6 replies to this topic

[Neilson]

I've removed the inlet manifold and throttle body on my '94 to fit an LCB. When I looked at the underside it seems the PTC heater is shot. All the connections have melted away and the black plastic casing has also melted.
I'm not sure exactly what's happened as I need to get some circlip pliers to remove it.

I'm on a budget and they're £100 ea. I don't want to replace it and then it happen again. But as I've got the throttle off, it would make sense to replace it now.

Is this a common problem? and how can I prevent it happening again?

I'm also worried as i won't be able to refit the heat shield to the exhaust manifold because i'm fitting an LCB.

[KLAS]

it's a very common problem.
i usually open the heater and fit a ceramic ptc element with it's own ground wire. works great and its very cheap. the element is aroung 5€ over here.

i've never used a heat shield with a LCB

[roblightbody]

Interested to see further replies to this.

Mine has failed too.

I understand it helps when the engine is cold, helping emissions, and presumably also helping to prevent damage to the catalyst?

- Rob

[MRA]

it's a very common problem.
i usually open the heater and fit a ceramic ptc element with it's own ground wire. works great and its very cheap. the element is aroung 5€ over here.

i've never used a heat shield with a LCB

Common fault, but your fix is interesting, can you give details or would you be willing to modify some ?

[northy]

Occasionally complete inlet manifold assemblies show up on here or on ebay, for around £25-45, thats probably your best chance of getting one cheap without taking the ptc apart. KLAS's solution should work too.

[minimat]

I dont think mine works althogh its not melted,i havent bothered to do anything about is even though i have some secondhand ones as it switchs off when the engine gets warm anyway.

[mogg]

I dont quite understand what you mean KLAS by open heater and fit a ceramic PTC. What do these ceramics look like?

A year after i replaced mine, it seems to have taken a sheit again. the cheapest fix is to just let it warm up for 5 min or so, but sometimes that is unacceptable.