Morris Minor Owners Club

Hello Folks.

The heater in my newly aqcuired 69 minor deluxe is not working.

The fan works fine the engine gets hot.

I dont think the water is getting to the heater.

How do i get water into the heater.

James Stephenson

James, Most of it is covered here.....

http://www.mmoc.org.uk/index.php?name=P ... ic&t=23662

Basically - make sure the valve on top of the cylinder head at the rear of the engine is open - and none of the pipes are kinked shut!

Quite common this, there is another thread on it but the usual problem is the heater matrix being blocked up with silt. The answer is to disconnect the heater hoses from the engine, connect one of them up to a hosepipe and gently run some water through it. The water coming out of the other hose will be a black/brown mess. Keep running water through until it goes clear then put the hosepipe on the other heater hose and flush it through the other way until its clear. Sometimes the heater needs removing and some kettle descaler leaving in it overnight.

A 69 Minor should have the cable operated heater valve on the rear of the cylinder head. These often get blocked up and sieze solid so its worth removing it and checking.

Hello

Have replaced the heater valve as it was in bits inside.

Have flushed the heater matrix and it was dirty now clean.

My problem now is that water from the heater valve does not get pumped into the heater there is a dribble of flow from the valve.

Could this be caused by a broken water pump or a stuck open or missing thermostat.

Kindest Regards
James Stephenson

Yes! The water pump impellor has been known to 'rot' away - but I would check the thermostat first. I assume when you fitted the new valve - that you made sure the hole in the head was clear and not choked with debris.

The water pump blades can also become a loose fit on the shaft. The shaft spins and the blades don't.

you should still get some flow when thermostat is open, so I'd guess it's most likely to be water pump.
The engine can keep going in cold weather with no blades on the pump (been there done that) but it will be getting very hot and hard driving could damage things. And wearing a hat, coat and gloves to drive is not much fun!

If the stat is completely missing - there may not be much flow - hence check stat first.

It could be an air lock which I experienced just a week or so ago when I fitted a new heater valve on my 69 Traveller

Leo

Hello fellow owners.

Thanks for the tips.

I did not clear the hole in the head before fitting the new valve.

I will check for a thermostat and replace with a 82*c one.

I will also flush the whole cooling system while iam there.

Is forte cooling system flush any good.

Are water pumps expensive/hard to fit for an ameuture classic owner.

James Stephenson

James, the best stuff to use is kettle descaler. Mix up some solution and let it sit for a while in your system before draining and flushing. This is best done though, only if you know that water is being pumped around OK so check the water pump/stat first. Pumps are easy to change but note where you take the bolts from as there are different lengths used.

I will do all this tomorrow morning in the day light.

Iam hoping this is not the water pump but oh well they are only 14.95.

We only got the car on monday and iam really pleased with it.

I already own a 1974 1275 midget so iam trained in the art of classic car ownership when it comes to replacing parts and reliability etc.

Thanks psl
James

Hello Folks.

I have changed the thermostat and still no luck.

Water now comes out of the heater tap slowly on and off but not continues and will not push up the heater hoses.

Iam running out of ideas.

James

So, did you check the water pump also?

Probably the only way to find the source of the problem is to remove the heater and hoses and flush and descale them. Not a huge undertaking fortunately and at least you know you are getting the best out of those particular parts when you put it all back together again.

Hello

I will leave the water pump until last as it involves more work than the other things.

I will remove the heater and get rid of the air lock.

Hopefully its something silly.

The car is not suffering from any overheating issues even when left running for ages on the drive

James

Water now comes out of the heater tap slowly on and off but not continues and will not push up the heater hoses.

The only time I've had that happen, it was a water pump with no blades...

rayofleamington wrote:

Water now comes out of the heater tap slowly on and off but not continues and will not push up the heater hoses.

The only time I've had that happen, it was a water pump with no blades...

Which is why I have been urging James to check his water pump....

Hello.

I have ordered a new water pump and an 88'c thermostat.

I will remove the heater tomorrow and clean it out.

It also gives me chance to overhaul the fan etc

I will let you all know my findings.

Ps do i have to remove the rad to remove the pump

James