heater blower - what is 'normal' ?

[nicoth]

on my 1984 EXCEL The heater doesn't really ever heat up in cold weather.... and in the summer the fan fails to cool the interior.
The motor whirrs but little in the way of air movement through the vents.
Are heaters / coolers normally quite effective or shouldn't I expect too much ? don want to go pulling everything apart without a little advice.
thanks in advance.

[Alan_M]

This might be helpful.

viewtopic.php?f=33&t=10580

[richardw]

As yours is a 1984 model, it probably has the S2 Elite/Eclat heater. If you don't have the late interior then this will be the case. You have two blower motors, one each side of the unit behoind the dash binnacle and glovebox respectively. You should hear them both whirring at slow and full speed.

If they are and you're not getting much through the centre air vents (adjust the air distribution control to see if it makes any difference, also check the demist vents), you probably need to check the heater vacuum control system is working OK. The vacuum pipe is routed from the manifold, via the nearside headlamp recess (at least on my Elite) then to a vacuum reservoir in the recess behind the passenger footwell kick panel. From there there is a pipe to the heater unit, to access which you will need to remove the centre console switch/radio panel. I can post a simple diagram showing the vacuum pipework to the heater if you need. You also need to check that the vacuum actuators are working - these control the air distribution valves.

Finally (and probably first!) check there is no blockage from the plenum intake chamber!

Good luck

Richard

[nicoth]

As yours is a 1984 model, it probably has the S2 Elite/Eclat heater. If you don't have the late interior then this will be the case. You have two blower motors, one each side of the unit behoind the dash binnacle and glovebox respectively. You should hear them both whirring at slow and full speed.

If they are and you're not getting much through the centre air vents (adjust the air distribution control to see if it makes any difference, also check the demist vents), you probably need to check the heater vacuum control system is working OK. The vacuum pipe is routed from the manifold, via the nearside headlamp recess (at least on my Elite) then to a vacuum reservoir in the recess behind the passenger footwell kick panel. From there there is a pipe to the heater unit, to access which you will need to remove the centre console switch/radio panel. I can post a simple diagram showing the vacuum pipework to the heater if you need. You also need to check that the vacuum actuators are working - these control the air distribution valves.

Finally (and probably first!) check there is no blockage from the plenum intake chamber!

Good luck

Richard

Hi ( I'm new to this site so not sure if this is how to reply )
Thanks for the info - would love a diagram if you have one .. all sounds a bit serious!

Nic

[nicoth]

This might be helpful.

viewtopic.php?f=33&t=10580

thank you much appreciated.

Nic

[richardw]

As yours is a 1984 model, it probably has the S2 Elite/Eclat heater. If you don't have the late interior then this will be the case. You have two blower motors, one each side of the unit behoind the dash binnacle and glovebox respectively. You should hear them both whirring at slow and full speed.

If they are and you're not getting much through the centre air vents (adjust the air distribution control to see if it makes any difference, also check the demist vents), you probably need to check the heater vacuum control system is working OK. The vacuum pipe is routed from the manifold, via the nearside headlamp recess (at least on my Elite) then to a vacuum reservoir in the recess behind the passenger footwell kick panel. From there there is a pipe to the heater unit, to access which you will need to remove the centre console switch/radio panel. I can post a simple diagram showing the vacuum pipework to the heater if you need. You also need to check that the vacuum actuators are working - these control the air distribution valves.

Finally (and probably first!) check there is no blockage from the plenum intake chamber!

Good luck

Richard

Hi ( I'm new to this site so not sure if this is how to reply )
Thanks for the info - would love a diagram if you have one .. all sounds a bit serious!

Nic

Yes, the vacuum system does sound weird but its actually not that difficult to understand. First off check that the vacuum pipes you can see without dismantling anything are connected. The pipe to the reservoir (via the n/s headlamp recess) comes from the inlet manifold. The pipe from the reservoir to the heater is a stiff small bore pvc pipe - same as those fitted to BMC cars as distributor vacuum pipes, if you ever came across them.

[nicoth]

thanks.
I'll get my overalls on at the weekend and have a root about. I've put up with being cold in it all winter - now i'm going to get too hot all summer unless I sort it out.
I tend to only sort out things that are needed for mot's .. time to be brave!