Heat settings: Hot and Less Hot

[burlybryan]

This past winter I put a new heater core and valve in the car ('82 FI 2000). It had been bypassed for ages (by the PO) due to a leaking valve.

The console lever smoothly turns the valve fully off and fully on, but when off, there is still quite a bit of residual heat (when "on" it's cooking). It's been a nice side effect in the cooler mornings, but now that summer is fully on it's kinda uncomfortable...

Is this "normal" Fiat heater operation or did I reverse something? It seems like the core is getting circulation or at least warmed like a heat sink.

Thanks.

Bryan

[btoran]

when turned "off", where is the residual heat coming from? is it thru the vents or elsewhere? there is a foam/rubber inner boot that goes under the shifter console. over time, they wear out and let heat in through the shift area. i swapped my original/falling apart one for a new one and it made a world of difference.

[4uall]

This might help

http://wwwe.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopi ... ifter+boot

[burlyb]

Thanks 4uall - did all that with the console removal. New boot, foam, insulated everything. The residual heat is def most apparent in the passenger side - the pipes and heater valve are super hot. It's HVAC heat, not from the trans tunnel. The heater core is warming up as well because it will come out the vents if I select defrost. The (aftermarket Pioneer) radio will occasionally kill due to the heat in the dash/console. It's weird - or maybe normal...I have no baseline.

Maybe I should just focus on all the fluid leaks and leave this alone

[RRoller123]

The valve cable loose/broken and not closing the valve? So hot coolant constantly flowing through heater?

[burlybryan]

Watching the cable actuate the valve under the dash, it goes to full stop at open and closed. I'll have to check if the other pipe is cooler or as hot next time I'm out. I suppose it could just be the valve and pipes warming up from the thermal transfer of engine coolant and convecting up into the dash.

[Ragno124]

It's possible that you need to find the "sweet spot" on the valve as I have found on my '81 Spider that if I slide my lever to full closed that it acutely goes too far and opens up the valve again and it gets hot. So I have to go to fully closed then go back about a 1/4 inch to get it to stay fully closed and then it's just cool air from the vents.

[81SPIDERMATT]

It's possible that you need to find the "sweet spot" on the valve as I have found on my '81 Spider that if I slide my lever to full closed that it acutely goes too far and opens up the valve again and it gets hot. So I have to go to fully closed then go back about a 1/4 inch to get it to stay fully closed and then it's just cool air from the vents.

I hesitated to say the same thing thinking that my valve is just getting old.... but I also have a sweet spot

[majicwrench]

Are you shuting off the air flow as well?? Gotta shut that big flap under cowl or air will keep flowing thru, and yes, core will stay hot even wo water flowing thru it.

[4uall]

This might help

http://www.international-auto.com/fiat- ... spider.cfm

http://wwww.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopi ... 3&p=117279

[burlybryan]

Are you shuting off the air flow as well?? Gotta shut that big flap under cowl or air will keep flowing thru, and yes, core will stay hot even wo water flowing thru it.

This is definitely part of it. The cable or flap is hanging up and doesn't allow the lever to move all of the way. Gonna suck to trace that. I feel like all the dash bits are held together by a delicate balance of friction.

Will look for the "sweet spot" as well.

Thanks guys.