Heater and a/c air flow problem

[bob.dent]

Ho hum....summers nearly over so time to get an old heater problem sorted out. I've had an ongoing problem whereby I can only get airflow to the windscreen and rear passenger vents regardless of what position the airflow control knob is in. I did get my garage to look at it months ago and they seem to think there was a problem with the vacuum control on the heater control panel. They said a new one from VX would be pretty expensive and if I could get a replacement from a breaker or other source, they said they would fit it for me.
Having gone for this option, the first panel I ordered was completely wrong (full climate instead of standard a/c). The second and third were both wrong as they only had 5 vacuum connectors and apparently I need one with 7. I was unable to locate a panel that had 7 connectors and sorta gave up for a while as I was still able to get hot and cold air in the car (just not where I wanted it).
So, here are a few questions.
1) Would this problem definitely be caused by a defective heater control panel or are there likely to be other causes?
2) If there are other causes, what could they be?
3) Why do some Omega's have 5 vacuum connectors and others (like mine) have 7?
4) If it is the control panel, anyone know where I can get one with 7 connectors (my control panel has the 4 rotary controls) at areasonable price or do I need to go to VX?

I'm very reluctant to get this sorted out by VX as it's likely to cost me an arm and leg

Any good advice would be much appreciated.

[Timbuk]

Vacuum pipes in engine bay dent.bob , just had same problem

[bob.dent]

Vacuum pipes in engine bay dent.bob , just had same problem

Thanks Doug but can you give me a bit more detail, (not very good under the bonnet, me )

[Timbuk]

Ok, will do my best. This is on my car , 2.5, 1996, manual aircon, dont know if your is the same!!

If you look at your oil filler cap, just to the left of this there are two vacuum pipes running front to rear, check these for obvious signs of damage, if you cant see anything run you fingers along the whole length of the pipes one by one. This was the advice i was given and it worked. The pipes run round the back of the engine around the HBV area. Bit awkward to get to in places. Mine had worn through on the aircon pipe at back of engine near to the bulkhead.

Hope this helps

[Timbuk]

Here you go mate



Here's somewhere for you to start, check as much of the vac system as you can, especially bulkhead area

[egcc]

My car as developed the same problem... when running the heater it gradually turns cold.. do you know if the vacuum pipes are in the same place for a facelift 2001 2.6 model?
I'm also not very good under the bonnet.
Dave.

[Timbuk]

My car as developed the same problem... when running the heater it gradually turns cold.. do you know if the vacuum pipes are in the same place for a facelift 2001 2.6 model?
I'm also not very good under the bonnet.
Dave.

look under thread :-  3.0 v6 engine plenum

Markjay has got a picture of a 2001 2.6 on there. looks similar

[egcc]

My car as developed the same problem... when running the heater it gradually turns cold.. do you know if the vacuum pipes are in the same place for a facelift 2001 2.6 model?
I'm also not very good under the bonnet.
Dave.

look under thread :-  3.0 v6 engine plenum

Markjay has got a picture of a 2001 2.6 on there. looks similar

thanks will do.

[egcc]

just had a look ...there is one thick pipe running from the front to the bulk then i loose it(in the same place as the pic above.), if this is the pipe it seems to be ok well the part of the pipe i can see anyway..lol from the bulk onwards wow its tight to check, is there a test i can do or is it just a matter of looking/feeling for a split in the pipe?

[Timbuk]

just had a look ...there is one thick pipe running from the front to the bulk then i loose it(in the same place as the pic above.), if this is the pipe it seems to be ok well the part of the pipe i can see anyway..lol from the bulk onwards wow its tight to check, is there a test i can do or is it just a matter of looking/feeling for a split in the pipe?

Arrow is pointing to the two thin plastic pipes, not sure if you've picked up the correct pipes?

[egcc]

told you i was bad under the bonnet...   so its the thin plastic type pipes  which are the vacuum, will check them.

Dave.

[bob.dent]

Thanks for the piccie Doug. Checked out the pipes yesterday - there's actually 3 vacuum pipes so don't know which one's which so checked them all. They all appear to be fine, although one of them disappears behind the bulkhead where I couldn't follow it further.

Looks like I'll have to get garage to sort it

[Sideways]

Bob.dent

Fistly, I love the gif of the cat scratching?

Secondyl I am currently breaking most of a 1994 Elite which sound like it has the same AC system as yours.

When you figure out what ya need give me a shoput and I'll see if I have what ya need.

Good luck,

Mark

[Timbuk]

Keep looking mr Bob.dent

[bob.dent]

Bob.dent

Fistly, I love the gif of the cat scratching?

Secondyl I am currently breaking most of a 1994 Elite which sound like it has the same AC system as yours.

When you figure out what ya need give me a shoput and I'll see if I have what ya need.

Good luck,

Mark

Hi Mark
Pleased you like the avatar - only changed it recently.

It's looking like it must be the actual heater control panel. If the one on your Elite has the manual aircon and rotary controls and has 7 vacuum connectors on the back, I'd be very interested in buying it from you.  [smiley=dankk2.gif]

Cheers,
Bob