How to work a push heater

[tedlogan]

Hi i've only had my Moggy for 4 months and the weather is on the change. I've been trying to work the push heater so im ready for the Autunm but so far its not working. The fan comes on but no change in temp.
To be honest I dont know what im doing and would be greatfull for some operating tips or instructions! It might be broke for all i know but id like to at least give it go first!
Thanks all

[Budgie]

Hi do you mean the control knob on the dash as it depends on what year your car is it may be fitted with a control "tap" on the engine where the battery is if not then you have the later type with a "valve" by the same place which opens or closes the valve i have the latter and had to change mine recently as the diaphram had perrished

[limegreen]

I'm also stuck on this! it says push heater, so I push it in for heat but.. nothing

[Budgie]

Check to see if the cable has broke its a two person job one to pull the knob whilst the other looks at the valve to see if it moves

[limegreen]

ah where's the valve? <:

[MColes]

Could also be blocked, try disconnecting the pipes that go through the bulkhead and washing it through both ways with a hose pipe. Had to do this when I first got my car, I was amazed by how brown the water was that came out of it, not nice.

[Budgie]

The valve is on the top of the engine block nearest to the battery,i.e behind the rocker cover

[charlie_morris_minor]

do not expect too much heat out of it.. using a mini heater matrix helps

[Ondergard]

Funnily enough, I've got the opposite problem!

I worked out that the switch underneath the heater switches the fan on and off - it didn't take a genius to do that - and I worked out what the slider bar in the heater was meant to do. I looked at the valve on the top of the engine block nearest the bulkhead, and the valve pushes in and out when the cable is operated from inside the engine compartment, and thus presumably when you push the heater knob under the dashboard.

The thing is, it's ALWAYS hot air which comes from the heater, whether the fan is switched on or not, whether the knob is pushed in or pulled out, and whether or not the slder bar thing is pointed to "Screen", "car" or "Off"!

It's been bloody hot in it this summer, but at least I'm not going to freeze if I drive Betsy in the winter!

I'd like to know what's wrong with it, though.

[badger]

Mines exactly the same!
I think the valve must be stuck open somewhere as I always get hot air and have never managed any cold from the blower. I'm not too bothered with winter approaching and the onset of lots of rain requiring some de-misting but will need to sort in the spring...

[santadawes]

Not being tech minded. Isn't it by swiveling the long arm of the air filter away from the manifold so that it's not sucking the hot air?

[Budgie]

the valve controls the heat in the car by allowing the hot water circulating in the block to be directed through the heater matix when the tap or valve is opened,closing it does the opposite

[bmcecosse]

Errrr - NO! That's to direct pre-warmed air into the carb for winter running - in an effort to minimise carb icing. Nothing to do with the heater. The heater valves seem to perish internally - and so hot water runs all the time. From the engine's point of view - this is a good thing - helps to keep the rear of the block/cylinder head clear of sludge and gives more even cooling - I commend it to you! The slide bar should block the flow of air when down - but often the foam seals have perished. Very easy to remove the front panel and then renew the foam on the moving flap if it bothers you. For BEST heater action - you want a 92 degree thermostat and eliminate the by-pass hose on the water pump. You will get plenty of heat and very quickly after engine start-up - ideal for those brave enough to take their precious Minors out in the cold/wet/frost and snow! A hint was made earlier about using a Mini matrix - I found the Mini matrix to be no bigger - BUT the Mini fan is much bigger and so blows more air - the Minor front panel and lever are easily fitted to the Mini heater - so it looks no different - just works much better!

[mike.perry]

The heater valve on the back of the engine is not the best design. Slacken the cable clamp and pull the lever in and out by hand to see how far it moves then tighten the clamp and see if you get the same movement by pushing and pulling the control knob.
My heater valve does not switch off but the slider on the front of the heater does a reasonable job of keeping the heater from blowing hot air
The most effective taps are the manual taps fitted to the 948s and earlier.

[Budgie]

i stand corrected i should,ve waited for bmc to come on before i put my veiws foward you learn something everyday especilly on this site sorry bmc crossed wires i was right

[Peetee]

I have seen these later heater valves so full of scale it's a wonder they flow any water at all. best to remove it and inspect.

[taupe]

Budgie
I think you are correct. _ BMC is referring to santadawes post above re air intake!

[Budgie]

i thought so thanks taupe i,ve reread it and i see your point thought i was loseing the plot