Peter Mears Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 I’ve got the old style flat heater, the recirculation type. The centre fan vibrates and is driving me mad. Having taken it apart it’s the up and down movement of the fan bush inside the motor that rattles and can’t be fixed. Apart from removing it altogether (not an option, wimp) what could be done? I don’t want to get another bonnet for the fresh air type so is there another solution. Can the new type be run in any way without drawing though the bonnet louver? Edited by - peter mears on 2 Jan 2010 15:31:50 Edited by - peter mears on 2 Jan 2010 15:32:23 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaterBram Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 Certainly keep the fan, cured mine which squeeled with some WD40 however if it's floating that much is there any way you can refix the shaft. Q469 WET 1990 Caterham 1690 Crossflow Long Cockpit in Ali except for the red bits.CaterBram on Facebook Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Mears Posted January 2, 2010 Author Share Posted January 2, 2010 I think they all do that, as the movement is not that great, its just mine seems to vibrate the top panel a lot. Anyone done the conversion to fresh air or is it a waste of money? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alextangent Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 I've removed mine for this year, but I'm going to hang on to it just in case it's too baltic. Alex McDonald Loud, louder, loudest... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaz23 Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 Just rip it out - you don't need it Been running without Heater since May 2008 and driven in snow without any issues - just have to plan ahead and if its cold put some extra layers on. 1993 De-Dion 1700 X/FLOW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie_pank Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 I have to dispute this . It really depends on the conditions and how far you're going. I have driven from London to Edinburgh in February, and despite wearing my sub-zero -10 thermals, motorbike winter gear, sheepskin hat and having the roof and doors on, I had to stop at Scotch Corner, walk around and get some hot soup because I couldn't feel my feet enough to drive. I guess it varies from person to person, but when you drive a long way you're really hardly moving at all and insulation only reduces heat-loss, it doesn't eliminate it and it doesn't generate any warmth. Your body needs to be generating heat at a faster rate than you're losing it to be able to manage without a heater. This was a few years ago when I was a bit chubbier, but I now have a sheepskin jacket, I wonder if I would be warmer doing it now. I also recall going hillwalking in Dumfries and Galloway and getting caught in a snow/rain storm. Despite wearing head to toe goretex waterproofs I eventually got soaked to the skin and was then faced with a 4 hour drive home. Even with the roof on, I was shivering uncontrollably by the time we got to Abington serices on the M74, and had to wear some of my wife's clothes to get us home! It was this experience that finally convinced me to get a heater. back here because I want to be. Edited by - charlie_pank on 4 Jan 2010 13:31:07 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djg Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 The fresh air heater boxes are only plastic, so potentially could be modified. Doug Edited by - DJG on 4 Jan 2010 15:54:39 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Domus Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 Charlie, please tell, which items of your wife's clothing did you wear? 😳 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Mears Posted January 5, 2010 Author Share Posted January 5, 2010 What about cutting a new louver in the existing bonnet? Would the cost be greater than £175 for a new one, as caterham cars want about £175 for the bonnet plus £250 for the heater conversion, which could be found second hand. This is a lot of money just to cure a rattle 😳 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
millsn Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 Cars vary in their ambient temps. My XF was verty cold in the winter. My zetec runs naturally much hotter. You chaps may be talking cross porpoises Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Mears Posted January 6, 2010 Author Share Posted January 6, 2010 I saw a post about someone who had converted to a new heater but can't find it now, anyone help. Or how can I stop the lid of the original heater vibrating so much? How about covering in fire proof sticky sheet ( the silver stuff) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djg Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 If it just the lid vibrating then a relatively thick steel strp rivetted/screwed to it may help. Or some of that black panel drum stuff may help. Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LesG Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 Peter, search techtalk for 'mr2', that brings up that thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Posted January 11, 2010 Share Posted January 11, 2010 OK it was me 😬 MR2 MK1 heater motor and fan conversion The flange round the top of the heater is bigger than the original motor so a larger hole is made and three new holes drilled for the bolts. FreeRange7 http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2404840560089816983khvSRw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Mears Posted January 12, 2010 Author Share Posted January 12, 2010 That looks good and plenty of motors on the bay of fleas for £20, might give it a try Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Mears Posted January 12, 2010 Author Share Posted January 12, 2010 Great pictures Phil, what a good modification. Could you clear a point for me. Are the two wires going into the unit from the switch both live, one routed through the capacitor to give the low and high speed? I can see the earth but the unit is back together now and my 12v tester is nowhere to be found. Phil, did this all work out in the end as I am going to get a MR2 unit very soon off ebay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clousta Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 This is a great thread and has inspired me to have a closer look at my heater. The original fan works in lo and hi speed. My son told me that it worked on his side but I can report that nothing much happens on my (the driver's side). I investigated tonight. On the passenger side the fan sucks from the cockpit OK and provides a reasonable flow (but I am sure it could be better). The driver's side: hardly any sucking an no flow. I don't have a heater control valve and intend to fit one when I convert my cooling system to a closed system. Maybe the drivers side has been blocked off to try and reduce the flow of hot air into the driver's foot well? The 4 (well only 3 to be honest) screws holding the heater to the scuttle have been treated with penetrating oil. Unfortunately, I will have to shift the whole unit to gain access to the screws on the rear side of the lid to have look see. My right-angled screwdriver/ratchets are just to big to undo the screws retaining the lid. While I am about it, changing to a modern fan would probably be worth while. So this is work in progress. Gavin 1988 1700 Supersprint (LA, long cockpit) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 I think that there are two wires, one red, one white, think they are both live, the earth comes off the motor. The fan gives better heat than it did before. Hope this helps. FreeRange7 http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2404840560089816983khvSRw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alextangent Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 You'll find a small deflector on the driver side/clutch pedal side pop riveted to the hole. It seems to deflect quite a bit of the heat, but it may be there to make the two holes different sizes, and hence provide some primitive circulation? Alex McDonald Loud, louder, loudest... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Mears Posted January 12, 2010 Author Share Posted January 12, 2010 Many thanks again, two more questions. Is the Mk2 MR2 fan the same? Whats the pipe (or hose) on the top do. Think Im close to ripping this out and going for it with a big drill 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 I have no idea if the MK2 is the same or not, cannot help with that one. The hose on top is a breather used on the Mr2, I just left it on, it is not connected in any way. Good luck. FreeRange7 http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2404840560089816983khvSRw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Mears Posted January 13, 2010 Author Share Posted January 13, 2010 800 views and 20 posts....................Ive got a heater, a hood and a windscreen and I'm proud of it 😳 Time to get out of the closet and own up Can you tell I didn't get to work today 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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