The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

I may being a numpty here.....

On my new to the road 1850 (1980 vintage) there are a few issues.
The one I am getting most stressed about are teh heater controls, There is a vent in teh middle of tey dash, just above te radio. But I can find no way of turning it off. Most of the air come out of there, when I need it on the screen. Or the lady wife wants heat on her feet.

So have I missed something?

Next, which I think is bad news. The temperature control seems to be seized. The arm moves down to half way, then becomes like a hard spring. So is always hot. Any easy access to the heater valve? Is it the same as a Toledo valve as I have a spare one ogf those somewhere.

Ta

The centre vent is turned off by rotating it downwards. Sometimes the felt, or whatever it is, comes loose and prevents it from doing so. The heater control valve is proned to seizing if not used for a while. It is located under the dash to the right of the heater. Try squirting some penetrating oil on it and working it backwards & forwards. WD40 may also work for a while.

Hi Clive, This problem of the heater valve sticking may be an 1850 "thing" as I had to do mine back in the Spring as well. Yes, it had stuck on "hot" . I took some photos as I did it. As Mart says the heater valve is on the right hand side under the dash. It is on the same level as the choke knob but further forward. If you set the driver's seat as far back as possible you will be able to see both the circular opeating cam and the valve. I just tweaked mine from under the dash and operation was restored.
HTH,
Tony.

Thank you chaps.
I will have a peek tomorrow before we head off the 50 miles in the car for lunch. Be good to have ventilation mainly to screen and feet.

I thionk the car is taking the pee. I have adjusted the headlight aim, and then teh main beam wouldn't work. But still di on flash.
Cowling off, a loose connection on part of the stalk. I soldered the bit up. Took te car for a spin, same problem. Seems to be OK if teh wire is pushed over, so now cable tied until I have teh enthusiasm to attack it again.
Sooner I get relays and leds the better....

Heater valve sticks on my 1850 too. Whacked it to unstick it and greased it with marine white grease, it's still iffy but better.

2 out of 3 of mine are stuck on hot, 1 used to be free and has stuck since, the other was already seized when bought in 2020. Mostly I live with it, stuck on cold would be worse!

The problem affects ALL Dolomite shaped cars, 1850s don't get all the fun! My Sprint is fine but the Carledo and 1500FWD are seized.

Though clouting the shaft can work to free it off, it can also make it leak, there's basically just a tap washer in there. On the upside, it IS possible to dismantle the valve (which is part of the matrix assembly) without pulling the heater box out of the car, though it's probably a darned sight easier without the parcel tray present. I often forget the blanketty blank "knee knocker" as none of my cars have it fitted!

Steve

The problem I had was that the operating shaft had started to corrode and as a result it was leaking around the shaft. I did manage to purchase a complete new valve and I changed it without taking the heater matrex out. I can't remember if I took the shelf out and I do remember it took a couple of attempts before I got it the new bits to fit without leaking. I can't remember what company had stock. I will attach a photo of the valve internals,