Heater valve problem - ** RESOLVED FOC**

[caro]

In March 2013 my 2001 fiesta suddenly started overheating and a new heater valve was fitted. Fast forward to the hottest day of the year and the water boiled dry on the motorway. Fortunately I had water and made it home. Took the car to the garage and no fault found. No charge for checking either. No problem since until Sunday (29th dec).

 

The heater stopped working. Fan is ok but just blows cold air. Phoned the garage to get it checked out and over the phone said it needs a new valve which will cost about £80, £40 of which is for the valve.

 

I realised afterwards that a heater valve has already been replaced. Found the bill and it cost about £80, although the valve was £26 and the cost included coolant.

 

Would this be a different heater valve, or could it be there's a problem with the one fitted in March?

Edited January 2, 2014 by caro

[dx100uk]

fobbed off already in march me thinks...

 

FOC repair me thinks.

 

how can they decide on the phone without testing it!.

 

dx

[caro]

I don't know. Would there be more than one heater valve?

 

I must admit I was wondering if I should need to pay. Thankfully I've got the receipt for this.

[Conniff]

The heater is very unlikely to have any connection with you losing water and overheating unless there is a leak in the matrix or a connecting hose. One of the signs of loss of water is the heater blowing cold.

 

What you need doing is a check on the radiator fan to make sure that cuts in at the correct temperature and a cooli8ng system pressure test. A pump is put in place of the radiator cap and pumped up to the pressure it says on the cap and then watched to see if that pressure drops. While waiting for that to happen, a good look around the engine at hoses etc and radiator to see if there are any leaks.

 

Also check the carpet below the heater to see if that is damp.

 

A failed thermostat can make a car overheat and then the water gets blown out past the cap. Thermostats used to fail safe, most don't now, so it could be the thermostat needs changing, but that should be checked so it's not replaced needlessly.

[caro]

I've already checked it's not losing water now, or at least the reservoir is still on max. Must admit my first thought was that it might be the thermostat but my knowledge of cars would fit on the back of a postage stamp.

[silverfox1961]

If I remember rightly, the heater valve is wire operated. It could simply be that the wire has fell off or snapped??

[caro]

Seems there's a heater valve under the bonnet and one in the car. It was the one under the bonnet that was replaced in March and they replaced it FOC with no quibble.

 

Tbh that doesn't surprise me as I've always found them very fair, which is why I didn't name them, but I just wanted to check I was on the right track before I took the car in.

 

Thanks for the advice guys.