Hi,
I have a 2003 Mercedes Vito 108 CDI van and the heater in the van can take nearly 10 minutes before any heat starts to come through. This is from a cold start to driving straight away. During winter it was horrible as you can imagine. The heater booster button works but makes no difference in those 10 minutes. Can anyone advise me what may be wrong or what I could look at? I would have to take the van to a garage as I prefer someone with experience to work on my van, though it would be good to have some knowledge of whats possibly wrong.
Cheers
Lee

 

Move south? Way south....

I wish I could help you out with this. Does your engine reach normal operating temperature in the normal amount of time? If not, I'd possibly replace the engine cooling thermostat. If it is stuck open, it will allow your coolant to travel through the radiator before it needs to.

On my E430, I had a problem similar to yours. I found there to be an auxiliary circulating pump which circulates coolant through the heater core. It had failed and caused the problem. Simple replacement.

On my SD my SEL, I was getting nowhere near the amount of BTUs as expected. Both had the duovalve sticking. Simple repair - disassemble the valve while still in the car, pull the inside cartridge out, put the new one in, and close it back up.

I do not know if you car has either the little pump or the duovalve, but it's a start!