Mi16 Heater Issues

[Edp 67 3 Cars]

Advice required for a 205 mi16 please.

 

After moth-balling my 205 over the winter I thought I'd roll her out and get it prepared for the road. Once running and hot I noticed the interior fan wasn't blowing hot air just cold. So I checked the coolant level which was fine however the water was a red rusty colour. I decided to drop the water out and re-fill with new coolant and anti-freeze. I also treated it to a new thermostat.

 

I've now spent about 4 hours in total trying to get hot air out the bastard thing but to no avail. The pipes that feed the heater matrix (which is also new) don't really get hot although the water at the thermostat is Fing boiling and at the rad. The engine fan cuts in and out as it should but it does appear to get hot pretty quick. I've run a hose through the matrix and clear water comes through... I've bled the system using the bleed screw by the heater matrix but the water from here never gets really hot?

 

I've checked the cables which open the various flaps and they all appear to work.

 

Theres no white smoke when driving and no mayo on the dipstick or in the oil cap. There are however bubbles in the header tank.

 

Any ideas chaps as I'm starting to lose the will to live.

 

 

[welshpug 1,657]

has it ever had a heater matrix?

[Edp 67 3 Cars]

Yes mate, it had a new one fitted this time last year.

[j_turnell 137 3 Cars]

Matrix could be blocked especially if the coolant looked rough. Are the metal pipes to the matrix getting hot?

[Edp 67 3 Cars]

I ran a hose pipe through the matrix to make sure it was clear. The pipes aren't getting that hot, not as hot as the rad or the coolant pipes around the thermostat housing. The bottom matrix pipe is getting hotter than the top pipe which has the bleed screw.

[woodymi16 24 2 Cars]

Had the same problem when I fitted a new matrix. Took the car for a thrash up the local dual carriageway and it pushed the air out and has been fine ever since.

[Edp 67 3 Cars]

Sorted. After much swearing and ripping of knuckles I went through each hose one by one to check for a blockage. I removed the hose on the side of the thermostat hosing and found a small piece of black plastic and some orange crud.

 

The hose wasn't completely blocked but once I'd topped up with water and anti-freeze I now have hot air and the coolant dial appears to sit around 90 when driving which is what it did before.

 

Thanks for the input guys