Heater removal

[pennine]

OK so the car is all painted, mostly all put back together apart from the seats which are being re foamed and recovered. So I thought I would replace the heater valve and check for leaks before the new carpets go in, guess what :X.

So dash is out completely, four bolts are removed, heater pipes are off but will she budge ??? Not sure if I need to drill out the 2 small rivets at the front of the heater that attaches the thin plate running under the heater, I'm thinking this may be attached to the bulkhead somehow. The heater is loose but not free to move if that makes sense.

Anyone done this ?

[dasadrew]

imported post

I was also near to tears when I removed mine. It finally turned out that it was being held in place by sealing compound. I pulled and pulled with my fingers in the air outlet stub pipes and it finally came free. It took so much force, however, that I dislocated a finger. Finger popped back in to place, but the joint capsulewas damaged and the recovery is slow!!!

[444John]

imported post

pennine wrote:

OK so the car is all painted, mostly all put back together apart from the seats which are being re foamed and recovered. So I thought I would replace the heater valve and check for leaks before the new carpets go in, guess what :X.

So dash is out completely, four bolts are removed, heater pipes are off but will she budge ??? Not sure if I need to drill out the 2 small rivets at the front of the heater that attaches the thin plate running under the heater, I'm thinking this may be attached to the bulkhead somehow. The heater is loose but not free to move if that makes sense.

Anyone done this ?

Do a search for "heater matrix replacement" and you will find a few discussions. Rubca mentions the drain pipe hitting the transmission tunnel.

[redstag]

imported post

I think I remember a short drain tube that exits through the trans. tunnel that made it difficult to finally remove.

Had to lift the unit slightly to get it out.



Pete

[pennine]

imported post

Thanks to all for the replies, you were all correct. A mixture of sealant and heater drain, mainly heater drain however. Anyway all done, heater out, matrix tested with leak detector spray and airline and leak identified around heater valve housing. Out with the soldering iron tomorrow methinks and put it all back together again .

[DanDanTheGardeningMan]

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I took mine all apart, replaced matrix with brand new matrix, painted unit, new foam on flaps etc. Thought I'd did a good job, until the first time it rained, forgot to put sealant on area in picture marked red. As a result rain entered through the air inlet, ran down the inside of the heater and dripped onto carpet.

[pennine]

imported post

Thanks for pointing that out Dan, I would have done exactly the same as you.

Nigel