Re: Wimpy Heater/4000q

[rdh@sli.com (Robert D. Houk)]

   Help .. is my heater "normal" with its below adequate output? 

We're talking Audi, right?

   I have changed the antifreeze and thermostat (180) 
   I have a cover on the front but it is still not toasty inside.
   The temperature gauge reads mid or mid high normally.

The only thing I will say *for* my '83 UrQ's heater is that it is more
effective (more BTU's delivered to interior) than my ole Lotus Europa.

   There is okay heat at low speeds but higher it turns coolish.
   Through the defrost or floor its always cool.....

Yeah, at idle the wonderful (****ed ** the ****) engine water pump/
thermostat are completely *****ed and run the head temp up to 220F or
so *normal* operation (with 180F thermostat; stock it runs it up to
more like 230F!!!!!), so with the "superheated" (loosely speaking)
coolant, you "win" a few extra degrees' worth of warmth. At speed, the
water pump manages to pump enough coolant that the engine (head) even-
tually settles down to thermostat + 20 or so degrees (F) (i.e., about
200F head coolant temp with 180F thermostat).

With my ole boringlyreliableutterlydependable Mitsubishi sh,er,econbox,
at idle, at -10F or so, I could turn the heating fan on high and watch
it suck the warmth out of the engine (eng temp noticeably drops to way
below "normal" and heater temp noticeably drops as a result; with the
Audi, at idle, putting the fan on high only sucks in more cold air
(i.e., cools off the heater core) -- so little coolant flows that the
engine still heats up to 220F (head) temp, and I hear the radiator fan
cyling on to help cool off the engine.

And all this is not to mention the unheated air only through the center
vents...even with them "closed" and locked down, some of that nice fresh
brisk -20F air wanders around . . .

Deep Heavy Sigh.

   If it wasn't for the heated seats I would be not at all happy. 

At least you have heated seats! But sheepskins are almost as good, and
cool (wonderful!) in the summer to boot!

   As its going to -25C tonight I am wondering what to do 
   next...

Wear a sweater and gloves...