Checking heater and ventilator output

The flow of air into the car can be blocked by leaves or
Road debris in the supply tubes or the plenum chamber.

Heater/ventilator system

The plenum chamber is a box fitted on the bulkhead beneath the windscreen. It takes in fresh air from a grille on the outside of the car.

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Inside the chamber, movable flaps connected by cables to the heating and
Ventilation controls of the car divide and direct the air to the different parts of the interior.

Incoming air is warmed by passing it over the fins of a small radiator,
Called a matrix, which takes hot water from the engine. The matrix is usually inside or next to the plenum chamber.

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Sometimes the supply tubes slip off their connections,
Or the interior lining of a tube may collapse and block it.

There is usually a simple valve at the base of the plenum chamber which allows water to
Drip out — either through a flap or a rubber tube with lips that just touch each other.
Remove the valve or the tube to clear leaves or debris from the chamber.

To check the trunking, pull it off in sections and look through it.
If it is a loose fit on its connector stub,
Push the trunking well home then bind the joint with sticky tape.

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Alternatively, use tape to build up the stub, which will then make a tighter fit with the tube. Trunking that is loose-fitting reduces the efficiency of the heating or ventilation.

An incorrect flow of water through the heater matrix may be due to stretching in a cable that operates a water valve on the engine.

Ask a helper to work the hot-cold lever in the car while you check that the lever on the
Valve is turning through its full travel.

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A kink in the heater hoses can also restrict the water flow.

If a hose feels squashy it may have collapsed internally and should be replaced.

An airlock in the heater system or a build-up of sludge in the matrix,
Also, reduces heating efficiency.

Disconnect the heater-return hose at the bottom of the heater or at the water pump and
Run the engine. There should be a good flush of water. A trickle means the matrix is blocked.

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Clearing debris from a plenum chamber

First, remove the plenum-chamber drain valve by slackening the hose clip. With the valve removed, tip out any debris blocking the valve and clear the drain tub. This type drains into the engine bay.

The lips of the valve are shaped;
So, that they remain closed when water is not draining through them. Flick open the lips of the valve to see that they close. If they do not, replace the valve and hose clip.

Checking air and water flow

Air is forced into the car by road speed or sucked in by blower.
Normally, fresh air enters through a grille in the front of the windscreen,
And its deducted into the plenum chamber. The chamber channels some through the heater matrix. Stale air is removed through the extractors at the rear. Part of the airflow can be deflected to demist or defrost the windscreen.

To check the demist vents, tape narrow strips of tissue paper to the vents. Switch on ‘demist’ and then ‘defrost’ with the blower switched on. Both strips should be blown upright. If they are not – or if only one move – make sure the trunking from the heater box is firmly connected at both ends. Reconnect any that have slipped off.

An external water valve controls the flow of hot water to the heater. Make sure its operating lever can turn easily through its range.

Check the tightness and adjustment of the operating cables and linkages.
Check for leaks at the hose connections. Follow the hoses through to the heater,
And look for signs of rubbing, kinks, cracking or spongy areas.

If you need to change a section,
Take the old length along to the spares shop and buy one the same size.
There are many variations in diameters and
Fittings depending on the make, model and year of your car. It is possible to flush the heater matrix without removing,
It from the car – which may sometimes be difficult. Disconnect both heater hoses at the engine end. The water that pours put can then be directed away from the engine.
Move the heater control to hot’, then connect a garden hose to the return pipe;
The one attached to the radiator bottom hose or water Dump.

Turn on the tap and flush the matrix until water collected in a jam jar is free of sediment. Repeat with the garden hose connected to the feed pipe.

If an airlock is restricting the flow of water, bleed the whole system.
Disconnect the return hose at its most convenient end,
Top up the radiator and start the engine.

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