Leaking coolant from somewhere in heater area - help

[Mikew]

My AW is leaking radiator coolant internally on the passenger from somewhere in the heater area, not much , a couple of spoonfuls or so. Have removed the glove box, panels around it etc and have taken the fan out but can't remove the black plastic unit next to it or the aluminium bodied unit which the heater pipes go into. Have undone every nut and screw I can find but no joy in moving either unit. Nothing is leaking in the front boot where the spare wheel is so leak is definitely in one of the two units beside the fan.

Any hints on what else I need to do to remove the units gratefully received.

Thanks.

[Mikew]

Still need info for this if anyone can help...

Cheers

[mknz]

I pulled an SW one once. Can you post pictures?

[Mikew]

Thanks Michael. Having another go at this next weekend . If unsuccessful, might need a spanner day if they are still a thing......cheers

[Statek]

Sorry to tell you, but you're going to have to remove the whole dashboard - this is quite normal for heater core removal out of any car.

http://www.mr2.com/forums/archive/index ... 49064.html

[Mikew]

Cheers Kris, have already stripped the passenger side of the dash (and seat and carpets ) and removed all visible screws and bolts holding the core in. Must have missed something as it still won't come out, didn't have time last weekend to look at it but will give it another shot before I take an axe to it. Will post update next week. Cheers

[Malcolm]

Not trying to be a smart arse or anything, but have you disconnected the coolant lines from the core inside the frunk?

[Mikew]

Nice one , Malcolm, even if I had overlooked that, do you think I'd admit it? No chance.

Anyway, spent another hour inside the car but couldn't find anything more to undo.
So, I've taken the heater out of the equation by just putting a loop of hose between the input and output pipes in the front trunk and I'll do without the heater for a while.

Refilled the radiator using only the engine and radiator air release valves as there's no water going thruogh the heater.

Will this solution work ok or have I forgotten something?

Cheers

[Statek]

That should be fine, although you might want to try and remove the air bubble from your heater bypass hose just to be sure - ie. Raise the rear of the car, take one side of the heater bypass hose off, fill the cooling system until coolant starts coming out of the hose, refit. Having a think about it, you could probably pour coolant into that hose to reduce chances of an airlock.

[Mikew]

Thanks Kris, will do just to make sure. Ran the engine for 10 minutes or so and the new hose heated up so I assumed water was circulating ok but nothing like making doubly sure.

Will try a winter without a heater, I'm over trying to fix it for the moment !!

Cheers

[Statek]

Thanks Kris, will do just to make sure. Ran the engine for 10 minutes or so and the new hose heated up so I assumed water was circulating ok but nothing like making doubly sure.

You're probably fine then.