Heater repairs Mk2 GL

Please restrict your questions and replies to Capri related technical issues!
User avatar
Goz
Posts: 16
Joined: Fri Sep 08, 2017 2:33 pm
Car(s): Ford Capri mk2 1600GL, BBC slingshot dragster build project. 1200 Bandit daily driver

Heater repairs Mk2 GL

Post by Goz »

This was a job id been putting off all summer but as it turned out, it was easy enough...

My Capri developed a burning smell. Smelt a bit like clutch burning but it turned out to be only when the heater was on. I managed to pull the wires off the heater resistor so i could ignore it for the rest of the summer

There's a lot of information on the interweb but i thought it might help if i put what i did on here

Firstly you don't need to strip the whole dash out, see photo. Only the lower dash pieces need removing, glove box, ashtray panel, flimsy pedal cover and center console. the hardest part was getting the bracket, holding the red relay, off (single 10mm hex bolt hidden under wiring loom)
car interior.jpg
To remove the heater, drain radiator, remove hoses from bulkhead pipes, flush through heater with clean water to prevent carpet staining. Remove oval bulkhead plate and seal. inside car, disconnect heater cables from side of box, in drivers footwell. They just lever out when outercable is unbolted. remove wires from resistor. then undo the four 10mm nuts fixing heater to the car. with a bit of a wiggle the whole assembly can be lowered and slid out into the passenger footwell
heater box.jpg
Once out of the car the heater can be split into 2 half's, there's 2 metal clips by the motor, then the rest just levers apart carefully
you can then see the state of the motor, the resistor and the mouldy foam on the flaps. My motor was all melted, the resistor was rusty but complete. I decided to change it anyway

You can buy properly made resistors off the Capri sites, but all you need is a 2.2ohm 10w resistor like this one, eBay item number:262310244799, £2.39 posted. i mounted it on a bit of ally plate and put the wires out through rubber grommets. not exactly concourse or original but if it works i don't care
new resitor.jpg
fitted in box, it just clears fan so should get plenty of cooling
resitor stripped box.jpg
as i said, the old motor was all melted. a bit of research found that a mercedes sprinter one fitted (bosch part number 0130 007 027) which i found on ebay for £21.50 (eBay item number:172804792531). When it finally arrived (royal mail 48, cough 6 days! delivery) it was exactly the same as the old one! the plastic holder fitted perfect and even the wiring terminals were the same.
i carefully prised the fan off the old motor. sawing the motor apart to gain better access
old motor.jpg
i then put some new bits of foam around the heater matrix and cleaned the flaps. then put it all back together. tested the fan with a battery on both speeds for a while
the refitting is a reverse of removal, as they say in the manuals...

i managed to fix my heater for less than £30, with about 5hrs labour.
i hope this is useful information and helps somebody out

EDIT....
my MK2 has a BEHR plastic heater fitted to it, which i believe is the same as MK3s but different to the earlier metal heaters
behr.jpg
Last edited by Goz on Tue Feb 11, 2020 1:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
pbar
Posts: 7420
Joined: Thu Jun 07, 2012 6:29 pm
Car(s): Capri 2.0 Laser, frequent driver.
Location: North-West

Re: Heater repairs Mk2 GL

Post by pbar »

That's a superb write up of a job which a lot of people fear. Good one. Wonder if the MK2 and MK3 heater boxes/components are the same, it looks like it from your pics. Good cheap fix with the resistor too.
User avatar
stevemarl
Donator
Donator
Posts: 4906
Joined: Wed Jul 11, 2012 6:31 pm
Car(s): Capri 1.6 laser

Re: Heater repairs Mk2 GL

Post by stevemarl »

Fantastic write-up - sure to be of help to people in the future! Thanks for taking the time.
(you beat me to it Paul !!!)
User avatar
Bug
Posts: 3756
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2009 3:52 pm
Car(s): Some

Re: Heater repairs Mk2 GL

Post by Bug »

pbar wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2020 1:04 pm That's a superb write up of a job which a lot of people fear. Good one. Wonder if the MK2 and MK3 heater boxes/components are the same, it looks like it from your pics. Good cheap fix with the resistor too.
They are the same, yes, unless you get a very early Mk2 which may still have the original Smiths heater. They were basically the same, but metal cased.

I used to save up old heater assemblies, then people could provide whatever new components they needed, I'd build up a new assembly, then do a straight swap over at their convenience.

My record was 45 minutes from start to finish, using the same method shown above.

Only difference was, I used to remove the dash panel and then take the whole heater control assembly out with the box. (Again, i had spares available). That way I could set up the control cables and be sure they had full range of movement before I put it all back in.

One final point........... I'm sure the four retaining screws were actually 11mm?
May sound trivial, but not when you're upsidedown in the footwell wondering why the socket won't fit :D
User avatar
pbar
Posts: 7420
Joined: Thu Jun 07, 2012 6:29 pm
Car(s): Capri 2.0 Laser, frequent driver.
Location: North-West

Re: Heater repairs Mk2 GL

Post by pbar »

Thanks very much Martin, all read, understood, and noted :)
User avatar
Goz
Posts: 16
Joined: Fri Sep 08, 2017 2:33 pm
Car(s): Ford Capri mk2 1600GL, BBC slingshot dragster build project. 1200 Bandit daily driver

Re: Heater repairs Mk2 GL

Post by Goz »

Bug wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2020 1:22 pm
pbar wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2020 1:04 pm
One final point........... I'm sure the four retaining screws were actually 11mm?
May sound trivial, but not when you're upsidedown in the footwell wondering why the socket won't fit :D
apologies, ive just checked and you are right. they are 11mm nuts.

tried to edit my post but it wont let me....
User avatar
Jasonmarie
Donator
Donator
Posts: 4707
Joined: Thu Aug 13, 2015 12:30 am
Car(s): Ford Capri 2.0 Laser Mercury Grey 1987 hobby .
Mercedes Vito tourer 2.1 Big Bus Daily Driver
Location: Kent

Re: Heater repairs Mk2 GL

Post by Jasonmarie »

:applaud: Well done that man as everybody says not a easy job and you need a good back to get under that dash :beer:
Ford Capri 2.0 Laser 1987 Mercury Grey ....... :beer:
User avatar
Bug
Posts: 3756
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2009 3:52 pm
Car(s): Some

Re: Heater repairs Mk2 GL

Post by Bug »

Goz wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2020 6:03 pm
Bug wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2020 1:22 pm
pbar wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2020 1:04 pm
One final point........... I'm sure the four retaining screws were actually 11mm?
May sound trivial, but not when you're upsidedown in the footwell wondering why the socket won't fit :D
apologies, ive just checked and you are right. they are 11mm nuts.

tried to edit my post but it wont let me....
No prob. I appreciate that you took the time to document it all.
Not_Anumber
Donator
Donator
Posts: 894
Joined: Sun Jan 15, 2017 3:54 pm
Car(s): Just sold 1983 2.8 Injection 5 speed. Currently restoring another classic Previously owned 2 Capris. Likely to own another at some point

Re: Heater repairs Mk2 GL

Post by Not_Anumber »

Thats a very good write up
User avatar
pbar
Posts: 7420
Joined: Thu Jun 07, 2012 6:29 pm
Car(s): Capri 2.0 Laser, frequent driver.
Location: North-West

Re: Heater repairs Mk2 GL

Post by pbar »

Goz wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2020 6:03 pm
tried to edit my post but it wont let me....
I think you only have a time limit of one hour to do that. Don't worry though. Superb write up and info, it will help a lot of people out, one of the best threads around here at the moment.
STEVEW
Posts: 209
Joined: Sun Dec 30, 2018 10:10 am
Car(s): Ford Capri 2.3S
Project

Re: Heater repairs Mk2 GL

Post by STEVEW »

Hi Goz

Tips, tricks and alternative parts - a super post.
Many thanks.
:applaud:
User avatar
stevemarl
Donator
Donator
Posts: 4906
Joined: Wed Jul 11, 2012 6:31 pm
Car(s): Capri 1.6 laser

Re: Heater repairs Mk2 GL

Post by stevemarl »

STEVEW wrote: Thu Feb 13, 2020 7:25 am alternative parts
Especially that. £72 ?
STEVEW
Posts: 209
Joined: Sun Dec 30, 2018 10:10 am
Car(s): Ford Capri 2.3S
Project

Re: Heater repairs Mk2 GL

Post by STEVEW »

Spot on Stevemarl

:agree:
atomic4
Posts: 1077
Joined: Tue Aug 26, 2008 7:38 pm
Car(s): Ford Capri V8 Twin turbo.
W reg black 3ltr S
Location: Melbourne Australia

Re: Heater repairs Mk2 GL

Post by atomic4 »

Been there, done that a couple of times over the years of my ownership of capris. Have to admit, a job well done when it all works tho. :applaud: :woot:
User avatar
Andrew 2.8i
Donator
Donator
Posts: 14723
Joined: Sat Jan 25, 2014 7:38 pm
Car(s): '83 2.8 Injection (sunny days only)
'04 Toyota MR2 (owned from new)
Location: Ceredigion
Contact:

Re: Heater repairs Mk2 GL

Post by Andrew 2.8i »

As said by the others, that's a great write-up that is sure to prove to lots of people in the future.
I'm particularly interested in the use of an alternative Bosch heater motor, especially as there is a significant cost saving over the Capri item. It's reassuring to know that the motors are identical and won't need any modifications to fit.

Andrew.
Image
User avatar
D366Y
Donator
Donator
Posts: 2568
Joined: Mon Sep 03, 2012 2:26 pm
Car(s): 1986 Laser 1.6, daily runaround project
1981 GL Auto 2.0, Barn-Find-Resto, now also a runaround project
1980 3.0S, crash damage resto
1993 Fiesta 1.1

Currently full up and no more space but I still want a 2.8...
Location: Buckinghamshire

Re: Heater repairs Mk2 GL

Post by D366Y »

This is a great write up thank you! Ordered a new Bosch Sprinter motor and it fits right in, and at £29 as opposed to £55-60 for a 'capri' one I'm well chuffed.

I have a question about the resistor... I found this part and thought it may be easier to use as I wouldn't have to make as much to re-make one as naturally the original has cracked in half.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aluminium-Cl ... CbkwwIS0Ug

My question is, would this work, and am I better getting a 10W 2.2Ohm resistor, or going for a 25W 4.7Ohm resistor or will it not make that much of a difference anyway?
Only thinking of using this part as it's roughly the same size and shape as the old resistor and would be easier for my skills to mount onto a board, and I can still then use the coil wound inside my old resistor to connect it to a new board - or even just glue that old board back together and use this to keep it together...??

Thanks
Danny

EDIT:
I did find this bargain for a NOS resistor if you want it?!? :shock:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MK2-ESCORT-M ... Swc6Relu2u
A wise man once said... "you can never have too many capris - buy another" :beer:
It's me, I'm the wise man.
User avatar
stevemarl
Donator
Donator
Posts: 4906
Joined: Wed Jul 11, 2012 6:31 pm
Car(s): Capri 1.6 laser

Re: Heater repairs Mk2 GL

Post by stevemarl »

The 4.7ohm resistor will just `pass` less current than a 2.2ohm one so the motor will run a bit slower: couldn`t say which will give nearest to the original low sppeed but I`d have thought 4.7 cos it is quite a lot slower (quieter) than on high? Maybe get one of each and see which you prefer, they`re both ok. (The power shouldn`t exceed 10w in either case, and they are rated in free air not with a cooling fan so a 10w R should be more than adequate. The wattage of a resistor is to do with how much power it can dissipate before failing, it`s not that it`s more `powerful`as such (sorry if you knew that :oops: )
User avatar
D366Y
Donator
Donator
Posts: 2568
Joined: Mon Sep 03, 2012 2:26 pm
Car(s): 1986 Laser 1.6, daily runaround project
1981 GL Auto 2.0, Barn-Find-Resto, now also a runaround project
1980 3.0S, crash damage resto
1993 Fiesta 1.1

Currently full up and no more space but I still want a 2.8...
Location: Buckinghamshire

Re: Heater repairs Mk2 GL

Post by D366Y »

stevemarl wrote: Thu Apr 30, 2020 11:25 pm The 4.7ohm resistor will just `pass` less current than a 2.2ohm one so the motor will run a bit slower: couldn`t say which will give nearest to the original low sppeed but I`d have thought 4.7 cos it is quite a lot slower (quieter) than on high? Maybe get one of each and see which you prefer, they`re both ok. (The power shouldn`t exceed 10w in either case, and they are rated in free air not with a cooling fan so a 10w R should be more than adequate. The wattage of a resistor is to do with how much power it can dissipate before failing, it`s not that it`s more `powerful`as such (sorry if you knew that :oops: )
Hi Steve that's great thanks for letting me know! I might just get one of each like you said, both cars need doing so I'll put one in each and see what the difference is??

Thanks also for clarifying about the wattage, I didn't know how much goes through the resistor or if it would just fail immediately if it wasn't high enough!

Cheers
Danny
A wise man once said... "you can never have too many capris - buy another" :beer:
It's me, I'm the wise man.
User avatar
Goz
Posts: 16
Joined: Fri Sep 08, 2017 2:33 pm
Car(s): Ford Capri mk2 1600GL, BBC slingshot dragster build project. 1200 Bandit daily driver

Re: Heater repairs Mk2 GL

Post by Goz »

Glad this was useful to you Danny

re the resistor. i managed to measure the resistance of the original at 2.2 ohms, so that is what i used for the replacement. as Steve says a 4.7 ohm resistor would just make the motor run slower

the original mounting board seems to be made of crumblyium and disintegrates when you touch it, so i just made a plate out of ally and passed wires out through rubber grommets. mainly because thats what i had lying around. you can by the proper insulating board from electronics suppliers if you look around

please let us know how you get on and post any pictures for reference
User avatar
stevemarl
Donator
Donator
Posts: 4906
Joined: Wed Jul 11, 2012 6:31 pm
Car(s): Capri 1.6 laser

Re: Heater repairs Mk2 GL

Post by stevemarl »

Goz wrote: Fri May 01, 2020 9:51 am i managed to measure the resistance of the original at 2.2 ohms, so that is what i used for the replacement
That`s really useful for future reference, thanks.
Post Reply