Heater stays cold!

Hi all,

I have a 1999 Freelander 2.0DL with an L series engine. The heater reamains cold most of the time even after a 10 mile journey, especially in the colder weather of these last few days.

Last summer I did the modification to change the coolant flow pipes so that the EGR and heater matrix, etc, are effectively fed in series. I got the method from this forum and I can see this modification is well known here and often suggested to posters with heater problems.

Also last year I replaced the original thermostat housing (usual problem of broken plastic lug left the stat permanently open). I got the replacement from eBay and it has a real replaceable separate thermostat instead of the non-replaceable spring and rubber plunger arrangement as originally fitted to the car.

I can't remember the temperature stamped on the new thermostat (without removing it to look) but I think it may have been 92 degrees.

Is it likely that the problem of no heat could be corrected by replacing the new separate thermostat with a lower temp unit, say 87 or 88 degrees.If so does anyone know the part number of a suitable product from LR, QH or other supplier?

Of course I understand that the heater matrix may be blocked and that could be the problem. So far I haven't flushed this out. However, the coolant flow seems to be okay so I don't think the matrix is blocked.

Do I try to flush the matrix with a standard water hosepipe connected to one end and the other pipe open?

Your comments would be helpful as I am sick of freezing in the car on the way to/from work!

Regards,
Howard

most likely cause is an air lock , freelanders are good at that !!especially the heater matrix can be quite difficult to bleed all the air out of it , needed a couple of goes myself to get it all out .. worth trying anyway

look in the gen q's and A's - i think there is the how to and mod yu can do

I had this prob a few months ago, and found a very simple reason for it - the coolant level had dropped low !! That was it, just topped it up, no prob since.

Check coolant level and top up with engine running and heater running on hot....its the only way I've found to get airlock from matrix.

BTW "high peak" are ye local???

1st one to bleed is located just below the distributor & is a 8mm bolt! You'll access it better if you take the airfilter box off, You can manage it without taking it off, but make sure if its under pressure it does'nt go flying off into your neighbours garden if you unscrew it to much!
The 2nd one is easier & is located on the top heater hose near the bulkhead!
Make sure you have your heater set on HOT when bleeding!

Hi Mad Hat Man,

My Freelander is a 2.0 litre L series diesel, so where do I find the bleed point you say is just below the distributor? I don't have one do I?

The Mad Hat Man said:

1st one to bleed is located just below the distributor & is a 8mm bolt! You'll access it better if you take the airfilter box off, You can manage it without taking it off, but make sure if its under pressure it does'nt go flying off into your neighbours garden if you unscrew it to much!
The 2nd one is easier & is located on the top heater hose near the bulkhead!
Make sure you have your heater set on HOT when bleeding!

Click to expand...

Hmmmmm. Twaddle ?.