How do I make my heater work on a Mk3

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How do I make my heater work on a Mk3

Postby manifold » Sat Dec 06, 2008 12:19 pm

On the Mk3 Gold Midas they use the metro heater assembly. This is quite reknown for having quite an inadequate heater, which is strange, because it works fine in a metro from my own recollections.

From my own investigations I found out that one of the main issues was the interface between the fan housing and the heater unit. These are joined by a special GRP duct, specific to the Midas. Unfortunately the connection is not very airtight and has too severe a turning for the air to flow, causing some of the airflow to back up.

The solution is to create an airtight duct between the fan housing and the heater unit and change the duct to something with a more gentle radius (like a large diameter flexi-pipe).
I haven't done the second option yet but to create an airtight seal on the existing duct is easy to do. Basically get hold of a wheel barrow inner tube. Cut a piece off about 6 inches wide. Undo fan assembly. Roll inner tube so that it joins both the heater duct and the grp duct equi-distant (so there are 3 inches covering each side. Job done. Air tight seal and more flow to your heater not spilling about in all directions.

Dont forget to rivet/glue a blanking plate over the output at top of heater unit. This is specific to the Metro and is not used on the Midas. It will just mean that excess air flow is directing to an area under the dashboard doing nothing.

Cheers,

David
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Re: How do I make my heater work on a Mk3

Postby The Sheepherd » Sat Nov 07, 2009 8:16 pm

output at top of heater unit...

You mean the main outputs in the heater unit?
But I think I first have to clear why it doesn't heat at all, seems there is no circulation of water in the system...I didn't plan to drive over the cold months, but would be nice to know that it works when I need it...
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Re: How do I make my heater work on a Mk3

Postby manifold » Sat Nov 07, 2009 9:07 pm

if there is no heat coming out of the heater it may be because someone has used a liquid product like 'radweld' for fixing radiator leaks..... unfortunately this can have a devastating effect on the heater matric and block it up.

Worth checking.

Output of heater box (in car) is two rectangular holes on top of box. These need blacking off with glue/rivets and plates otherwise you will have a lot of hot air under the dash doing nothing.
Midas Cars Forum & Facebook Page Founder

Midas Gold Convertible: 1380 steel 16v KAD & 5 sp dog box, Titanium mania, KAD fr/rear callipers, CF Steering

Midas Gold Coupe: 1380 7 port xflow, SC/CR gearbox, Titanium mania, CF Steering & seats.
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