Hello everyone
Wishing to clean the heating-ventilation system of my Fulvia series 1 coupe, I am looking to replace the peripheral rectangular seal which equips the adjustable flap that allows (or not) the incoming air to pass through the heating radiator. The rubber of this joint is well softened, therefore not effective and I cannot find a remanufacturing part on the sites of current suppliers. Does anyone have a solution? The disassembly-reassembly of this system is tedious, I would not like to put it back into service with an approximate assembly (a blanket on the feet does not work!)
thanks for any idea; (please see picture on the french forum)
Best regards Georges2
rubber seal for flap heater
Re: rubber seal for flap heater
Bonjour Georges
Good idea to fix the heater. The heater of the S1 Fulvia coupé is perfectly ok. But you have to make sure everything is working as designed.
I am afraid you have to make a new rubber flap yourself from a sheet of rubber and flexible glue.
I recommend to open the matrix and check. If (partially) blocked have a new matrix put in. Wind foam around it to make sure no air is getting around it.
I replace the fan with a computer fan with brushless dc motor. It is silent and uses 200mA or so. The original motor uses 10 times as much. If you decide to do so, go for one used in power supplies of medical equipment. Those are usually rated a 80 degr C. Best make a new plate for mounting the fan.
Also put a new rubber membrane in the heater cock. The original membrane has probably become a lot thicker. This reduces the flow and increases the risk of cracks. When it ruptures you lose all your coolant.
Have a look at the graph of the original 83 degree thermostat that I put on https://viva-lancia.com/fulvia/qanda/en ... mostat.php. When it is cold the water temp will be at 70 degree. I put in an 89 degree hose thermostat. I believe it is originally used in Renault. Put an extra clamp around the hose where the thermostat sits.
Good idea to fix the heater. The heater of the S1 Fulvia coupé is perfectly ok. But you have to make sure everything is working as designed.
I am afraid you have to make a new rubber flap yourself from a sheet of rubber and flexible glue.
I recommend to open the matrix and check. If (partially) blocked have a new matrix put in. Wind foam around it to make sure no air is getting around it.
I replace the fan with a computer fan with brushless dc motor. It is silent and uses 200mA or so. The original motor uses 10 times as much. If you decide to do so, go for one used in power supplies of medical equipment. Those are usually rated a 80 degr C. Best make a new plate for mounting the fan.
Also put a new rubber membrane in the heater cock. The original membrane has probably become a lot thicker. This reduces the flow and increases the risk of cracks. When it ruptures you lose all your coolant.
Have a look at the graph of the original 83 degree thermostat that I put on https://viva-lancia.com/fulvia/qanda/en ... mostat.php. When it is cold the water temp will be at 70 degree. I put in an 89 degree hose thermostat. I believe it is originally used in Renault. Put an extra clamp around the hose where the thermostat sits.
Re: rubber seal for flap heater
Hi Huib, nice to hear from you again.
Thanks to reply and to be still watching all aroud...
I am not fond of working on this system, because there are lots of screws and hoses, not easy to reach !
A few years ago I put all the system on a table, and had the radiator renewed by a professional shop. At last, when I turn the contact "on", I can hear a strong noise like a cafe grinder....and very few wind and never hot....
So I decided to take it off once again. This means cramps in the neck and spine for several days..
As you recommend, I will put a computer fan; I also have to replace the rubber in the cock,
However, I do not understand what means :" I recommend to open the matrix and check. If (partially) blocked have a new matrix put in. Wind foam around it to make sure no air is getting around it." what is the matrix ?
About cooling, I am really happy with my system, thermostat works fine, temperature is 70 or 71 degrees on the dashbord, and grow to 80 or a litte more when road is climbing or air temperature very hot. Coolant renew every 2 years (means 5000 km) idem for engine oil.
In fact, my main problem (except the noise of the fan) is that I never know in what sense to turn the rotative buttons under the dashbord, to open or close the air income flow, to drive air /or not, to the clim radiator, to open or close the heater cock,....and still look at the road !
Thanks to reply and to be still watching all aroud...
I am not fond of working on this system, because there are lots of screws and hoses, not easy to reach !
A few years ago I put all the system on a table, and had the radiator renewed by a professional shop. At last, when I turn the contact "on", I can hear a strong noise like a cafe grinder....and very few wind and never hot....
So I decided to take it off once again. This means cramps in the neck and spine for several days..
As you recommend, I will put a computer fan; I also have to replace the rubber in the cock,
However, I do not understand what means :" I recommend to open the matrix and check. If (partially) blocked have a new matrix put in. Wind foam around it to make sure no air is getting around it." what is the matrix ?
About cooling, I am really happy with my system, thermostat works fine, temperature is 70 or 71 degrees on the dashbord, and grow to 80 or a litte more when road is climbing or air temperature very hot. Coolant renew every 2 years (means 5000 km) idem for engine oil.
In fact, my main problem (except the noise of the fan) is that I never know in what sense to turn the rotative buttons under the dashbord, to open or close the air income flow, to drive air /or not, to the clim radiator, to open or close the heater cock,....and still look at the road !
Re: rubber seal for flap heater
Ah. Sorry Georges. The small radiator. It construction is such that it has a tendency to collect dirt at the bottom. Bring it to a radiator shop.
Re: rubber seal for flap heater
OK, thank you to increase my vocabulary
The radiator has been refurbished by a pro shop called "Normandie radiateur" several years ago, and sent back to me in a very nice condition. No problem about this. When replacing on the car, I filled the radiator through the 2 hoses before connecting them to the main circuit.
However, as the weather was cold these last weeks, but very clear and dry, I had some drives to test the warming capability. Not very good result, the air flow was not cold, but not hot, as well on the windscreen or the floor.
I am going to take off the complete box, to set a new "rubber" seal on the square flat, and a computer fan in place of the old one, which is really noisy. And of course a new seal in the cock. I am never shure if this device is open or closed.
Result in a few weeks....
best regards
The radiator has been refurbished by a pro shop called "Normandie radiateur" several years ago, and sent back to me in a very nice condition. No problem about this. When replacing on the car, I filled the radiator through the 2 hoses before connecting them to the main circuit.
However, as the weather was cold these last weeks, but very clear and dry, I had some drives to test the warming capability. Not very good result, the air flow was not cold, but not hot, as well on the windscreen or the floor.
I am going to take off the complete box, to set a new "rubber" seal on the square flat, and a computer fan in place of the old one, which is really noisy. And of course a new seal in the cock. I am never shure if this device is open or closed.
Result in a few weeks....
best regards