Heating and ventilation upgrades address the two most common complaints about the Midget's heater: insufficient heat output and, on the 1500 specifically, the tendency for the original water control tap and elbow assembly to seize. Uprated heater matrices with improved heat transfer are available within the 1275cc and 1500cc heater system sections, providing a direct-fit replacement with a denser core for noticeably better cabin heat. This section covers the dedicated upgrade kit for the 1500 heater control system.
Midget 1500 Heater Control Kit
The 1500 heater control kit is the primary heating upgrade for 1500 owners. The original water control tap and elbow assembly fitted to all 1500 models is prone to seizure from limescale and corrosion, typically locking in the closed position and leaving the car without cabin heat.
The replacement kit provides a remote dash-mounted heater control valve with improved materials and sealing, offering smoother operation and better resistance to the corrosion that plagues the original equipment. Full details of the kit contents, fitting procedure, and the background to the original design's shortcomings are covered in the dedicated Midget 1500 Heater Control Kit section.
General Heating Improvement
When renewing the heater matrix on any Midget, whether as a standard replacement or an uprated item, the foam seal that wraps around the matrix within the heater case must also be renewed. A deteriorated seal allows air to bypass the matrix rather than passing through it, drastically reducing heat output. A new matrix fitted with an old collapsed seal will not deliver the improvement expected. Regular coolant changes with the correct antifreeze concentration provide the best long-term protection for the heater circuit, maintaining the corrosion inhibitors that prevent the internal waterways from silting up.