I got my car about 3 weeks ago and the heater wont blow hot, I looked under the bonnet and noticed the pipes going into the heater matrix and the pipes coming out of the heater matrix had been cut and joined together bypassing the heater. I spoke to the previous owner and he said steam was coming out when he was coming home one day and he called the AA and they fixed it. I assumed that they did a "get you home job" because the heater radiator was leaking, and as the price for getting it repaired I have been told is £500 I cant even consider getting it fixed. But............ Reading on here I now wonder if it might be the HBV How can I tell Does anyone know a local repair garage that will be honest with me and if it is the HBV how much to get it repaired and anyone know anyone who knows anyone?? Any help would be great I love the car but hate being cold !!
I have just realised you have also placed this under 'general chat' where I answered as follows:
I know when the heater matrix goes it does get very steamy all over your windows; had it on a Carlton once and had to strip all the dash back to the bulkhead to get to it and replace .
However, with yours it could be worth reconnecting the pipes, refilling the system and bringing up to full working tempreture to see what happens. You should then be able to see where the steam is coming from; Matrix or HBV. If the pipes have been cut, then buy a new set as you will need them anyway whatever unit is faulty. If it is the matrix or HBV then come back to this site for expert guidance, but be ready with your tool kit and a Haines Omega manual.
Certainly Vx will charge £75 per hour , exclusive of parts, so you want to avoid this at all costs. There may be somebody from the forum who is much closer to you who can help you either physically or with recommending a good mechanic who will do an honest job if you cannot attempt this yourself.
That's how I would approach the problem.