Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: Pmacca2000 on 13 March 2017, 08:26:29

Title: Defrosting screens
Post by: Pmacca2000 on 13 March 2017, 08:26:29
Has anyone else got slow blowers?
I go out to my frost covered Omega most mornings and once the temperature needle starts climbing direct the warm air to the windscreen.
While the fan is at full power it seems to take ages to clear the screen compared to my old Saab?
Title: Re: Defrosting screens
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 13 March 2017, 09:54:29
Does the aircon work?
Title: Re: Defrosting screens
Post by: Pmacca2000 on 13 March 2017, 13:46:07
Yes, no problems there just slow
Title: Re: Defrosting screens
Post by: Viral_Jim on 13 March 2017, 13:48:40
Cabin filter been replaced recently?

This was the problem on my old car (saab 9-5), blower performance was greatly improved when the manky filter element, plus leaves, twigs & sweetie wrappers were removed from the cabin filter.
Title: Re: Defrosting screens
Post by: GastronomicKleptomaniac on 13 March 2017, 15:34:32
Boot vents behind the first aid flap clear?
Title: Re: Defrosting screens
Post by: Nick W on 13 March 2017, 16:42:31
Blocked heater matrix.
Mine is the same, and even after flushing it the heat output is no better than OK once it finally warms up.
I have a new matrix to fit, but didn't have time to do it before we left. Just like the NSR wheel bearing that is now rumbling when it was just moaning - that will be £25 and a couple of hours work when I get home.
Title: Re: Defrosting screens
Post by: Pmacca2000 on 13 March 2017, 21:04:34
As far as I know the vents are clear, not sure about the pollen filter, the cars getting hot just takes a while to warm the screen enough to do some good.
Title: Re: Defrosting screens
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 13 March 2017, 21:22:24
Aircon is merely one component in the climate control system... does your Aircon work?
Title: Re: Defrosting screens
Post by: Pmacca2000 on 14 March 2017, 21:35:32
Yes bud, no problems with that
Title: Re: Defrosting screens
Post by: Viral_Jim on 14 March 2017, 22:43:25
I would check the filter. It's a bit of a fiddle and is a classic "just tick the box" item. I also cleaned out about a foot of leaf bits from the box under the plenum (if that's the right word). If those are deeper in yours than mine that could also restrict airflow.

I fancy that as an option purely because it would affect the rate of airflow without affecting the ac or the rate at which the car got warm.
Title: Re: Defrosting screens
Post by: cam.in.head on 14 March 2017, 23:11:45
Some heater matrixes are difficult to flush completely whilst still in place .if you cut one open you will see why. Its much better to remove to do properly and on some cars such as cav mk1 / manta this is very easy to get out but on the omega its more of an involved job.if your car hasnt been "modified" to make this easier then this isnt a 10 minute job.and if you did get it out it would probably be better to replace after all the trouble .even if the pipes are getting hot this doesnt prove you have a good flow through it but its also worth checking that your servo arms are connected to the flaps. Common problem due to them being a push fit plastic.they can come off and require heating/ bending to re fit.
Title: Re: Defrosting screens
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 15 March 2017, 09:32:04
If the aircon works it should demist effectively almost regardless of temperature.

Are the boot cubby holes full of stuff?
Are the rear and face vents closed when you are trying to clear the screen?
Have you tried opening the rear windows slightly to draw damp air from the cabin whilst driving?
Do you use climate control in ECO mode?

Flooded pollen filter is your most likely culprit if cabin is damp.

My money is one either aircon not working, being misused or a blocked scuttle.
Title: Re: Defrosting screens
Post by: biggriffin on 15 March 2017, 09:51:10
If the aircon works it should demist effectively almost regardless of temperature.

Are the boot cubby holes full of stuff?
Are the rear and face vents closed when you are trying to clear the screen?
Have you tried opening the rear windows slightly to draw damp air from the cabin whilst driving?
Do you use climate control in ECO mode?

Flooded pollen filter is your most likely culprit if cabin is damp.

My money is one either aircon not working, being misused or a Blocked scuttle.


There is a guide, in the relevant section.
Title: Re: Defrosting screens
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 15 March 2017, 10:05:03
Has anyone else got slow blowers?
I go out to my frost covered Omega most mornings and once the temperature needle starts climbing direct the warm air to the windscreen.
While the fan is at full power it seems to take ages to clear the screen compared to my old Saab?

Model year is it?

There was an issue on some early Facelifts where the recirc would kick in and you had to cycle through the settings to get it to reset

Title: Re: Defrosting screens
Post by: Pmacca2000 on 15 March 2017, 21:00:23
It's a 99 build but 2000 registered
Title: Re: Defrosting screens
Post by: Webby the Bear on 15 March 2017, 21:29:25
I've seen a couple of "interesting" heater matrix flushing methods of late namely involving driving round for a week with fairy liquid in the coolant followed by a flush with water and refill.

Say what you like but you can't argue with the results....the crap that came out as biblical. Empty it out. All good.
Title: Re: Defrosting screens
Post by: Andy H on 15 March 2017, 22:46:26
Has anyone else got slow blowers?
I go out to my frost covered Omega most mornings and once the temperature needle starts climbing direct the warm air to the windscreen.
While the fan is at full power it seems to take ages to clear the screen compared to my old Saab?

Model year is it?

There was an issue on some early Facelifts where the recirc would kick in and you had to cycle through the settings to get it to reset
My 2003 facelift has done that on occasions.

The Vauxhall bulletin suggested that it happens if the voltage drops below 8 volts.

I am a bit dubious about that explanation - but it did happen to me several times just before my alternator failed and has only done it once or twice since..........
Title: Re: Defrosting screens
Post by: GastronomicKleptomaniac on 17 March 2017, 21:31:05
I've seen a couple of "interesting" heater matrix flushing methods of late namely involving driving round for a week with fairy liquid in the coolant followed by a flush with water and refill.

Say what you like but you can't argue with the results....the crap that came out as biblical. Empty it out. All good.

Central heating cleaner works :y
Title: Re: Defrosting screens
Post by: Pmacca2000 on 17 March 2017, 22:05:27
The cabin is dry, not fried opening the rear windows, I think the rear vents are open although you can hear the air change direction effectively when you move from cabin to screen etc.
In the side pockets of the boot is a first aid kit, jump Leeds a bottle of auto glym and a cloth But that's it.
Title: Re: Defrosting screens
Post by: Kieran on 18 March 2017, 21:39:56
Is it an estate or saloon.
Title: Re: Defrosting screens
Post by: tunnie on 18 March 2017, 22:20:06
I've seen a couple of "interesting" heater matrix flushing methods of late namely involving driving round for a week with fairy liquid in the coolant followed by a flush with water and refill.

Say what you like but you can't argue with the results....the crap that came out as biblical. Empty it out. All good.

How much did you put in, did you drain it from the rad tap or flush it out of the heater matrix pipes?
Title: Re: Defrosting screens
Post by: Webby the Bear on 19 March 2017, 10:17:33
I've seen a couple of "interesting" heater matrix flushing methods of late namely involving driving round for a week with fairy liquid in the coolant followed by a flush with water and refill.

Say what you like but you can't argue with the results....the crap that came out as biblical. Empty it out. All good.

How much did you put in, did you drain it from the rad tap or flush it out of the heater matrix pipes?

no idea, it wasn't my job (I'll find out for you though). I thi the lad pulled the matrix pipes off and back flushed it to get as much junk moving as possible. Then just dumped a load in to the header tank with water. Boom. The amount of shite in the header tank just from bleeding was monstrous  ;D
Title: Re: Defrosting screens
Post by: Pmacca2000 on 19 March 2017, 15:46:27
Mine is a saloon
Title: Re: Defrosting screens
Post by: Webby the Bear on 19 March 2017, 18:31:26
Got a text from him. Quarter of a bottle of fairy  :y