Speeding up warm up on Hdi

[isisalar]

Just about the only thing I don't like about my HDI exclusive is the time it takes to warm up from cold, I know this is a characteristic of them and I'm sure the thermostat is working fine. For the last couple of weeks I've been working about 15 miles from home, a mostly motorway journey and even talking it easy last week's fuel consumption was about 45 mpg. On longer journeys Ive seen 59mpg so I'm putting the difference down to the amount of time the engine is running at less than perfect operating temperature.
In the'old days' placing cardboard or foil over the radiator was a common practice come winter and I'm thinking this might be a good idea to try on the xantia.
Anyone tried this, or got any advice?
Cheers
Paul

[jgra1]

mine same Paul.. although I don't think it is much worse than the xant.. takes an age to be able to clear screen and drive off..it seems at least,,

then a fair few miles before the inside of the car feels warm.. just when that happens I have to get out and sit behind a sodding desk lol
John

[c.morewood]

I use the cardboard every winter Paul, in between the radiator and the intercooler, but I can't say it makes much difference ... maybe a mile or so before the needle moves on cold mornings.. Can't say if it affects intercooling at all.
At freezing mine takes about 4-5 miles for the needle to move and really doesn't reach normal operating until I have to wait at the security gate 14 miles after start.
I do notice a drop in MPG as the weather gets colder.. my last fill was 54 after I'd put the winter tyres on. previous to that I'd been above 60 all summer... no motorways up here!!

Here's a tip for defrosting and feeling warmer when you get in the car.
For years now, I've used an electric fan heater sitting on the brake lever, for about 5 mins before leaving.. all the windows are de iced, the car is warmish and if you recirculate the air, stays warm for a few miles.

[qprdude]

Got a flap in the air intake?

[waynedance]

Guessing the C5 differs as mine takes only mins to start to get warm air from the vents.

I do however get really misted up in the morning, bought some Autoglm glass cleaner today and hope its helps.

[DHallworth]

If it's the Xantia in your signature then it'll have an Eberspacher fuel burning heater tucked behind the front bumper on the passengers side of the car. These are designed to burn a little bit of diesel to assist the coolant warming up if the outside temperature is below a certain level. There's not many Exclusives that have these working these days.

You can tell if it's working as it'll sounds like a little jet engine running behind the bumper. Quite often it's the glow plug in them that's at fault. I bought one for our HDi and never fitted it so have a spare if anyone needs one.

Lesser spec'd models such as the LX and SX had an electric glow plug inline with the coolant pipes mounted to the bulkhead.

David.

[c.morewood]

I'm sure these would be useful

http://www.amazon.com/Kats-14800-Lower- ... B000I8XD3K" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Peter.N.]

I think most of the C5s and 406s have the auxilluary heater, at least both of mine do and it would be a very cold start to the journey without one. There is not much you can do to improve it as its just not producing the heat, what was converted to heat in the old IDI engines is now being converted to power - you can't have it both ways unfortunately, if the engine isn't actually producing the heat there is not much you can do to save it.

Peter

[isisalar]

So it would seem this slow warming was a known feature from design stage, hence the auxillary heaters fitted to the HDI's. Having the heated seats it's not the personal comfort side of things that's a problem, in fact even with a non working HRW I don't suffer any major misting up problems, the air con comes on secretly on the de mist setting and soon clears the windows if necessary, it's more the fuel consumption I'm concerned with which must also be affected by running the air con thinking about it.
How much diesel do these heaters use? Is there a net benefit to the consumption or is it a purely comfort thing?
David I've sent you a PM re the glow plug.
c.morewood I would think putting cardboard in front of the rad would be the most effective place to put it and I'm going to give it a try today, I'll let you know how I get on.
Thanks guys
Paul

[Peter.N.]

I think the heaters are primarily for comfort and were fitted as you say to compensate for the low engine heat output, the consumption is I believe about 1/2 Ltr per hour, which with my intolerance of cold is well worth the cost.

Peter

[rory_perrett]

If it's the Xantia in your signature then it'll have an Eberspacher fuel burning heater tucked behind the front bumper on the passengers side of the car. These are designed to burn a little bit of diesel to assist the coolant warming up if the outside temperature is below a certain level. There's not many Exclusives that have these working these days.

My Xantia has one fitted but it has never worked, thought about fixing it but never got round to it. Last year I bought a Jag S-Type that also has one fitted which works, and it does make a difference. Now I'm thinking I ought to fix the Xantia one but access etc looks a bit of a pain. Does anyone know the whereabouts of any instructions/ manuals preferably Xantia specific but generic would be a start.

[isisalar]

Either Jim or Dickie G have done some good posts on this very subject and as and when I get a glowplug I'll certainly be digging them out. From what I recall it's not that bad a job but does need some sort of clamp to prevent the coolant from draining away.
Cheers
Paul

[rory_perrett]

Yes I've been a bit lazy - had a quick search and found some info although it does look like it has to come out to get to the glow plug etc. Also some suggestion about it requiring a reset after it has failed.

http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... berspacher" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... p?p=194848" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://translate.google.co.uk/translate ... n&ie=UTF-8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[KP]

The webasto/eber units dont use much fuel but put it all into making heat.

Ideally the thing you want is a websato unit, remote reciever and pump from a range rover 2002-2012 model

Then you wont have to worry about this cold morning stuff a bit of plumbing and wiring and you can have a warm engine and maybe a warm interior to boot

[Peter.N.]

I get warm air from the vents within a couple of minutes of starting, as far as I'm concerned its to warm me up not the engine.

Peter