How hot is your heater?

[The Talking Donkey]

Interesting conversation. Had mine on auto climate from new so hadn't really noticed how rubbish the heating system is on manual. But you're correct, it's terrible.

[Scootersp]

The difference is like night and day now.

After a good drive pop the hood and check (carefully - health and safety and all that) the temperature of your radiator top hose (if it's like mine it goes into the radiator on the drivers side) it should be very hot. Mine was luke warm after a drive in the last 0 to -2 degrees cold snap before Christmas.

Whilst it is a botch I don't believe this inline method has any downsides beyond introducing a weakness due to the number of new joints in the top hose. I reasoned that it 'may' slightly reduce the maximum flow compared to stock ie in an Arizona traffic jam with full aircon on too it may push it more towards overheating, but in the temperate uk it should never get such a stress test?

Anyway I keep an eye under the bonnet more than most owners I suspect and am quite hands on generally, but not quite enough to take on the real thermostat replacement. When you see engine hoist (which I have but it's a warning sign!) mentioned and 1 hours labour turning into 4 for a qualified mechanic/garage I'm thinking I'll pass and take the easy way out.