Stock Problems/Issues Discussions related to warranty related issues and repairs, or other problems with the OEM parts and software for MINI Cooper (R50), Cabrio (R52), and Cooper S (R53) MINIs.

Need help troubleshooting heater issues.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 8, 2017 | 04:11 PM
  #1  
Grip Grip's Avatar
Grip Grip
Thread Starter
|
4th Gear
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 315
Likes: 2
From: Greenbrier, TN
Need help troubleshooting heater issues.

Issue is there's no heat.

First off, I've changed the thermostat, and there is plenty of coolant in the car. Also, I've removed the driver's side cover and can confirm the heater core gets hot as hell, so no blockage. The dials to control air speed and output location work file. Also, the blender dial works, so the air warms or cools as it's turned back and forth, but the heat is never very hot. Also, it's only luke-warm on the two left vents, whereas the two right vents are cold only.

Is there another fan dedicated to pushing air through the heater core that might not be working?
 
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2017 | 08:56 AM
  #2  
ECSTuning's Avatar
ECSTuning
Platinum Sponsor
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 36,724
Likes: 2,537
From: Wadsworth, Ohio
Just One fan and then all those blend doors. Fan has multiple speeds, is it working on all speeds.

My guess is one of the doors is stuck and not opening on one side. Also, make sure all your twist dial vents on the dash are indeed open. 64116910916

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ll-sticks.html
 
__________________

MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2017 | 12:23 PM
  #3  
Grip Grip's Avatar
Grip Grip
Thread Starter
|
4th Gear
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 315
Likes: 2
From: Greenbrier, TN
Originally Posted by ECSTuning
Just One fan and then all those blend doors. Fan has multiple speeds, is it working on all speeds.

My guess is one of the doors is stuck and not opening on one side. Also, make sure all your twist dial vents on the dash are indeed open. 64116910916

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ll-sticks.html

Thanks for the info. The fan speeds do adjust with the dial, and the vents are open. This mini has the manual HVAC. Does the photo below look normal for the passenger side lever or is it missing the vertical rod I see on my R53 with auto HVAC?

Name:  R53%20with%20Manual%20HVAC_zps4en7hcx6.jpg
Views: 354
Size:  3.39 MB
 
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2017 | 12:30 PM
  #4  
ECSTuning's Avatar
ECSTuning
Platinum Sponsor
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 36,724
Likes: 2,537
From: Wadsworth, Ohio
You have the manual version, I believe that little arm is for the automatic which is hooked to the little synchro motors.

I would make sure that all you blend doors are open and functioning. It does not make sense that only one side is working. Maybe the door is broken on one side on the interior? Are you dash vents connected all the way in with the ***** all the way open?
 
__________________

MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2017 | 12:40 PM
  #5  
Grip Grip's Avatar
Grip Grip
Thread Starter
|
4th Gear
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 315
Likes: 2
From: Greenbrier, TN
Originally Posted by ECSTuning
You have the manual version, I believe that little arm is for the automatic which is hooked to the little synchro motors.

I would make sure that all you blend doors are open and functioning. It does not make sense that only one side is working. Maybe the door is broken on one side on the interior? Are you dash vents connected all the way in with the ***** all the way open?
I wouldn't classify the left side as working, but I can feel moderately warmer air coming from those vents vs the passenger side. I'm going to go down and rip some stuff apart now. BRB
 

Last edited by Grip Grip; Feb 9, 2017 at 02:03 PM.
Reply
Old Feb 10, 2017 | 02:15 PM
  #6  
Grip Grip's Avatar
Grip Grip
Thread Starter
|
4th Gear
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 315
Likes: 2
From: Greenbrier, TN
It seems that in most cases the issue is a clogged core, so I'm in the process of cleaning mine out. The CLR is having a field-day working it's chemical magic, which I hope is good news.

 
Reply
Old Feb 10, 2017 | 09:23 PM
  #7  
Grip Grip's Avatar
Grip Grip
Thread Starter
|
4th Gear
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 315
Likes: 2
From: Greenbrier, TN
Those clamps are the biggest PITA!!! DAMN IT!!!

Anyway, I got the core back in after the cleaning, and it's performing marginally better. I went ahead and ordered a new core tonight from O'reilly Auto for $80, so I'll throw that in tomorrow and see if I can put this to bed.
 
Reply
Old Feb 11, 2017 | 06:20 PM
  #8  
cristo's Avatar
cristo
Alliance Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 229
From: York, Pennsylvania
If the heater core gets hot as hell, it's not a clogged core.
 
Reply




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 01:31 AM.