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I have discovered a hissing noise when the air re-circulation switch is off. I'm guessing it's a vacuum leak? Also, the heater doesn't seem to work. I suspect this is the valve which allows the hot water into the heater core is stuck but I don't know where this valve is? Any help would be appreciated!

RubaSue,

There's no tap in the heater line for the L series - there's always hot water flowing through the heater core unless it is blocked or the hoses to it are blocked. The other thing that may not be operating properly is the flap in the heater box that directs air over the heater core. The cable is accessable from the driver's footwell, there's a black cover that needs to be removed, then you'll be able to see if the cable is working properly. If its not that it could be a broken cog (they use a set of gears to get the movement of the cable around a corner) or the arm attached to that cog is not working for some reason...

Yes, I'd say its a vacuum leak. But I usually find with my L that it occurs when I turn mine on to recirculate as that's when it pulls the flap closed... I've been lazy with mine as its a pain in the arse to fix, I'll do it when I have the dash out again.

Check the heater stuff, if that doesn't fix it, to properly inspect it you'll have to pull the dash out. Also try reverse flowing the heater core, this might push out some crap. Later on you'll probabily have the pleasure of experiencing one of the plastic end tanks on the heatercore letting go. I've done it twice now, I've fixed the problem with an all copper core

Cheers

Bennie

It does sound like one of the vacuum lines as come off inside the car. Have you just had something like an immobiliser or alarm fitted recently? I had this same problem after I had one fitted. Turned out that the installer hadn't connected them back up before putting the dash back together

Where abouts are you located? I'm in Kelmscott and can check it out if you're close

Thanks for your explanation El Freddo. We fixed the heater (the cable had come off). We'll get on to the vacuum hose when we have time to pull the dash out. Thanks for the offer RSR555 - would be grateful for another set of hands when we get to it!

No probs