Hello everyone, I am hoping for some much neede help especially in this weather.
My 1.8 Lt turbo diesal S reg. has a heating problem. the thermostat has been changed but to no avail. the ****ers are working but just ****ing cold air, regardless of what setting is used. I would be grateful for any advice and help.

thank you
Gillian

Ford Escorts Fiestas and KA's have a Valve which pack up reqularly if you follow the heater pipes off the engine they go thru a plate at back of engine bay this is where they clamp to the valve Remove pipes unplug wires and get new valve about £12 from ford dealer Sometimes the valves break when removing pipes, no problem as you are replacing valve

hi gill
several causes for this, but firstly the thermostat, has it been changed for one with higher temp rating, if not that's your poss problem.secondly start car & run to op temp, then carefully try to feel if hoses leading to heater ( near engine bulk head ) are getting hot if yes then there's a few things that need addressing. it could be as delboy advised the valve, which if memory serves ok is controlled by cables from dash controls. get a friend to operate the temp control & note if levers ( located near footwell ) on side of heater unit are moving.if not , control cable /knob maybe broken ( only solution replace either ). if levers are moving. then three known solutions, 1 replace valve, 2 bleed system, remove the heater hose that leads into cyl head ( return feed ) start & run engine just over idle speed & as soon as you have dispersed the air lock ie water coming outquite forcefully refit hose & tighten. heater should now be hot. if still no avail, remove both heater hoses ( trom heater end ) & fit a garden hose to either heater outlet & turn on hose & flush out heater rad. refit both hoses top up cooling system & try again ok? / still no heat the it looks like a replacement heater rad is last option & this will require a poss exp mechanic, as they can be quite tricky for the novice /hobbyist. do try & ask if friends or family are exp mechs as garages can rip you off big time. hope my advice helps you a lot & best of luck gill, regards dj dave.

just a note about heaters and radiators. it is not unusual that they get blocked; especially heaters. i am not a fan of replacing heater matrix on modern cars as it is usually not an easy job and embarassing to present an owner with a large bill for what should be a small job. twice recently i have used water and compressed air to flush a heater in situ. i warned the owner in each case that it is a kill or cure method but i had total success in both cases. i recommend this for an older car before spending hundreds of pounds.