8 replies to this topic

[griff2]

hi all

not sure if the heater matrix is dif on a spi to a non spi mini

i have a 1996 spi and no heating its freezing!

ive changed the therostat is there anything else it could be? i had a new push/pull valve (not sure of correct name lol) only earlier this year so not that, but i had the head off last week think ive conected the pipes the right way does anyone no if ive do it the right way round,

ive got the pipe that comes off the thermsat housing to the push/pull valve,it then spilts in2 ,the bottom bit goes to the bottom pipe on the throttle body/inlet maniflow and th other hose connects to the bulkhead hose nearest side to the steering whell is this correct?

your help would be cool as im freezing lol

cheers
griff2

[Bungle]

could it be a air lock in the system ?

try running the engine with the rad cap off and top it up as the water leavel drops

[DaveRob]

Just my experience but here goes

The thermostat needs to be in the sandwich plate AT THE RIGHT HIGHT...... My 96 SPi has a heater that can roast a chicken within a 30 mile run!!! BUT when I recently changed the thermostat I put it in the wrong place in the sandwich plate. The 'stat can go into the head OR in the next step up in the sandwich plate. From memory, (I could be wrong here me memory isnt good), it needs to be at the top and not in the head. I tried mine in the head to start, thinking this was correct, and all I got was COLD..... water temp up to 88deg C but I couldnt get the heater to work no matter how much water I poured into the rad. I even tried filling the heater matrix to make sure no air locks.... still COLD. changed the 'stat position and hey presto...... me chicken roaster is back on line. Its even hot with the valve shut down. Hope this helps....just my experience tho.... Maybe someone can explain why this happens.....I'd sure be interested to know.

Tin hat at the ready.....

DaveRob

[griff2]

cheers everyone

think u might be right dave, as i was not sure which postiosion to put thermostate so i put it in the lower postision in the head,will try next one up,as mine used to roast chickens to lol

cheers
griff2

[griff2]

hi all again

well ive put the new thermostat back to where it should be, but still no heating ( ,does anyone no how to get rid or test for a air lock???????

cheers
griff2

[rossikey]

Usually if you have an air lock you will have overheating problems. If you think ever thing else looks OK I would check the radiator cap to ensure it is allowing the system to pressurize, if it is leaking it will not force the water around the system and through the heater matrix.

Regards.

[griff2]

hi again

cheers for every ones help

ive just ragged it in every gear took it to just under 6500 rev,seems to have cleared prob ) now have heat again

a good ragging solves all problems lol

cheers
griff2

[Sprocket]

Just my experience but here goes

The thermostat needs to be in the sandwich plate AT THE RIGHT HIGHT...... My 96 SPi has a heater that can roast a chicken within a 30 mile run!!! BUT when I recently changed the thermostat I put it in the wrong place in the sandwich plate. The 'stat can go into the head OR in the next step up in the sandwich plate. From memory, (I could be wrong here me memory isnt good), it needs to be at the top and not in the head. I tried mine in the head to start, thinking this was correct, and all I got was COLD..... water temp up to 88deg C but I couldnt get the heater to work no matter how much water I poured into the rad. I even tried filling the heater matrix to make sure no air locks.... still COLD. changed the 'stat position and hey presto...... me chicken roaster is back on line. Its even hot with the valve shut down. Hope this helps....just my experience tho.... Maybe someone can explain why this happens.....I'd sure be interested to know.

Tin hat at the ready.....

DaveRob

What you describe is bacause the thermostat generates a restriction against the water pump, pressure is built up behind the thermostat. If the heater take off is after the thermostat, there isnt such a big presure difference (it alsmost the same potential as the suction of the pump) to push the coolant through another fairly large restriction that is the heater matrix, the result is very little if any flow. Taking the coolant off before the thermostat, you have the biggest pressure difference, forcing the coolant through the heater matrix and back to the suction of the pump.

This 'restriction' (the thermostat) also increases the boil over temperature of the coolant in the block and head only as a result of the increased pressure generated by the pump. This is the reason it is BAD to remove the thermostat and not fit a blanking sleave in its place.

[DaveRob]

As usual.....all Kudos to sprocket...... seriously tho.... this is a very interesting explination of the coolant flow in the A series...... Thanks Sprocket..... Have a good Christmas

DaveRob