Hey guys, my heater core just cracked, lucky that the car only started getting above normal when i was 30 seconds from home. ok ive looked for though the tech section and nothing of use has come up, i think ive located the 2 hoses, but i would hate to cut something that i shouldnt, and seeing as it a PITA area i would like to do it right the first time should i removed anything to get to the hoses better? any info would be great Thanks
You need to bypass the heater core, ie, you link the two metal hardpipes near the back of the engine and firewall. You should not have to cut anything To get better access I like to remove the positive battery cable, and swing it out of the way. Also undo the 10mm bolt which secures the loom to the firewall. The other wiring that runs along the firewall has metal clips holding it in place, just unclip and move aside if needed. As for getting the pipes off, they can be tricky. you want to keep them intact if its the core that is bad, as the hoses are a pretty funky shape and hard to find a replacement if you want your heater back. I like to spray the hose joint with silicone spray or WD40, then get a big screwdriver down there to prise it off from the engine side of the 2 hoses. Your bypass hose fits in between the metal pipes coming off the engine.
ok sweet, so the metal hardpipes coming from the engine and firewall, do you know what size hose i will need to connect them? thanks for your help Sam
There is an AU falcon hose - i think p/n is listed in the tech section which has the perfect angle on it.. u cut this down a little and just pop her on to bypass it untill you replace the core (or permanently - but if its like canberra it will be temporary )
Tech section has a writeup about the hose you will need. I think I used a hose off a ford. The pipes I have sitting here have a 20mm end and a 15mm end... Best bet would be to work out the shape you need, then measure the pipe outside diameter with some calipers to get a measure on it, then but to suit.
GOT IT! - http://www.aus300zx.com/forum/showthread.php?t=296654 There is the thread i used for the bypass - and also the guys at Natrad here in the ACT had the heatercore itself in stock - knew exactly the one i was talking about and was an extremely reasonable price - would definitely recomend them 150%.. And its not that big of a job to do with the dash in with two people even if everyone says it is - I managed it, and without much heartache or lost skin on my knuckles
Bypass the core and be done with it. Heaters are for pussies from the south Join the 2 hardpipes on the engine side, 3/4 inch from memory.
just put a hose between Heater pipe (feed) and heater pipe (return). See pic. The biggest concern is getting the right size hose, and getting the old one off.
From this post we can now deduce that Mike's never had a female passenger in his zed late at night. In all honesty, the heater core really isn't that hard to replace. Easiest to remove the dash, but it's a quick methodical process, and you remain quite clean when compared to working in the engine bay or under the car.
LOL Cara doesn't like getting in my zed at the best of times, doesn't matter what time of the day it is Enough heat comes thru the firewall to warm the feet [TIS] Aided by the fact I have nothing behind the dash :zlove:
I think I have gone 3 years without a heater =p you shiver for the first few min's when its real cold, then its not so bad haha. but maybe fixed soon =]
Hawhawhaw.. you guys without heaters keep telling urselves that type of bollocks!!!! Couple of early starts in winter down here in Southern Tassie will sort yous out... L8r E
only reason I have lasted so long without one, is because I barely drive my car. I used to walk to work or use my old work truck. Now I'm jobless after a work injury, and broke too, so don't have coin to drive In 4 years owning the zed, driven it 18,000kms only.
Don't get paranoid about ensuring there is a flow between these two metal pipes. Even if you effectively 'blank' them off by putting in a massive kink in the hose you put in there to bypass the heater will not matter. I've seen guys go to all sorts of lengths to ensure there is water flowing between these two pipes and it's simply not necessary and makes the engine bay look super ugly. I've had mine bypassed like this for over 12 months. Really missing the heater, but it's not the core in my case, its the dam tap and from what I am finding not cheap to replace either
