, and then about 6 switchpacks to repair and a couple of HEVACs... no rest for the wicked!!

I'm looking forward to getting the engine block sorted, and I'll get the spare set of heads I have tested/skimmed at an engineering place locally, and then I can have fun building the engine up to swap over - hopefully at the end of October/start of November before I go away again...

And just to keep the thread on-topic... I'm sorely tempted to pull my seats out again too and fit the higher temp thermostats, now I've sat in one of the seats today which I did for the owners yesterday... definitely makes a difference!!

Have you done anything more to yours since I saw you, or just been enjoying it?

biketeacherdave · Sep 25, 2016

Yep iv got a write up some where or try looking at my old posts as I'm off to the west country for a few days and yes I'm taking the rangie

biketeacherdave · Sep 25, 2016

https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/my-newly-fixed-and-uprated-heated-seats.272742/

Grrrrrr · Sep 25, 2016

martyuk said:
now looking into getting a short engine to build up as I found I have leaking core plugs on my block, which was a surprise when I was under there swapping the radius arms...

No! nasty.

martyuk said:
I've now got a 20T press and the tool to press the proper radius arm bushes in/out - which is nice..

Noted!

martyuk said:
Have you done anything more to yours since I saw you, or just been enjoying it?

Just enjoying it!

I tracked down my mystery oil leak to the breather filter thingy on the top front left of my engine. Bit of gaffer tape sorted that and it hasn't leaked since!

I've got the parts to upgrade my alternator and replace the brake lines but haven't got around to it as I've had other more urgent matters. No doubt it is just waiting for the weather to get REALLY nasty before letting me down!

RubyRR · Oct 16, 2016

I might chuck a couple your way Marty. Have you figured out a way to switch between 35/50C in use? Just to be difficult!

Grrrrrr · Oct 16, 2016

RubyRR said:
I might chuck a couple your way Marty. Have you figured out a way to switch between 35/50C in use? Just to be difficult!

Would some sort of inline potentiometer on a wire down the side of the seat work? You could then have whatever temperature seats you wanted.

wammers · Oct 16, 2016

Grrrrrr said:
Would some sort of inline potentiometer on a wire down the side of the seat work? You could then have whatever temperature seats you wanted.

They are a lot easier to set fire to with a little lighter fluid and a match.

Doo · Oct 17, 2016

Ok, so how much of a mare is it to put in heated seats to a car that currently doesn't have them (and therefore would need the BeCM to be ordered to make them operate)... Sat in George on Saturday and was damn cold for ages, more so lower back than my butt

Grrrrrr · Oct 17, 2016

Doo said:
Ok, so how much of a mare is it to put in heated seats to a car that currently doesn't have them (and therefore would need the BeCM to be ordered to make them operate)... Sat in George on Saturday and was damn cold for ages, more so lower back than my butt

I don't think the BECM needs anything. Just check the looms are there. I think they are. Mine's a DT with lowline BECM and it has heated seats.

wammers · Oct 17, 2016

Doo said:
Ok, so how much of a mare is it to put in heated seats to a car that currently doesn't have them (and therefore would need the BeCM to be ordered to make them operate)... Sat in George on Saturday and was damn cold for ages, more so lower back than my butt

Make life easy for yourself and get one of the heated seat covers off Ebay.

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