MES heater
Posted: Thu Oct 03, 2013 4:32 pm
Many of the later cars have a black plastic cased water heater at the front of the car on the passenger side. Many are finding this has ceased to function. The earlier alloy item will have this problem as well.
Before you right it off, check that the water is flowing properly. The rubber pipes are simple straight lengths of hose and are pushed onto the heater matrix and held with Jubilee clips, these when new seem to have had a reasonable bend and supported themselves quite well. As they get older the pipe collapses resulting in virtually no flow and the heater shutting down due to over heating. These pipes are a real pain to get to , its easier if you have a vehicle lift and virtualy impossible without (Unless you are very very flexible and long of arm). But I would suggest that you remove the rubber pipes and install two simple bends. The heater matrix inlet is about 13mm bore and around 18mm od, so a couple of 15mm Yorkshire fittings would work well and have a nice shoulder to ensure the hose clamps tight. WIth this mod the hose wont collapse and flow will return. Check the other bends at the heater end as well. I have seen some with long tube loops some short and cramped, and some with plastic elbows.
Grumpy-b
Before you right it off, check that the water is flowing properly. The rubber pipes are simple straight lengths of hose and are pushed onto the heater matrix and held with Jubilee clips, these when new seem to have had a reasonable bend and supported themselves quite well. As they get older the pipe collapses resulting in virtually no flow and the heater shutting down due to over heating. These pipes are a real pain to get to , its easier if you have a vehicle lift and virtualy impossible without (Unless you are very very flexible and long of arm). But I would suggest that you remove the rubber pipes and install two simple bends. The heater matrix inlet is about 13mm bore and around 18mm od, so a couple of 15mm Yorkshire fittings would work well and have a nice shoulder to ensure the hose clamps tight. WIth this mod the hose wont collapse and flow will return. Check the other bends at the heater end as well. I have seen some with long tube loops some short and cramped, and some with plastic elbows.
Grumpy-b