Heater problem.

[daveblueozzie]

I have a heater problem, everything is kinda working ok, except its not blowing hot air into the cab, just a bit warm.
I have checked the wire connections are working (manual air con not digital)and they all work fine, i fitted a thermostat earlier in the year but not a genuine Mazda one and was wondering if that could be the problem,could that be stuck in the open position and the coolant is not getting as warm as it goes around the engine in this cold weather thus not giving any heat off for the heater fans.
I have a mason alarmed temp gauge but it does not seem to move past the 12 o'clock position (which it normally does in traffic) and it seems to get to that position very quick, as if the stat is open.The coolant is fine ,correct strength and topped up to the right amount.
Any thoughts and comments from the bongo techies.

[missfixit70]

From what you've said then I'd suspect the stat, get a proper one in

[Northern Bongolow]

have you still got the hoses dave,could be an airlock.try a good stat and bleed.if your temp gauge is going up to normal,at the usuall rate/time,i suspect airlock.

[haydn callow]

to check the stat out........rev/idle/rev/idle....let it "heat soak" then idle.....after about 30/40 mins the bottom hose should "suddenly" get very hot.......if not and it has just got gradually warmer over the process then suspect the stat is stuck open

[mikeonb4c]

I have a heater problem, everything is kinda working ok, except its not blowing hot air into the cab, just a bit warm.
I have checked the wire connections are working (manual air con not digital)and they all work fine, i fitted a thermostat earlier in the year but not a genuine Mazda one and was wondering if that could be the problem,could that be stuck in the open position and the coolant is not getting as warm as it goes around the engine in this cold weather thus not giving any heat off for the heater fans.
I have a mason alarmed temp gauge but it does not seem to move past the 12 o'clock position (which it normally does in traffic) and it seems to get to that position very quick, as if the stat is open.The coolant is fine ,correct strength and topped up to the right amount.
Any thoughts and comments from the bongo techies.

Told you you'd bought a rubbish Bongo Dave

But seriously, Haydn's advice is sound (not that he needs an endorsement from a minion like me ).

This (he says, waiting to get machine-gunned) is where the standard gauge IS useful, as - like the bottom hose - with a healthy thermostat it moves quite swiftly from the stop to 11 o'clock position and stays there when the stat is working properly. Otherwise, it drifts up, often not reaching 11.00 (cold days, on the move for example). I'd have expected even a Mason'ed gauge to stay on the stop and then make a similar decisive move though. Does yours not (normally) do that?

Sitting around on the drive revving and idling for 30-40 mins sounds tedious, if it can be avoided. Also, undesirable maybe (hot spots) if the cause is something else?

[daveblueozzie]

Thanks for the replies, the stat does seem to be the obvious reason for the problem, don't think i have an airlock the coolant has really never moved (slight loss over a long period of time)
Ady, there is still one hose that i need to sort out that the slight leak is coming from ,but all the others are fine.It looks like BDC will be doing a coolant change once i get a new stat.

[Bongoplod]

Hope you get it sorted Dave,a "warm" heater is no good this weather,hot air deffo needed

Brian

[mister munkey]

Mines the same Dave.

On my third Mazda stat now though. No different each time.

Looking forward to a resolution here.

[The Great Pretender]

Is this on the rear heater as well Dave?

[daveblueozzie]

Is this on the rear heater as well Dave?

yes , the same on the rear, only just warm air.

[wonkanoby]

i would start by flushing it out

especially the 2 rads

was getting nothing from my front

back flushed it from inlets under bonnet

and was amazed at the brown gunk came out

[mikexgough]

I have a heater problem, everything is kinda working ok, except its not blowing hot air into the cab, just a bit warm.
I have checked the wire connections are working (manual air con not digital)and they all work fine, i fitted a thermostat earlier in the year but not a genuine Mazda one and was wondering if that could be the problem,could that be stuck in the open position and the coolant is not getting as warm as it goes around the engine in this cold weather thus not giving any heat off for the heater fans.
I have a mason alarmed temp gauge but it does not seem to move past the 12 o'clock position (which it normally does in traffic) and it seems to get to that position very quick, as if the stat is open.The coolant is fine ,correct strength and topped up to the right amount.
Any thoughts and comments from the bongo techies.

Told you you'd bought a rubbish Bongo Dave

But seriously, Haydn's advice is sound (not that he needs an endorsement from a minion like me ).

This (he says, waiting to get machine-gunned) is where the standard gauge IS useful, as - like the bottom hose - with a healthy thermostat it moves quite swiftly from the stop to 11 o'clock position and stays there when the stat is working properly. Otherwise, it drifts up, often not reaching 11.00 (cold days, on the move for example). I'd have expected even a Mason'ed gauge to stay on the stop and then make a similar decisive move though. Does yours not (normally) do that?

Sitting around on the drive revving and idling for 30-40 mins sounds tedious, if it can be avoided. Also, undesirable maybe (hot spots) if the cause is something else?

Mine has a Mason "adjusted" Gauge..... heaters all fine, Mazda (Tama) stat....
Normal running 12 o'clock, under 5C runs to 12:30, over 5C 12o'clock....
Gets to bottom of gauge arc from morning cold start.....2-3 miles dependent on ambient....then to full operating temp as per ambient within another 1-2 miles....
For me....., what I would do if mine havd the same symptoms...... pop a Forte flush in.......then after that had "done its thing" back flush....then come along with stat and coolant change....

[daveblueozzie]

Had to google Forte Flush never heard of it before looks a good product, i have ordered some from this company £15.18 delivered ( a bit cheaper than ebay)
http://www.autokits.co.uk/forte-cooling ... -p-46.html

[daveblueozzie]

Have just ordered a genuine Mazda stat from Mazda Warrington, gave them the the part number, which i got from the forum (MKL01-15-171a) they wanted my Vin number as well to make sure i had the correct part number,they knew it was a bongo even saying it was the Ford version which it is, just under £18 including the vat.
Due to weather conditions they said it will be Tuesday when the stat arrives, I'm in no hurry to drop the coolant in this weather. Will get the red coolant that Ive used all the time since getting the bongo this weekend, then I'm all ready for a coolant and stat change ,also going to do a coolant flush using the FORTE product Ive ordered.
Don't ya just love dropping the coolant and then getting rid of all the air trapped in the engine.
I will also check the silicon hose clips ,Ive not had any problems apart just re-tightening of the clips,there is 1 hose with a slight leak that i cant get to without the ramps, it just need tightening up a bit.

[daveblueozzie]

Heater all fixed and working as it should
I would like to say that me and BDC dropped the coolant and flushed the engine and fitted the brand new genuine Mazda stat in these freezing arctic conditions, i would like to say that ......but i cant
Had another look today and found that all the wires are connected, BUT one of them was not in its clip that holds the outer casing so the wire moves as you move the heater control, so in fact it was not opening the vent to let heat into the cab. .
At least i have a new stat and engine coolant flush for next time