The Midget 1500 heater control kit addresses the well-known problems with the original water control tap and elbow assembly fitted to all 1500 models. The original tap is prone to seizure from limescale and corrosion, typically locking in the closed position and leaving the car without cabin heating.
The original assembly can also develop leaks at the elbow joint and tap body, dripping coolant into the driver's footwell. The background to these issues and the original water circuit arrangement are described in full in the 1500cc Heater System section.
Kit Contents
The remote valve kit provides a replacement dash-mounted heater control valve with a control cable, trunnion, and mounting hardware. The improved valve design offers smoother operation, a more positive shut-off, and better resistance to the corrosion and scaling that plague the original equipment. The kit is designed to work within the existing heater circuit without modification to the heater case or matrix.
Fitting the Kit
Fitting requires draining the cooling system, as the heater circuit is a pressurised part of the engine cooling system. The original tap and elbow assembly is removed from its bracket in the footwell and the replacement components installed in their place. After fitting, the cooling system should be refilled with fresh antifreeze at the correct concentration, the corrosion inhibitors in modern antifreeze are the best long-term protection against the new valve suffering the same fate as the original. Regular coolant changes at the intervals specified in the workshop manual maintain the inhibitor concentration and keep the heater circuit free of the deposits that cause seizure.