Heater connections on engine for a 2001 Xstar

[TURSTY]

Ah I didn't realise they had a flow restrictor, I might look into getting one. I just have a standard Y fitting currently. It's got clear hose on it though and I can see good flow at idle so it's definitely moving water through the core.

The fast that it only gets hot under load leads me to believe it might be a sticky thermostat. If its stuck slightly open its never going to get to its full operating temp in 50-55 degree water (it's still winter here).

Will see what I can find.

[ac505]

Sorry to bump this thread...... Can somebody tell me the overall diameter of the restricted return line on the Y piece pls? I have tee'd into the raw water intake on my setup, running 14mm (9/16) hose. Thinking I may need to throttle this down a little, but not sure how far down is required.

[wheelerd]

As the diagram shows it is 5/8 -- standard heater hose size.

[bigmac]

Originally Posted by wheelerd

As the diagram shows it is 5/8 -- standard heater hose size.

The flow restrictor on the inside of that 5/8 fitting is substantially smaller than that.

[wheelerd]

Ah -- when I installed it on my X5 I didn't even look at the inside diameter.

[ac505]

Any idea how much to throttle the return down by? Was thinking on dropping it down to around 10mm (3/8)

[TURSTY]

So is it the heater return line that is restricted? I.e. the amount of water passing through the heater core is slowed down?

I have Ball valves in both the feed and return line to the heater incase of any potential leaks/hose failiers, so I could use the return live ball valve to restrict the flow if needed. Might have a play around and see if it makes a difference next time Im on the river.

[wheelerd]

Originally Posted by TURSTY

So is it the heater return line that is restricted? I.e. the amount of water passing through the heater core is slowed down?

I have Ball valves in both the feed and return line to the heater incase of any potential leaks/hose failiers, so I could use the return live ball valve to restrict the flow if needed. Might have a play around and see if it makes a difference next time Im on the river.

Sounds like a perfect solution. You can tailor the flow for optimum heat.

[ac505]

Ball valves should not be used to throttle the flow, many reasons for this (google is your friend). If you change one ball valve to a gate valve (doesnt mattet if it is on thr flow or return) then you can use that to tune the flow.

Still keen to find out the diameter of the restrictive on the Y piece, can anybody help pls?

[bigmac]

Originally Posted by TURSTY

So is it the heater return line that is restricted? I.e. the amount of water passing through the heater core is slowed down?

I have Ball valves in both the feed and return line to the heater incase of any potential leaks/hose failiers, so I could use the return live ball valve to restrict the flow if needed. Might have a play around and see if it makes a difference next time Im on the river.

Yes, the return line is restricted. I can't recall how small the hole is in that limb of the Y fitting that SkiDim sells. When I installed the Y fitting, converting from the stock OEM configuration, I just detached the return line from from the circulating pump and plugged the hole, rerouting the return hose to hook up to the Y. A few mfgrs put that Y fitting in when they install the heater option. It increases the heat output at low RPM quite a bit but it doesn't get as hot as any car I've ever had.