Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Plus Four, Supersport & Plus Six (CX & CXV Generation Vehicles) Plus Six Heating

Not a major issue, but noticed previously that the heating takes a longer than I would expect to commence compared to other cars I have driven.

Usually expect heat to trickle through after a few minutes and increase as the engine warms. Had a longish drive from a cold wet Harrogate this morning so would have liked some cabin warmth ASAP so paid more attention to the heater system.

Had to drive for over ten minutes - kept checking but just cold air even when the temperature gauge was showing normal.

Then it was as if a switch had been flicked and full fat hot air started.

Wondering if it’s a case of ‘they all do that sir’ or a quirk of my Plus Six.

A total flier but I wonder if it's an emissions nonsense whereby the engine has to be up to a preset temperature before allowing the heater in circuit via a valve or some such device.

That is exactly the reason my dealer explained to me Richad

Same here!!!

Same on my plus four

Paid attention to my same year (2020) Audi Q3 this morning on the way to the gym.

Parked outside - cold start- within a couple of minutes it was trickling heat out even with temperature gauge on one bar and plenty of heat on two bars whereas P6 would give no heat even when temp gauge is up to normal.

Audi engine half the size though (1.5 L) - not sure if that would make a difference.

Anyway, it is what it is - just get wrapped up if your using the Morgan when it’s

The aim of emissions minimising could well be the reason. When the coolant leak/rad problems were happening I think a solution was a flash of the ecu. It changed the triggering of the thermostat to reduce pressure build up from cold starts. I think it reduced the ‘stat opening temp thus allowing coolant to circulate earlier and at a lower temp. That would slow down coolant warming up. Basically similar to changing mechanical thermostats to different opening/closing ranges. Even removing the stat completely!
I’ve only had my Plus Four a short time so this winter will be the first heater test in earnest. I assume as it is MY23 model it should have the latest thermostat settings. Heater tests so far show good output and control. Heated seats work well too. Bum cooking on hotter setting in fact!

Thanks Clemens for confirming this, it just seemed a logical explanation to me in this environmental awareness era

A heater is at best a large heat sink after all.

It will be a feature to get the engine up to an operating temperature to reduce green house gasses. Mercedes have been since the early 90's doing something similar ie when cold especially in winter the auto holds onto lower gears (therefore higher revs) to get the engine upto an acceptable operating temp as quickly as possible. Annoying feature your can't override, but does speed up the engine warm up and hence reducing emissions as the engine revs its head off if you don't change your driving style whist the engine warms up the cold start procedure only lasts for a few moments. The cold start has usually switched off by the time I've got to the bottom of our road and then follows the normal gearbox operation

It may be me.. .. our heater in the Plus Six seems to work a little faster from cold since its 3rd radiator and ECU reflash for the revised control of the engines rotary water flow valves.. The engine certainly now warms up much more progressively. Prior to the reflash the engine would come up to working temp and then dip temp as the cooling went to the radiator then come back to normal temp..