Heater problems need help..

[matg]

Got a problem with my transit, its a bit of an odd one but you may have an idea on what it could be. Its a Y reg Mk6 125ps 2.4 RWD (long wheel base) model.

When driving around and keeping a steady speed say 30mph+ and not really stopping much the hot air works fine, however when in traffic and stop starting at lights etc it goes very cold very quickly. Even if I have been driving for 3-4 hours it does it. The temperature of the engine is as normal, there is water in the system and everything appears normal. The only other problem I have noticed is that this started on the same day the van become very sluggish for about 15 mins one morning.

Last week I started the van (very cold and icy) and it seemed very very sluggish, it struggled to get the revs up and didn't really seem to have anything over 3k to offer. After pulling up and starting it again it was fine again, however this problem with the heater has started - it may be coincidence? Its been running a little sluggish now and then since then but not as bad as that morning, most of the time its fine though.

Any ideas would be greatly received

[rover]

A cold heater usually signifies one of two things, assuming theres plenty of coolant(which you say there is), either the water pump is starting to give up(most likely) or the head gasket is blowing slightly, but that will normaly occur when driving for a while rather than on tickover.


What your other problem is is very hard to say as there are so many electronics on the van.

[Gunslinger]

just a thought, but is there any sort of control that restricts the water going to the heater matrix until the engine is warm, on these later versions ... as for the slugish thing, that almost sounds like its not warming up ... are you sure the thermostats is working ok ?

the water pump could be the culpret on both issues here, best bet is to interogate your ford dealer now, try and get to speak to one of the techies rather than the gimp on the service desk who will want you to bring it in for them to look at it and charge you your left testicle for the priveledge

[rover]

I believe the heater control on the Mk6 is the same as it is on most newer Fords, an electronic 'butterfly valve' in the flow to the heater matrix, these are known for not being very reliable.....but I cant see that in this case cos they either let water flow or they dont.....so you can either get hot air or you cant, theres no in between..


It may be an idea to go along to your local M.O.T test station and ask them to check for exhaust gasses in the expansion tank, its very simple and wont take them two minutes.....that would put your mind at rest about the head gasket, or not obviously..


Still the most likely is the water pump.

[Gunslinger]

thanks for that rover ... i was interested to know if the electronic gubbins had a sticky mitten in the control of this, it is possible that at low idle speeds its not getting the power through correctly to work properly, causing it to close of ..... possibly a bad earth that only shows up when the voltages are low like at idle and the resistance on the earth connection proves too much for a reliable circuit

that said, the more i think about it, the more likely your suggestion of the water pump is looking, if it is that then he will know soon enough

[Gunslinger]

hhhmmm ... long time ago i read something here about the newer all electronic control engine systems having the power to either shut down or restrict the engine because of a sensed fault, restarting would clear the effects of this "managment system interference" but obviously wouldnt cure whatever fault it was sensing ...... just a thought

[Nighthawk]

I believe the heater control on the Mk6 is the same as it is on most newer Fords, an electronic 'butterfly valve' in the flow to the heater matrix, these are known for not being very reliable.....but I cant see that in this case cos they either let water flow or they dont.....so you can either get hot air or you cant, theres no in between..
.

Transit in both FWD and RWD form uses a direct feed from the coolant system.

On the van in question the heater pipes can be seen on the drivers side of the engine bay at the side of the head, they drop down above the exhaust manifold and go behind the head then. Once they get round to the other side of the engine, they connect to the rest of the plumber's nighmare which passes as a coolant system.

The thermostat housing on the RWD has 5 pipe connections, this gives a long and short circuit for the coolant, inside the housing is a spring loaded valve. I would suspect that valve has become stuck open allowing the main flow of water to go against it's intended path.

Or......a scary one....

In the past or present, the oil coolaer has failed and has contaminated the coolant system putting a coating of oil/sludge into the heater matrix

That should be spotted by oil residue in the header tank though.

If the pump had packed up, you should see the temp needle go to the red and the engine will cut. The engine doesn't measure direct water temperature like the older models, it has a sensor at the rear of the head reading the metal temp.

[rover]

Why do they do that. fit them to just about every other Ford vehicle on the road and not the Transit?

Anyhow I have just looked at the TIS(on my work laptop) and I cant find anything about it, its a shame I didnt have access to it this morning!


So you'll have to forgive my waffle from this morning(or not its up to you)

[Gunslinger]

[stevew]

Personally I find a waffle is the perfect start to the day!

[Nighthawk]

Why do they do that. fit them to just about every other Ford vehicle on the road and not the Transit?

Transit's duratorq engine has enough trouble keeping hot as it is, it's got incredible thermal efficiency, so much so that in the colder markets it's fitted with a fuel fired water heater.

Transit with A/C does have a bypass valve, but thats vacuum controlled

Depending on it's age, your TIS disc should have a description and operation section for the cooling system.

[matg]

thanks for all the replies today, nice to know the help is there when you need it, especially as I have had soo many problems with this van since I brought it!!

Funny enough its been fine today with it going cold only once and the engine having 'normal' power, but I do have time tomorrow to get it looked at so I will report back with my findings

Thanks for the info it gives me the upper hand on the mechanics

[rover]

Why do they do that. fit them to just about every other Ford vehicle on the road and not the Transit?

Transit's duratorq engine has enough trouble keeping hot as it is, it's got incredible thermal efficiency, so much so that in the colder markets it's fitted with a fuel fired water heater.

Transit with A/C does have a bypass valve, but thats vacuum controlled

Depending on it's age, your TIS disc should have a description and operation section for the cooling system.

Yeah it has a very detailed description, I just didnt have it(the laptop) to hand this morning(actually it was in the van and it was bloody cold out there )

the disk is last years, so its pretty up to date, unfortunatelt Sandicliffe in Long Eaton has closed down now so it may be the last one I get

[Nighthawk]

It's all on the internet now anyway m8.

Since the introduction of eTIS wiring diagrams took a turn for the worse too.

I still keep the last tis disc on my lappy too alongside autodata's cd.