200 Tdi Heater and Thermostat. Need More Heat!

[stabinthedark]

Last year had new radiator and flushed system including heater. My Disco doesn't get very warm so I am going to change the thermostat. My Haynes manual states the thermostat should open at 82 degrees but I note it gives 88 degrees for the 300Tdi.

Do you think I would be OK to put the 88 degrees thermostat in my 200 Tdi so it runs hotter and I get a warmer heater? I don't have the cooling fan on as I don't appear to need it but I do keep it in the back of the vehicle.

Does anyone have a 200 Tdi that does get nice and warm reasonably quickly? (Within 5 minutes, 5 miles).

[Carl]

200 Tdi thermostat should be 88 degrees (part number ERR2803).

[Rivilou]

I have a 200tdi that warms up within 5 miles, sometimes I have to turn the heating down from hot to warm because it's so hot it starts to dry my eye balls out :D:D and thats not even with it on blow!! It has an 88 degree thermostat and the temp guage doesn't run over half way unless there is a problem.

[stabinthedark]

Thanks for the info. Why Haynes states 82 degress I don't know. Will buy a new one Thursday and fit it and see if it makes a difference. Hoping to do so without draining too much of the system which should be possible as the thermostat is quite hish up.

[kevinrbeech]

Do you realise how hot 82 C is?

Another 6 C is not going to make the heater work better, I think maybe you should look elsewhere for the problem.

You either do not have "flow" to the heater matrix or it is so clogged with something nasty that it needs flushing. You could disconnect the pipes under the bonnet and check for "flow" and flush the matrix while the pipes are off.
Kevin
Btw mine heats up after about 5 miles but on my local roads that is about 10 mins travelling.

[stabinthedark]

82 V 88 degress, Yes I suppose you are correct. I think I will get the thermostat Thursday and fit it and look at the old one when I take it out to see if it appears to open and close properly. If it does look OK then I'll flush the heater matrix whilst I have antifreeze dripping everywhere.

I thought I had flushed it last year but with 3 kids with cars I forget what I have done with which car. Must start keeping a better written record of my endeavours.

[JonS]

Wih my old 200tdi, even after changing the matrix and the thermostat, I had to blank off about half the radiator, if I wanted to get warm before it was time to get out again. Not a pricy job - cardboard box from the supermarket! Jon

[tdsouza]

Put a hose through the matrix but in the return pipe. Flushing through the other way usually dislodges the obstructions and sediment build up.

[stabinthedark]

GOT A RESULT!!!

Changed the thermostat. I then back flushed the heater but only clean antifreeze and water came out. Put it all back together again and had a drive in the freezing fog with a heater that was giving loads of hot air. The temperature gauge now moves off the bottom to the first mark, which has never happened before.

I also convinced myself that the engine was more responsive and running quieter.

Thanks for the help.