Amazing Heater Motor Fix!

[simon_gone_surfing]

I have posted in the past looking for fixes to my ongoing (4 year!) heater motor problems, with no solutions found. In a nutshell, I only got the slightest breath of air through the vents. Solutions tried (and failed): i) speed control resistor resoldered (twice); ii) motor stripped down, cleaned, greased and refitted (twice); iii) new motor fitted...but then...a breakthrough...

I now have wind at all four speeds (no bean jokes please) and it's like an arctic wind tunnel! How did I achieve this feat? (This is where I look like a right idiot)... while the blower system was stripped down again last week I noticed the mini radiator which supplies heat to the blowers was a bit dirty looking, so I gave it a rub with a toothbrush...there was more cr*p clogged in the radiator fins than in my wife's hairdryer. 20mins of gentle (the radiator fins are quite easy to bend it turns out) brushing and hoovering removed most of the crud and it now works perfectly!

The moral - if it ain't working, it aint' necessarily broke and might not need fixing, it might just need a good clean!

Please can any other limp-wind bongonauts try this and let me know it's not just me being an idiot here....

ps - can't belive no-one on here suggested it years ago!

[mikexgough]

Pictorial here ....... ignore some of the Japanese translation......

http://translate.googleusercontent.com/ ... a_DXylbqfw

[missfixit70]

Common issue, loads of discussions on that very thing, bet it smells better too

[simon_gone_surfing]

How did I not know about this?! Loving the google translation! Feel something of an idiot now...

[missfixit70]

Hope the idiot doesn't mind his "something" being felt

[brorabongo]

I'll be removing that rad in mine when next under the bonnet, as the rest of the air-con has been moved anyway. The only problem....could insects now be blown directly into cab?

[missfixit70]

Potentially I guess if you aren't directing it through the heater matrix then stuff could get though, but it's still got to get through the fan & the ducting, so it's not exactly a direct route, you could put a bit of mesh over the intake?

[jaylee]

Hey guys...! lets not forget this little gem a while back!! http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... 16&start=0

[brorabongo]

I'll be removing that rad in mine when next under the bonnet, as the rest of the air-con has been moved anyway. The only problem....could insects now be blown directly into cab?

Been under bonnet sooner than expected, tried to refurb the heater fan motor again...but no luck.
I've removed the element for the front air con. Even with a dodgy fan more air is coming from the vents now.





Is it likely anyone would need to replace such an item? i.e. should I keep hold of it?

[Doone]

Is it likely anyone would need to replace such an item? i.e. should I keep hold of it?

Yes keep hold of it, they can get damaged from stones flying through the gaps in the bumper etc. On our 'around tuit' list, we are going to put fine mesh behind the gaps, to prevent this from happening... either chrome type, or colour coded mesh of course.

[brorabongo]

Yes keep hold of it, they can get damaged from stones flying through the gaps in the bumper etc. On our 'around tuit' list, we are going to put fine mesh behind the gaps, to prevent this from happening... either chrome type, or colour coded mesh of course.

This is the little rad inside the ducting bolted to the bulk head, not the rad in front of cooling rad. That rad was disposed off a while back. Made a difference to the cooling rad.
You could see on the old cooling rad where the air con rad was placed, due to lack of dents in that area.

I'll keep hold of it for now. Wrong section but if anyone wants it, it's yours for the cost of postage. It's heavier that it looks mind!!!

[wormey]

Didn't know this, will have a look at mine,

[helen&tony]

Hi
Lorna
Glad you mentioned that...It is one of my "jobs to do"...builder's mesh is quite strong...except it's not available here...I think i'll have to get one of the local grandmothers to knit some wire mesh... ,,, or cut up an old chain mail overcoat (still fashionable in these parts)
Cheers
Helen

[Doone]

This is the little rad inside the ducting bolted to the bulk head, not the rad in front of cooling rad. That rad was disposed off a while back. Made a difference to the cooling rad.
You could see on the old cooling rad where the air con rad was placed, due to lack of dents in that area.

Oops! That'll teach me to look at pics/read the whole thread more carefully.

I think i'll have to get one of the local grandmothers to knit some wire mesh...

In the UK, our grannies only knit Shreddies which would be no use at all.