Old school live axle heater plumbing

[Gridgway]

The live axle caterham that I am refurbing has a heater.  When I got it, it was bypassed.

There is a heater valve and control which is definitely after market as it were.

Can anyone advise on how the flow of hot coolant through the heater is controlled as standard please?

Pics would be very helpful. Thanks!

[John Vine]

I have two Assembly Guides that include heater details: a 1992 (single PDF) and a Nov 1996 (30 separate PDF sections). 

If you'd like these, PM me your email address and I'll pass them on.

JV

[OldAndrewE]

I have got this diagram which I think is from the 1992 guide John mentions above

Do you know why it is bypassed?  Could be because it is leaking.

[Gridgway]

Thanks both. I have the 1996 guide, but not the 1992 guide.  John, my email address is:

graham

at

ridgworld

dot

come

That picture is very helpful thanks Andrew.  Regarding why it was bypassed, that is a question I have been investigating.  I have had the heater out and apart - what a wonderful thing the heater matrix is - a work of art.  There is no sign of a leak and it passes the Ridgway blowing in it test!  However the current rather heath-robinson valve control doesn't cut off the flow of water so I suspect it was always hot.

The other possibility is that there was some cooling problem with the motor and taking the heater out of circuit helped that in some way.  I only drove it a couple of short journeys before I started my winter refurb project (it's still winter isn't it?).  The motor is away having a full rebuild (good thing as we found a cracked crank) and upgrade.

Back to the valve, my 1996 guide has reference to a valve kit HV01 which is what I think I need.  On the caterham parts website it has this https://caterhamparts.co.uk/heater/2397-heater-control-cable-for-black-plastic-valve.html?search_query=heater+control+valve&results=78 although it is out of stock.

[Jonathan Kay]

"Back to the valve, my 1996 guide has reference to a valve kit HV01 which is what I think I need."

Someone once identified the source of the heater valve in early Ks. Possibly from a taxi? I'll search the archives if no-one has found it by the time I've finished teaching tonight. 

And I'd ask Redline.

Jonathan

[rkeywood]

Hi

How old is the car? Early cars (pre 91?) had no control on the water side, you just have the fan switch. JK can no doubt assist with a manual if your car is pre 92 or I've a pdf copy of the 88 manual if that's of use.

Rob

[Gridgway]

It's 1995, but doesn't have the pedal box in the picture in #3.

I've got the 1988 guide, it's the 1992 one I've not got.  I'll also check with Chris at Redline.

[Jonathan Kay]

Yes, I have 1988 and 1995/6 Assembly Guides for any Member who wants them.

Jonathan

[rkeywood]

To add, assuming its a recirc only heater with shut off on the return then to be honest there's a host of aftermarket metal valves (from kitcardirect and others) that are better than trying to source the black plastic Caterham supplied valve. The cable is a standard dash mount push / pull item from the same sources

R

[Gridgway]

Interestingly, doing some googling what's on there came from car builder solutions and it really doesn't fit.  The valve is ok, but the cable location mechanism is all wrong!  That's why I'd like the standard Caterham solution.

[John Vine]

Re #4:  1992 AG on its way.

JV

[John Vine]

Re #3:

...which I think is from the 1992 guide...

You're right (page 226).

JV