alpines
[Top] [All Lists]

Re: Upgrading the Heater

To: jsrlee@powersurfr.com, alpines@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: Upgrading the Heater
From: CANISDOG@aol.com
Date: Thu, 6 Dec 2001 07:49:23 EST
Ryan,
The key to good heat is an "airtight" heater chamber and good air flow.  By 
this I mean everything involved with the air flow of these little gems must 
be sealed as they were originally.
Any air leaks around such things as the hose's, hood latch grommet, heater 
core, etc., will contribute to your problem.  When everything is right, these 
heaters work pretty good.  There's nothing like an Alpine keeping your legs 
"toasty" while you cruise around on a sunny but cold winter day.  :)  

Top Ten "Turn up the Heat" things to check:
*  Make sure all grommets leading into the heat chamber are tight.
*  Make sure you have a good gasket around the Hood Latch dish.
*  Make sure the gasket around the heater blower motor is fresh and tight.
*  Make sure you don't have any leaves or debris in the cowl vents in front 
of your windshield.
*  Make sure you don't have any leaves or debris in the small screen on top 
of your heater blower motor.
*  Make sure your fresh air vents are working right and seating right when 
closed so your not getting any cold air flow diluting your heat.
*  Make sure (this is a big one) your heater core is sealed on the bottom 
side against the body.  This is key to making sure the air's ONLY route is 
through the center of your core!  When putting the hood latch dish on, you 
should get a little resistance as you "push" and "seat" the core against a 
fresh seal in this area.  If your not, you may have some air making it's way 
around.  That means half heated air!  I like to put a couple is cushioned 
pads on those brackets that hold the core on the underside of the latch dish. 
 This keeps everything tight and no rattles. 
*  Make sure your heat cables are adjusted right so "hot" really means your 
valve is ALL the way open.
*  Make sure your heater flaps are adjusted so heat means heat and not half 
heat half defroster.
*  Of course, you need to make sure you have a core that is boiled clean and 
the right thermostat in your engine.

Paul Scofield
Colorado (Rocky Mountain Cold)

<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>