Hand heater control

timwatsham · Post by **timwatsham** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 6:20 pm

My heater is stuck in the max on position no matter what I do to the lever on the floor. This was fine in winter, but bloody hell it gets stuffy and hot now!

What do I need to do to sort this? is it difficult? Do I need ramps to get the car up in the air?

Be grateful for any advice!

Cheers...

Gary71 · Post by **Gary71** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 7:00 pm

Hi,

Your heater valves at the back will be stuck shut, normally flaky rust builds up on the flap and eventually the spring can't pull them open.

You can get to the flap with a large flat blade screwdriver and force them open for the summer whilst summoning the courage to take them off!

When you do come to take them off soak the fixing nuts in WD40 before you attempt removal, or they may only be held on by one after you've finished. Ask me how I know...

This is the offending item.

When you get them off strip them right down and clean up the back of the flap as well, make sure the shaft is free running, a bit of time with a wire brush and a coat of hammerite and back on!

This is where to find them

Good luck

timwatsham · Post by **timwatsham** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 2:55 pm

Thanks Gary, think that is a project for the forthcoming weekend...

Cheers

DamianF · Post by **DamianF** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 3:25 pm

Gary

dumb question... - what angle is that photo from - i.e. how do I access the heater box?

I think my driver's side one is stuck, makes things a little uncomfortable on hot days!

thanks
Damian

Gary71 · Post by **Gary71** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 3:33 pm

Hi Damian,

Camera was laying on the floor looking straight up.

With a foot long screwdriver you can reach in from the front of the rear wheel arch and get to the flaps, it helps if you can get under there with a torch first to visualise what you are poking at

Follow the damper up with your hand and you should find it

Nige · Post by **Nige** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 3:43 pm

cable might have snapped as well, I give mine a good spray of waxoil from time to time, smells abit for a few days but it stops them seizing up.

DamianF · Post by **DamianF** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 4:02 pm

cheers Gary

I wonder if this is the only website that can discuss the taking of photos of flaps from underneath without fear of legal repercussions?!

DF

Bertroex · Post by **Bertroex** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 12:30 am

DamianF wrote:cheers Gary

I wonder if this is the only website that can discuss the taking of photos of flaps from underneath without fear of legal repercussions?!

DF

Probably

timwatsham · Post by **timwatsham** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 3:23 pm

HELP!

I've just been underneath the car to get this sorted and it appears that the flaps are actually permanently open as the cable isn't pulling them closed. Yet I am getting loads of hot air coming through.

Can't work this out... Can anyone help - bit desperate as I'm off to Italy on Sunday for 2 weeks with the car and don't really want to roast all the time. I was hoping to get everything sorted this afternoon whilst I was at work and can get the car up in the air...

PLEASE GIVE ME SOME IDEAS!!!

Thanks

Tim

FMAN · Post by **FMAN** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 3:46 pm

Tim,

Normally I would let someone who knows what they are talking about answer this, but you are obviously pushed for time and nobody else seems to be answering.
I am told that the way these valves work is the spring opens the external flaps that you can see, but also there is an internal flap which prevents the hot air going through into the car. Looking at the photo I wonder if it is part of the rotating valve and has rusted away. Try feeling around inside and see if you find anything.
The alternative is to remove the air pipe and secure it nearby and blank off the inlet to the car, the disadvantage is that you will never get any hot air but then again if your valve is not working it seems like it is an all or nothing approach. I don’t know how hot the air is coming out of the pipe but think about where it is pointing after it has been disconnected.

Good Luck

Neil..

timwatsham · Post by **timwatsham** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 6:14 pm

Thanks Neil - you were basically right... I called Alan.UK up and asked him too - I went back underneath and the valves, although open, weren't opening far enough and hence hot air was still entering through from the exhaust. I got my hand inside and pushed them fully shut, have just taken it for a spin and hey presto - no hot air!

Really relived... I've sorted that and put a stereo in today which were the "do or else" list from my girlfriend otherwise we had to take the 5 series down to the alps for 2 weeks... Now we can take the Porsche!