10 replies to this topic

[ccfc]

Hi all,

The other day I removed my heater unit (after replacing the matrix and finding out it still was leaking) and joined the two pipes together with a shirt piece of hose pipe, held together with jubilee clips. However, today when driving it to Bristol from Cardiff, the pipes separated, spraying me and the car with boiling hot rusty water (not ideal after a good clean session, myself and the car that is). Managed to get to the nearest small town with steam bellowing out of the pipes inside the car. After which, I topped up the radiator, mopped the mess inside the car and tightened the pipe clips and reattached them. Got back to Cardiff without any further problems.

My question is, does joining the pipes like this cause an excessive pressure build up? If so, it's obviously not wise for me to try and drive it a long distance again. I'm convincing myself the clips weren't done up tight enough, however, I seek advice from others who have removed their heater and joined the pipes, as to what they used.

Pretty glad I didn't reply the carpets with a cream set yesterday....

Thanks to anyone with advice.

[lrostoke]

The problem will be the hose you used, its flexible so you won't be able to tighten the jubilee clips properely. Also as it heats up it will go soft, hence why it came appart. You really want a rigid metal pipe to join them, copper or steel.

[ccfc]

Sounds reasonable, i'll order a metal pipe joiner and see how that goes. Cheers for the reply.

[drummerian]

had my mini like this for years, you simply want a piece of 15mm copper pipe (indoor house plumbing stuff). simples!

[ccfc]

had my mini like this for years, you simply want a piece of 15mm copper pipe (indoor house plumbing stuff). simples!

Cheers, sort of this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.u...#ht_3730wt_1141

[drummerian]

should do it

[stevede]

Try Europarts if you need a quicker solution that waiting for ebay.

I bought some plastic ones off ebay which worked fine, but recently noticed the same item for sale in my local Europarts. Other motor factors may stock them also.

Regards

Steve

[Dan]

5/8" for Minis 1988 or later, earlier Minis need 1/2" connectors.

[MiniMonty]

Did it look like this ?



LOL - I drove around like this for months.
(garden hose, jubilee clips, insulation and gaffer tape).

Forget pressure - as the water coming IN goes into the heater matrix it's put under a LOT more (backward) pressure than
it will ever be by a bit of garden hose.
The ancient and basic heater system actually RELIES upon the water being under pressure as it moves slowly through a capillary system (the matrix)
while the fan blows over it.
Just tighten up those jubilees and spank on a load of insulation and gaffer tape.

All that counts is the seal - if it doesn't ruin your shoes it's working perfectly.

[ccfc]

Did it look like this ?



LOL - I drove around like this for months.
(garden hose, jubilee clips, insulation and gaffer tape).

Forget pressure - as the water coming IN goes into the heater matrix it's put under a LOT more (backward) pressure than
it will ever be by a bit of garden hose.
The ancient and basic heater system actually RELIES upon the water being under pressure as it moves slowly through a capillary system (the matrix)
while the fan blows over it.
Just tighten up those jubilees and spank on a load of insulation and gaffer tape.

All that counts is the seal - if it doesn't ruin your shoes it's working perfectly.

It did look like that, now it looks like the venice of the car worlds.

I've ordered the metal part and going to tighten the clips up until my arms fall off. Of all places you want steaming hot water pouring on your feet it definately isn't on the motorway

[maccers]

You could pull the heater temp knob fully out on the dash to limit the water flow as well while the heater is bypassed?