TR2/3/3A Heater removal in TR3

[Member 10617]

Got in my car yesterday and immediately saw a puddle of coolant on the floor of the passenger side! Ugh!

When I looked under the dash, I saw that the leak was coming down the heater hose that attaches to the top of the heater. Looks like I have to tighten the clamp or replace the hose and clamp at that location. In either case, I'll need to drop the heater down and out to get to the connection.

I've been told that dropping the heater is not a difficult procedure, but I have also read somewhere on this forum that it is NOT simple.

As I understand it, I need to (a) remove the heater hoses from the connections (right and left) on the inside of the firewall, (b) remove screws holding the heater to the braces under the dash, (c) detach the wires, (d) and remove the heater. But do I have to do anything to the braces themselves, which seem to be in the way of dropping the heater down? I'd rather not monkey around with them if they don't need to be moved out of the way.

 

[CJD]

The good news, if you see the leak on the hoses, then it is not the heater core. The pipes for the core come straight up, so any leaks in the core will never make it to the hoses. So, it has to be the hose or a clamp.

You may be able to get to the clamps and hoses without removing the core. Take out the glove box, remove the anti-fog hoses, and you should at least be able to see what's going on on top of the heater.

Good luck,

John

 

[Britishautobody]

Brings back memories of my 7hr Ford Explorer heater core job a month or so ago...Ugh!! The entire dash had to come out as did the entire heater box and fan assy under the hood. It is about as bad as a Volvo wagon I tackled years ago as I recall. Why these knuckle heads can't make a part easier to replace is beyond me..

 

[sp53]

what john said

 

[TR3driver]

If you do find that you need to drop the heater, then I believe removing one of the braces is required. Fortunately they are very easy to remove, just 4 screws. Also don't forget the nut inside the engine compartment, that holds the heater bracket to the firewall.

But for just tightening one of the connections on top of the heater, I don't think you need to disconnect the hoses from the firewall connections.

Another thing that might help is to remove the cushion from the passenger seat, and lay down a piece of plywood or thick carpet instead. That will give you a smoother surface for shinnying in and out, plus a bit more room to work.

 

[SPACER]

Great post & pics, guys.
On a related note, is it possible to lubricate the fan motor either in position or out?

Thanks,
Bob

 

[Member 10617]

Randall,

Yes, the leak was coming from the top of the heater unit and was dripping down the hose. It doesn't appear to be coming from anywhere in the heater. Good news, indeed.

I will remove the glove compartment and take at the hoses and clamps. Hopefully, as you suggest, I may be able to correct things easily.

In the meanwhile, I have installed a bypass hose from one side of the engine to the other, bypassing the heater altogether until I can get it fixed. No heater, but that's not a problem yet.

Many thanks.

 

[TR3driver]

On a related note, is it possible to lubricate the fan motor either in position or out?

It can be lubricated, but requires removal of the heater from the car, motor from the heater, and as I recall, disassembly of the motor.

 

[CJD]

Here is the fan as it comes out of the top of the heater:

And the break-down:

 

[CJD]

The parts:

It's just little bronze bushings that hold the armature shaft. Not much to them, but a good bit of disassembly to get to them.

John

 

[CJD]

You know what...scratch that! I just found this pic:

The shaft sticks up on the top, so you could lubricate it from the top with the heater in place...and you may be able to "shoot" some lube from a can through one of the lower vents to get the lower bearing.

Not sure it will work...but it is worth a try!?

John

 

[Member 10617]

John,

Many thanks for the tip on how to attack this problem. I did as you suggested: I removed the glove box and there, leading to the top of the heater, were the two heater hoses. Some thinking person left the clamps aimed in the direction of the golve box, so all I had to do was tighten the clamps and stop the leak. Then I drove the car a bit to evaporate any fluid that had dripped into the heater. In no time I had the glove box back in place and the problem was fixed. Excellent heat and no steam. And I didn't have to drop the heater or remove the anti-fog hoses.

THANKS.

 

[CJD]

Excellent...I love it when a job turns out to be easier!

John

 

[Member 10617]

John,

You and I both! Thanks again.