10 replies to this topic

[chappy]

1992 City

Well i'm having welding done tomorrow so no more wet carpet! Which also means after i ripped out the old one (literally) i need to fit a new one, although the only bit that isn't out it the part on the bulkhead behind the heater...

so i was wondering, A: how do i go about removing it? B: can i remove the heater unit, but take out the matrix (looks like it slides out the side) to leave it all attached to the pipes?


(searched but couldn't find anything )


cheers


sam

[taffy1967]

If it was a later model, then it would have been quite easy to slide the matrix out.

But it'll be damned fiddly to strip your heater apart whilst it's still in the car and anyway with your heater unit, you're going to have to remove the heater inlet and outlet pipes anyway.

So listen very carefully as I shall say this only once (thankfully I have the information saved on another forum): -

To remove you need to undo the screw or screws that hold it to the parcel shelf. You'll find those just behind the heater control switch.

Pull the 2 air-vent hoses away from each side of the heater casing.

Then you'll need to slacken the nut that holds it tightly in place via the bracket at the rear left of the heater casing.

Now you can lift it off the bracket and lower the casing to the floor. Unclip the spade terminal from the heater control switch and unclip the bullet connector on the wire that sits above the casing with a small screwdriver.

You now might want to put something down on the carpet in case of any coolant leakage.

Put a bowl underneath the 2 main heater hoses and undo the 2 jubilee clips and pull the 2 hoses free. Then drain the coolant into the bowl. There shouldn't be much, but make sure you get it all out of the heater matrix.

You'll then need to pull the large air-intake trunk off the side and then you can take the heater casing in doors and strip it down. There's just loads of screws to remove on one side and couple on the other, then you can lift the panel off on one side.

Once that's off you can inspect the inner casing and give it a spring clean, removing any debris, dead flies etc. Also clean the matrix fins too and spray some water through it to flush it thoroughly.

Refitting is of course the reverse of removal, but I'd refit that large air-intake trunk before fitting the heater casing back in place as that trunk is difficult to fit otherwise.

Edited by taffy1967, 15 December 2008 - 08:22 PM.

[Bungle]

you can just unscrew the heater from the bottom dash rail to get the carpet up behind the onto the bulkhead

[taffy1967]

you can just unscrew the heater from the bottom dash rail to get the carpet up behind the onto the bulkhead

Well if that's all he wants to do, but he might still have to lift it off the rear bracket though as it will still be a tight fit otherwise?

[chappy]

you can just unscrew the heater from the bottom dash rail to get the carpet up behind the onto the bulkhead

Well if that's all he wants to do, but he might still have to lift it off the rear bracket though as it will still be a tight fit otherwise?

well yes, thats all really, but i'd like to clean it up inside and grease the spindle for the fan.


cheers

Edit: When i take out the heater.. is any of it connected to the heater pull switch thingy? just don't want to pull at it and break it.


cheers

Edited by chappy, 16 December 2008 - 12:08 AM.

[chappy]

sorry to double post, but...

if i take out the matrix and drain it... is it just coolant that comes from the radiator? i'm guessing i'll just have to top it up after?


cheers


sam

[taffy1967]

you can just unscrew the heater from the bottom dash rail to get the carpet up behind the onto the bulkhead

Well if that's all he wants to do, but he might still have to lift it off the rear bracket though as it will still be a tight fit otherwise?

well yes, thats all really, but i'd like to clean it up inside and grease the spindle for the fan.


cheers

Edit: When i take out the heater.. is any of it connected to the heater pull switch thingy? just don't want to pull at it and break it.


cheers

Yes the heater casing/unit will come out complete with the (screen/car/off) selector switch attached.

[taffy1967]

sorry to double post, but...

if i take out the matrix and drain it... is it just coolant that comes from the radiator? i'm guessing i'll just have to top it up after?


cheers


sam

Yes it's just coolant and once you've refitted the heater casing back in place, it sometimes helps to start the car with the radiator cap off (make sure the heater tap is open), leave it running until the coolant starts to bubble over and then replace the radiator cap. This should help prevent any air-locks.

After the car has cooled down, top up the coolant.

[Trials_Chizz]

Sorry to bring up this post but.

I am going to attempt this job tomorrow.


My heater is currently on the floor conneted to the matrix.
All i need to do is take the pipes off but drain the coolant into a tub? How much comes out? Then i connect her all back up. blah blah.
Run the car till it bubbles up the radiator. Leave to cool and replace the coolant?

And whats this heater tap malark?

Aidan

[taffy1967]

Sorry to bring up this post but.

I am going to attempt this job tomorrow.


My heater is currently on the floor conneted to the matrix.
All i need to do is take the pipes off but drain the coolant into a tub? How much comes out? Then i connect her all back up. blah blah.
Run the car till it bubbles up the radiator. Leave to cool and replace the coolant?

And whats this heater tap malark?

Aidan

Very little coolant will come out, not enough to even half fill the average washing up bowl. But obviously you don't want that over your carpets or floor.

the heater tap is the knob you pull/push on the dash to switch on/off the heat.

Pre 1990ish Minis have the knob in for heat, where as post 1990ish Minis have the knob out. You can tell if it's the later type as it will have a small blue arrow and a larger red arrow on the front of the knob.

[taffy1967]

For later Mini (1990ish onwards) models: -