Heater - Cooling Help Or Hindrance?

[nelmo]

Just out of interest - does a heater help with coolant cooling or actually make it worse (because hot coolant is diverted away from the radiator and not cooled as well by the heater matrix)?

 

[fry61]

IMO its an extra radiator -- in winter driving the dash gauge temperature shows lower with heater ON & in summer if gauge starts to climb above NORMAL first action is to switch ON heater fan to help bring the temperature down. Our heater is the matrix from the Sierra donor & remains in circuit all year, next to no heat to cab or screen without the fan running.

[Guest 2b cruising]

Enough already said. Both above correct.

[fry61]

No windscreen then, Rob?

[Snapperpaul]

Years ago driving dodgy old fords (and other makes) if it started to get hot I would open the windows and crank up the heater and fan, usually dropped the engine temp by 5 degrees

[Guest Gargoil]

Yes it can help in an emergency/get you home type of way, depending on the problem.

However if you have cooling issues, then relying on your heater isn't a good idea.

[Guest mower man]

Years ago driving dodgy old fords (and other makes) if it started to get hot I would open the windows and crank up the heater and fan, usually dropped the engine temp by 5 degrees

I used to do that with my 1275 cooper s in queues or heavy slow traffic ,always worked !!!