Heater and cooling system

[jangs]

As others I hardly have any heat coming from the heater on my Mk2 1961. Further the fan realy makes noise but is not very effective.
To make things work better I want to make use of the heater upgrade kit from Clayton Classics. Before that I would like to clean the cooling system by flushing with water and may be some cleanser. What cleanser could I use for it?

Jan Sinke
Holland

[smiffy]

Groetjes uit Southampton
I'm not sure that any of the 'cooling system cleaners' work very well. I think that there are some chemicals you can use, but they don't come from car part suppliers. In my experience (mainly with A series and Kent engines admittedly) the best way for a non-professional to do it is to take the engine out, strip it down, remove the core plugs and get aggressive with water and brushes. Similarly, remove the radiator and heater and back-flush them with lots of water. The problem is a mechanical one, due to silt and rust (silt is niet jonge haring hoor!). Not a simple job, but not a simple problem!
First things first though. The heater fan motor on these cars was never up to much, but check that you have not got a car with negative earth and a fan motor wired for positive earth - this makes a difference because of the centrifugal operation of the fan impeller. Also check that you have the scuttle vent open when using the heater or you will not get much airflow.
Tot ziens, David

[ecosselynx]

Hi

Let's simplify the task. If your heater outlet hose is hot and the flow from it good, then your water system is probably alright. As David pointed out, if the flaps on the heater system are not working freely, very common fault, then this needs fixing.
Also as David said the motor is not up to the job and the heavy impeller doesn't help, about 15 years ago I took a motor and impeller (plastic) out of a Metro and fitted it into my Mk2 and it works fine, with the extra speed of the motor and it looks standard unless you look close. No doubt you could get a bigger motor and it would be even better, as the XK engine do produce enough heat.
I can supply a couple of photo's if anyone is interested, just drop me you e-mail address.

bye-o

John H.

[jangs]

Goede morgen David,
Thank you for your reply. Oke I forget the cleaner, it is because I read about 'cleansing the system' on page D6 of the Service Manual. There it was mensioned. I am not not take of the engine. But I can remove the taps and fush with cold water. Eventually take out the radiator and clean it apart. When I use the upgrade kit I do not have to pay much attention to the heater matrix it will be renewed anyway.
I will check the fan motor. The car has indeed negative earth. Changing the wires will not harm the motor? When the wires are connected wrong it was for a long time. Yesterday I drove the car, but did not open the shuttle vent and I did not have much warm. Again I used the Manual (O.4) and the owners manual for that.
David bedankt en tot ziens,
Kind regards, Jan

[smiffy]

Hi Jan
It is unlikely your fan motor wiring will have been changed when the car was converted to negative earth. Fortunately, the motor is not earthed via its case, so it is a simple job to un-solder the motor wires at the resistor. Before you re-solder them, connect the wires up both ways round to see which gives you the best airflow. You will not harm the motor by running it in either direction, but the impeller is designed to generate airflow in one direction of rotation.
I've also heard that the Metro heater motor upgrade is well worth doing.
Groetjes, David