Improving heaters/blowers?

Hiya all!

 Must admit that my car heaters never really get better then "tepid". Is this common on mk1 gti`s?
 I have reflushed system last weekend and topped up with fresh anti-freeze to no avail. I realise it`s brass monkeys at the mo, but even when the temps normal my blowers still arn`t that good.

 Is there a "winter" thermostat or anything that i can replace. I used to do this on mini`s in the past. I`m covering the grill at the mo, to restrict airflow to push the temp up a bit..not ideal i know.. :roll:

 Any guidance would be greatly received  

Bozlem, sounds like either a duff thermostat or possibly blocked heater matrix. my heater has always been as warm as toast. Have you tried flushing out the heater matrix itself by connecting a hose to one side and disconnecting the other letting the water flow through.

cheers

Have a look under the bonnet, there is a valve that connects the matrix to the engine. If you can't see it get someone to move the hot cold knob back and forward and you'll see it move, it's under the air intake to the throttle body.

Have heard of these being faulty, cheap to replace and available from GSF. lots of post on these I think ChrisB had a post with a how to change bit.

Only change it with the engine cold!!!

Peter.

Thanks for the replies  

 Cero, is the 2 matrix tubes in the passengers footwell - one pretty much above the other? They are about 2" diameter? Are these the ones, or are they in the engine bay somewhere? Does it matter which way round i flush the hoses??

 Tallpete, had a good nose under the bonnet at dinner and spotted the plastic `n` wire "slide valve" that you describe. It wasn`t opening fully, so i give it a blast with good ol` WD40 and it loosened it up. It is noticabily warmer, but still not toasty hot… So still a puzzler really, i will replace the thermostat as it may not be fully opening either.

 Cheers for the pointers lads…  :mrgreen:

There is a winter thermostat. I think it's 93 deg. It was the only one I could find a few months ago and I'm glad! If the thermostat didn't open, you'd be cooking in the car as the engine overheated. Feel the top hose as it will be cold if the thermostat was stuck shut.

Where could i source this 93C thermostat from Yeha?
 Had a look through GSF`s catalogue, and it doesn`t state the temp of the thermostat..just engine size.
 Is it a vw dealer jobby (hope not as i don`t like my trousers being took down over price!) or a motor factor supplier?  :?

I just went to my local factors and it was the only one in stock. EKTA doesn't list alternatives. I really wanted the lower one, which I think is 82 deg. at the time, but the heat is more than welcome.