166 - Cabin Temp

Hey Guys!

My 166 tends to blow in hot air into the cabin even if the climate control is set at LOW but with the aircon compressor disengaged (Econ). The air blowing in is quite a bit hotter then the air outside the car. Only when the aircon compressor is engaged will the air cool down very nicely. On a cool day when traveling at highway speeds the air temp of the air entering the cabin is actually acceptable.

I did notice that there is no foil-type heat resistant cover between the engine and firewall, only the normal cloth-type padding and protective plate over the rear outlet manifold. Is something missing there which causes the air blown into the car to be too hot?

I don't want to have the aircon engaged all the time for it increases fuel consumption and there is a loss in power, especially at the altitude of Pretoria (South Africa).

Any idea what is might be, or is this quite common for this car?

Worth cleaning the small fan for the cabin temp air intake. To one side of the steering wheel (on a rhd it's on the left) there is a small grid. Looks like a mini speaker cover. Gently prise that off and clean all the dust from the fan. Use a torch and take care mind! you will be suprised how much dust gets in there.

the cabin temp sensor might be on the bum or clogged with dust - it's behind the wee grill beside the steering wheel and might be worth a wee clean.

god damn you mitch! You and you're slightly quicker and much better response

good to have you back again niall

If that dosen't work It might be the heater control valve?

Sound like there could be something wrong with the hot/cold air flap, or is it a valve really?

If it doesn´t turn fully to the cold position the air will of course be warmer. It may be obstructed or damaged somehow. Haven´t had a look yet how it´s constructed, but I´m sure somebody here has a exploding view image.

Another possibility is the mixed air temp sensor, not the cabin temp one.

Thanks Mitch, I will give the fan a good cleaning. Do I need to dismantle the fan housing to get to the rotor to clean it thoroughly?

I will also give the cabin temp sensor a proper cleaning. If I understand you correctly Naill, the sensor is located inside the cabin next to the steering wheel.

Now that you mention it Rikard, lately I'm getting a message on the ICS saying the climate control system is faulty. This message comes and goes, but when it happens I do hear something like a 'klak' sound in the dashboard, so it might be the hot/cold air flap not functioning properly.

Any ideas how to get to that flap??

Originally Posted by armand du toit

Thanks Mitch, I will give the fan a good cleaning. Do I need to dismantle the fan housing to get to the rotor to clean it thoroughly?

I will also give the cabin temp sensor a proper cleaning. If I understand you correctly Naill, the sensor is located inside the cabin next to the steering wheel.

Me and Mitch are actually talking about the same thing - just that Mitch's explanation was better

To be honest, if you're getting an error message and clunking noises it does sound like something else....getting to the airbox/flaps is a bit involved i think.

I had air-con problems and it turned out to be the sensor on the driver's wing mirror that was u/s so I changed it. Before I changed it the ext temp was showing -40c so the compressor was not engaging, but it's all ok now.

John B

hey guys Iam experiencing almost the same problem in my 1995 164Q it seams like it always blowing hot air out mostly at the feet. does anybody know what it could be.

Originally Posted by alfaman8875

hey guys Iam experiencing almost the same problem in my 1995 164Q it seams like it always blowing hot air out mostly at the feet. does anybody know what it could be.

Is it ONLY aiming to the feet? Could be the dreaded stepper motors...

No not only the feet. It seems to me all "Mode" settings work as they should. Upon selection of the different modes the air supply is directed as indicated.

Since I've been getting the ICS message "Air Conditioner Faulty, Contact Workshop", it seems the recirculation flap is not closing, even with the climate control "Off". I took it to the dealer and plugged it in for a diagnostic check, and the test shown a recorded error for the recirculation actuator. This explains the constant air flow even with the climate control "Off". Could this recirculation actuator also cause the air to be hot? Not that I think so. There is apparently a small plastic gear that drives the recirculation flap and it is quite common for it to strip/break.

I did clean the cabin temp sensor next to the steering wheel. It was quite dusty, but with the diagnostic check all sensors gave realistic temp readings.

Does anybody have an exploded view(s) of the heater assembly containing the hot/cold air flap etc? It might still be a while before I get hold of a workshop manual and my suspicion is that the hot/cold air flap is obstructed or faulty in some way.

The recirculation flap can indeed cause the air to be too warm with the compressor off. If it is stuck in recirc mode the air will be taken from the cabin, not outside, so if the cabin is warm so will the air be.

By the way, this is something I´m not sure about: If the aircon is set to the coldest position, why would the cabin temp drop faster with air recirculation on? Surely, if not having to cool "new" air all the time it might make sense, but on the other hand the very hot air inside the cabin will have to pass several times before it´s cooler than the outside air. And no heat is pushed out as new air is sucked in. The AC has to cool all the air mass instead of getting rid of some heat "for free".

I think i got same problem, - i got only hot air comming from system, it need to be air from inside, so its probalbly recirculation flap ?
Can you explain what it is, where it is in the car and how can i get it fixed ? cheers !