Toasty toes!

[xabia911]

Hi. I have an 84 3.2. I have had a problem with excessive heat though the air inlet above the pedal box. It feels like I have a blowtorch on them. It was impossible to drive in the summer and even now it is cooler it is unbearable.

It blows hot air constantly and the higher the speed the harder it blows. The rear blower is not on. I have removed the hot air manifold from the blower and that has cured it. Putting my hand over the blower exit you can feel the hot air being blown from the alternator fan.

Does anyone have an answer for this problem?

[GaryR]

IIRC the only path for hot air is through the two heater boxes, possibly the closure mechanism is rusted and they are stuck open? If you can get under the car they are easy to check out, remove and rebuild/replace if necessary..

[Showdown]

Agree with GaryR, your heater box flaps are probably stuck open. Also, you can get 3D printed adjustable direction vents from Classic Retrofit that allow you to point the heat towards your body (or away) rather than dumping it on your toes.

[GaryR]

If I owned a car it looks like you are 1.25 hours drive south from me, could come help you out... but i don't.

[MichaelSJackson]

If the flaps aren't 100% closed, they can cook your feet. Mine started jamming at 95% closed and it was still too hot.

First check the cables. The set screw(s) might just be slipping? Is the center wire kinked and binding? If the cables are disconnected, can you close the flapper completely by hand? Can you get full motion to return by spraying with penetrating fluid?

Michael J.
'78 SC

[xabia911]

Thank you for the advice. I will check the flaps.

[GH85Carrera]

The 3.2 Carrera makes a lot of heat with the heating system. Just a little leaking is a lot of heat. Pull the heater flapper boxes off, and watch the flap open and close. If they are not 100% closed, that is the issue.

I have seen them get put back on, and the installer got the cables "too tight" and the lever in off position was not closing the flaps.

[wdfifteen]

Mine was doing the same thing a few years ago. The actuating cable sheath fits into a socket at the flapper boxes. For some reason, the sheath was riding on the edge of the socket, not in the socket. As a result it was holding the hot air valve partially open. Just a little push on the cable and the sheath popped into place - no more problem. Easiest fix I've ever done on that car.

[smadsen]

For an immediate foolproof temporary fix just disconnect the big heater hose in the engine bay. Fix the heater boxes when you have half a day to commit.