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front heater problem
Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2013 8:15 pm
by gartland
I have a problem with my front heater .It starts off blowing warm then goe,s cold .I have gone through the bleed process ,the bottom hose gets hot and the heater blows warm ,then next time of starting its back to blowing cold . Any help appreciated
Re: front heater problem
Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2013 8:22 pm
by Northern Bongolow
if you bled it right.(bottom hose really hot, not just warm). then you need to pressure test the system as you may have a leak.
Re: front heater problem
Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2013 9:56 pm
by wonkanoby
also i would back flush it as it may be full of crud
Re: front heater problem
Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2013 11:15 pm
by mikeonb4c
wonkanoby wrote:also i would back flush it as it may be full of crud
Hmmm. I'm never confident that hard deposits of crud will be so easily flushed from the fine tubes of the rad matrix. Like you gartland, I live in Cheshire, and I take mine up to Adrian at Japan Direct in Bury. Last time but one when I was there, he was replacing the crudded up heater and main rads of an overheating Bongo. If you're not Bongo savvy and you're concerned, i'd give him a call and get his thoughts. 0161-763-3003 from memory, and his prices are v reasonable.
Re: front heater problem
Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2013 12:03 pm
by Jim the Box
I've just driven home after an 80 mile trip, my wife complained about it being a bit cool in the van, we have a digital heater control, which was set at 22'c, I had to turn it up to the maximum setting of 32'c to get it to blow hot air. Once I got blowing hot, I turned the setting down to 28'c and the heater started to blow cool/warm straight away, any ideas. Is this a control problem or do I have an air lock or potential blockage similar to what Gartland may have?
Re: front heater problem
Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2013 12:13 pm
by g8dhe
You can check that the control flap for the heating is operating by looking towards the central heater unit from the passenger well there is a small servo that operates the flap via a link;

If that is working as you adjust the controls then look at the flow of coolant as a possible problem.....
Re: front heater problem
Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2013 12:14 pm
by weebrian
If it's blowing on hot I'd guess the system is working OK. Seem to remember seeing a post about the interior temp sensor, which controls the heater, getting blocked up and just needs a good clean out. Apparently it's behind the little grill just to the right of the glove box.
Re: front heater problem
Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2013 12:23 pm
by g8dhe
Yes your right I had forgotten that one, it didn't affect my temperature but a couple of others have since reported similar problems to above which came down to dust in the sensor;
http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... 23#p530723
Re: front heater problem
Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2013 4:29 pm
by gartland
Hi everybody thanks for all the info .Have had a pressure test done ,no problems .on my return journey it overheated stopped to check and bottom hose still cold ,so still some air in the system ,will try another bleed tomorrow
Re: front heater problem
Posted: Tue Mar 26, 2013 9:25 am
by Jim the Box
Thanks guy's quite a bit of snow this morning, I will have a look at at over Easter weekend, (as long as it's not a white one

).
Re: front heater problem
Posted: Tue Mar 26, 2013 9:43 am
by mikeonb4c
Try squeezing your top hose. If it is hard and feels crunchy.......you have a crud problem

Re: front heater problem
Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2013 2:24 pm
by gartland
Hi all have now done another bleed on the system bottom hose hot ,warm air coming through ,took it for a run heater went cold ,needle went above normal and system started to bubble .Is this a heater matrix problem ,do i need to remove it or will bleeding it solve the problem ,Thanks again your help and advice
Re: front heater problem
Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2013 2:32 pm
by Simon Jones
Where are you getting the bubbles? If you remove the expansion tank cap, it will reduce the pressure & therefore the boiling point, so you will get bubbles in the tank. That would be to be expected.
Re: front heater problem
Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2013 11:12 pm
by Northern Bongolow
sounds like a water pump leaking when its running, this doesnt usually show up on a pressure test, nor do you see the leak on the floor.
Re: front heater problem
Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2013 11:40 pm
by gartland
where is the waterpump situated
