New radiator. Windscreen heater not working.

[fieryjack]

Hi all ! Finally found myself a Bongo and joined this site and am in need of a bit of help. Had a new radiator fitted and when my mechanic dropped it off, went out and the needle went up past halfway. Got him back round and followed the coolant fact-sheet, went out and all seemed well. Kept an eye on the coolant level and this seems not to have dropped, but the heater now takes a while to get going, and no matter which mode setting it's on, the air only blows out of the front vents so I can't de-mist the windscreen in the morning. Is there a blockage somewhere or trapped air in the system ? I'm not technically minded by the way, but surprised myself this morning by actually replacing all three wipers !! Not just the rubber bits I might add....Any advice gratefully received, cheers.

[missfixit70]

Check the linkages in the drivers footwell to see if it's operating the changeover flaps



common problem, comes up on a regular basis, that the linkage is broken or disconnected, we just had one on here that didn't have the actuator motor (upper right) or linkage at all




As long as you're sure the coolant has been bled fully & properly, How long does it take to warm up the heaters? is this ticking over on the driveway or driving under load?

[neil/di]

\must agree wirth Kirsty, as Ihad the same problem, the retaing plastic clip had snapped causing the arm to pop out
Neil

[fieryjack]

Thanks for the replies. Checked it out yesterday and sure enough the plastic clip was broken and the metal arm was kinked and had come out of its hole. A little bending and all is now well with full vent flap opening.
Still got an overheating problem tho' so looks like I'm gonna have to follow the factsheet to the letter.
Took a photo of the big black plastic bit (correct name not known) that you remove to get to the radiator. There appears to be something missing (?), when the small metal bit with the hole, on the left is turned , I can feel something moving. Is this perhaps related to the overheating problem ?
I've pasted a link from photobucket below, if it doesn't work I'll try again.

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd50 ... ngo002.jpg

[missfixit70]

Won't be related to the overheating as that's down to the coolant system, I'm pretty sure mine looks the same as that & I've had no problems.

[bigdaddycain]

Thanks for the replies. Checked it out yesterday and sure enough the plastic clip was broken and the metal arm was kinked and had come out of its hole. A little bending and all is now well with full vent flap opening.
Still got an overheating problem tho' so looks like I'm gonna have to follow the factsheet to the letter.
Took a photo of the big black plastic bit (correct name not known) that you remove to get to the radiator. There appears to be something missing (?), when the small metal bit with the hole, on the left is turned , I can feel something moving. Is this perhaps related to the overheating problem ?
I've pasted a link from photobucket below, if it doesn't work I'll try again.

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd50 ... ngo002.jpg

Isn't that the hinge for the flap from the heater fan to the inner trunking?

[fieryjack]

I've now discovered that the reason the coolant level is dropping is that it's coming out of the underneath of the vehicle. Here's a photo from the side-sliding door side.....a drip can be seen where the green car is. On top of this, Mrs.fj has phoned from town to inform me that her Lucida won't start......suspected battery failure, and I can't leave the house as I'm waiting for a delivery. Time for some fizzy-hops I think.