Heater woes

[Sheepdip]

Worth checking all areas for coolant leaks!I though the engine was losing more than normal and expected the worse.

This is how the heater looked when I got it out. The valve turns by hand but I usually left it open. I reckon it was forcing the hoses on and off that eventually weakened the connection, there's nothing holding the pipes to the car body so they will move.

I've soldered it back together, hopefully pipes are at correct angle and I'm going to put a self tapper in where the pipes come through bulkhead to hold in place.

Its a a pig of a job getting the heater out tho!

[John]

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Oh dear! I didn't think getting the heater out was actually too bad in the end, at least not as bad as I was expecting before I started. Done it three times now - final time I gave up fixing leaks and fitted a recon. The car looks a right state with the dash out though!

[Sheepdip]

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Hi John, glad someone else experienced this then. I found moving the heater was a big problem, kept looking for extra screws between the dangling dashboard, steering wheel on the seat and no room for the leadlight. I reckon the heater was stuck to the drtain hole on tunnel tho. Just hope I don't trap any of those wires on the way back in!

[John]

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Yes, the short pipe that sticks down into the tunnel got me baffled for a while the first time, but once you know it's there it not a problem to lift the front of the heater slight as you pull it out..

[Sheepdip]

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I'd be tempted to disconect all the wiring and take the dash right out next time. Although once I knew all the screws were out and it was just heaving the heater around to loosen sealant it wasn't so bad. Doing it in the garage without being able to open doors fully didn't help. I'll take the opportunity to lubricate all the flappy bits to ensure they move when the levers do.

Cheers