my heater core, your thoughts?

I have had my zed for 3-4 years, and I really don't drive it all that much, so the heater core is something I wasn't too worried about, I bypassed it when i was getting quite a bit of coolant in the passenger foot well a while ago, and I keep on meaning to get around to changing it, but been broke for a little while now, and struggling to find work after a back problem.(all my experience has been in furniture and transportation.) but back to the point =]

So it has now become an issue that I have delayed even longer, and I have been weighing up my options on what to do about it.

Then the other night, I was re wiring my stereo, and looking at me is what looks to be a brand new shiny looking heater core, now I am very confused.

I am thinking maybe I should pull out my dash for a proper look, but then on the other hand, I don't to want to pull everything apart, because I know it's a big job just to find out I cant do anything with it, then have to put it all back together unfixed because I still can't afford a new heater core.

So just wandering, is there anything else related to it that could be leaking?
Maybe a new one was installed shortly before I got the car and wasn't put in properly?

here is a picture of the core through the dash vent's

The picture isn't that good, but in person, it does look brand new, what the hell, lol

 

From previous experience...

Its usually the bottom of the core that leaks. So the rest of the core looks perfectly fine, but a small pin prick hole will develop in the bottom of the core which you can not see and cause leakage. The other alternative is that the core is fine, but the tap attached to the side of the core is leaking. Either way, the repair process is the same so you'll have to rip it out and replace both the tap and core to be safe. There is only one source of coolant into the cabin. The heatercore or the tap.

 

yeah pretty much thinking that.

Just so crazy how new the core looks.

Might still pull it apart any ways to have a look even though I cant afford a new core yet.

I also believe a Mirage core fits the zed from memory. any idea how much one is worth?

 

The knackered one on my NA looked like that, and so did the knackered one in my TT.

Both were completely stuffed and leaking like sieves.

 

cool thanks, that pretty much answers it =]

I will keep hunting for a cheap core replacement

 

since its bypassed take the core and tap out with dash in and test them to see which is the problem...

auto is easy nothing really in the way

manual you atleast have to remove the clutch pedal. or remove the dash...

 

Apart from the core itself and the tap itself. I've had the system leak coolant pass the rubber seal between the tap and core. It was on mandas zed. I thought the core was stuffed but after ripping everything out I thoroughly inspected it to soon realize the core was fine, held pressure perfectly and that yes infact all it was, was a small blowout of the rubber seal. Something that could have been fixed dash in place.

Being that your core has been bypassed. See if you can get the pipes off the core and rig up a pressure tester. Something as simple as a blanking plate screwed to the top port of the core that seals it tight. That another blanking plate with a wheel valve inserted through the middle. Screw it into place on the bottom port of the core and proceed to inflate the core with a few psi from a pump. Once under pressure get a tire gauge on it and watch to see if it holds pressure. If it doesn't the gauge will reduce obviously. Also you should be able to get that wheel valve from a repair shop for free or a dollar or two.

Pressure testing the core will aid you in diagnosing the problem. If it holds pressure fine. Than look at the tap. If not the rubber seal

 

A 94 Mirage core is exactly the same. You should be able to get one for around $160-$180(a whole lot cheaper than a NISSAN part).
NATRAD in Canberra(Phillip, ACT)is the place that seems to have them in stock.

 

thanks for the advice, appreciated =]

 

thanks mr chili

 

removed all dash today, steering wheel etc, and blower box, removed all hoses, metal brace, and all plastic venting to clean, all that's left is to pull out the heater box and core, ran out of light though, shouldn't have started so late.


Still surprised at how new the heater core looks, the AC core on the other hand looks so hammered haha, box was half full of leaves and dirt, will have to clean that up tomorrow too, fun fun.

Then have to test the heater core, and if it is truly rat s*** then try get some coin for a new one =]

 

Let me know if you need a new tap. I have a brand new one you can have for $20 less than Nissan sell them for (which is still bl00dy expensive).

 

On ebay in the classifieds section there is an advert for heater cores...try contacting the seller as when i checked a while back he had a few for sale which is a lot cheaper than Nissan...good luck,
Abraham

 

thanks a-bris, hoping it may be the tap, I can tell the dash has been off before, so I kind of have a feeling that some one changed the core before I got the car, but didn't change the taps with it for some reason? maybe being lazy?

will post some more stuff tomorrow, and maybe take some pics, I am not in a real rush to finish, so just gonna clean up a few things while I am at it too =]

(thinking about removing the air con box, and all my air con gear, since i never use the air con, even though it works great. But I don't even have my ac belt connected)

 

LOL.......don't hope too much, that little plastic tap from Nissan (and I don't think you can get them anywhere else) costs $150 .

 

well I guess i have to expect anything =]

Will see what i find tomorrow

 

Dont get too excited about the apparent visual condition of the core.
Looks can be seriously deceiving given that the heater core rarely, if ever gets wet and the AC core stops most of the sticks, stones and dirt!!!.
The inlest side of the heater core may look quite different.

Pressure test as mentioned before getting too funky.

L8r
E

L8r
E

 

yep definitely and in the mean time





selleys qwick grip for the win, hopefully will finish up ok, if not try, try again.

also gonna be a fun time to clean up all the crap and wiring under the dash =]

also treat sand and spray the 2 metal brackets that connect from the factory tubular body brace to the dash/stereo section, little bit rusty, probs from moisture when was getting a leak, will check for other stuff too just in case anything else needs to be treated.

 

:rofl: Jesus, are you sure you have enough clamps on that :rofl:

 

i was gonna actually put on more

my other clamps are a bit too big though