Heater unit removal. | FerrariChat

Heater unit removal.

Discussion in '348/355' started by James-NZ, Mar 16, 2010.

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  1. James-NZ

    James-NZ F1 Veteran

    Jun 26, 2007
    5,822
    Hamilton, NewZealand
    Full Name:
    James
    I have a small coolant leak coming from the front, I have removed all the boot linings and removed the securing bolts I can find holding the heater unit, from what I can tell there are 3 bolts that secure it to the bulkhead. From that point I have removed the air-con drain, but I am still unable to get the unit to budge, I understand I will need to disconnect the air-con lines and the coolant lines but the box still seems to be secured to the bulk head.

    Any thoughts?

    A search revealed little. I have taken photos every step of the way so I can post a step by step guide for future reference.
     
  2. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 10, 2005
    100,232
    Mount Isa, Australia
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    Pap
    I cant help ya sorry James, but please be careful removing those a/c hoses if you havent recovered the a/c gas from the system. :):)

    If you havent recovered the gas, you can dump the system. Using a/c gauges is easy and thats what I would do. But if you dont have access to some a/c gauges, wear some thick gloves and safety glasses and loosen an a/c hose to dump the gas. :eek::eek:

    Keep your eyes and face WELL away from the gas as it can blind you in an instant. :D:D

    Actually, maybe you should get the a/c gas recovered or borrow some a/c gauges to dump the gas safely. :D:D

    Also, seal up those a/c hoses with some sandwhich bags or something. The less crap that gets in there the better. :D:D

    Im looking forward to seeing pics brother. :D:D
     
  3. James-NZ

    James-NZ F1 Veteran

    Jun 26, 2007
    5,822
    Hamilton, NewZealand
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    James
    LOL!!! Your a crazy cat!!! I am having the AC degassed professionally, there is a local mobile guy who is coming to do it for me...good thinking of the bags to cover the hoses, I'll be sure to do that...

    Now go take the heater out of the 348 and tell me how it's done!!! :D
     
  4. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 10, 2005
    100,232
    Mount Isa, Australia
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    Pap
    #4 PAP 348, Mar 16, 2010
    Last edited: Mar 16, 2010
    Good boy!! A/c gas can be lethal! :D:D

    Good to hear you have mobile a/c guys there. We dont here. Your car is pulled apart and I didnt think you could drive your car down to a shop to have the gas recovered properly. The a/c dude will sort you out. :):)

    Perhaps have him order you a new receiver drier at the same time so when he vacs it down and regasses it, the job will be done properly. :):)

    Ok mate, ill be back in 20 mins. Ill tell you EXACTLY how the 348 evaporator box comes out. :eek::eek:
     
  5. James-NZ

    James-NZ F1 Veteran

    Jun 26, 2007
    5,822
    Hamilton, NewZealand
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    James
    Tick, tick, tick....
     
  6. 50hdmc

    50hdmc Formula 3

    Oct 10, 2006
    1,211
    Michigan
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    mark s
    ..moisture in the a/c lines is the culprit you need to avoid...seal the connectors and have someone pull a vacuum when they recharge the system.
     
  7. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    Dec 10, 2005
    100,232
    Mount Isa, Australia
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    Got it out mate. :D:D

    You forget to loosen the 2 bolts under the thinga-me-bob. :eek::eek:

    Yep yep, and Im sure the a/c specialist will do that. :D:D
     
  8. James-NZ

    James-NZ F1 Veteran

    Jun 26, 2007
    5,822
    Hamilton, NewZealand
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    James
    Your wife was right!!!
     
  9. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 10, 2005
    100,232
    Mount Isa, Australia
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    Pap
    Yeah..........what about?? :mad::mad:
     
  10. James-NZ

    James-NZ F1 Veteran

    Jun 26, 2007
    5,822
    Hamilton, NewZealand
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    Doesn't take you long....


    I think she may have been talking about something else though?? :confused:

    :D
     
  11. gothspeed

    gothspeed F1 World Champ

    May 26, 2006
    10,244
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    goth
    Looks like a lot of work James :eek: ............ keep up with the pics if you can, I am curious as to what this thermal exchange unit looks like.
     
  12. James-NZ

    James-NZ F1 Veteran

    Jun 26, 2007
    5,822
    Hamilton, NewZealand
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    James
    Will do Oz, it's only take a few minutes to get to the point I am now stuck at, I have all the mounting bolts removed (photo's to come) but the unit still seems fixed in place, I have left a message with the mobile air-con guy to give me a call, once that is discharged I should be getting closer.

    I will pots a ton of photos for reference. :D
     
  13. INTMD8

    INTMD8 F1 Veteran
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Jun 10, 2007
    6,815
    Lake Villa IL
    I had to fix the same on mine over the winter.

    Can't remember the amount of bolts holding it to the floor but they are hidden under rubber plugs.

    Other than that, once everything is disconnected (including the drain for the box that goes through the floor) mine was actually stuck to the firewall. The foam insulation sealing it to the firewall only has adhesive on the heater box side but it was stuck well enough to the car that it required considerable force to pull it free.

    So, if you're absolutely certain you have all of the mounting bolts removed I would say just give it a little love :)
     
  14. James-NZ

    James-NZ F1 Veteran

    Jun 26, 2007
    5,822
    Hamilton, NewZealand
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    Thanks James, that is exactly the experence I was looking for.

    If all else fails, get a bigger hammer!! :D

    Still waiting for the air-con guy to return my 3rd message, might have to bolt it up enough so I can take it to the shop to have the gas evacuated.
     
  15. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    Dec 10, 2005
    100,232
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    Thats what I was starting to think. :D:D

    Just dump it! :eek::eek:
     
  16. James-NZ

    James-NZ F1 Veteran

    Jun 26, 2007
    5,822
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    James
    Excellent advise James, gave it a but of a tug (the heater box :eek:) and away she came. Thanks for your help.

    There is enough slack in the aircon lines to not need to disconnect them so that is a bonus, I have more step by step photos to post.

    I cannot seem to identify where the leak is but I can see remains of coolant spray on one of the heater hoses, the core looks mint but I will borrow a pressure tester this weekend pressurise the whole system and identify where the leak is.
     
  17. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    Dec 10, 2005
    100,232
    Mount Isa, Australia
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    Very good!! Have fun mate! :D:D
     
  18. INTMD8

    INTMD8 F1 Veteran
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Jun 10, 2007
    6,815
    Lake Villa IL
    You're welcome James, glad I could help :)

    When I pressure tested mine the core was good but it was leaking from under the hose where it attaches to the core. I just cut off the original crimped on hose clamp and replaced it with a regular worm type clamp and all is well.
     
  19. James-NZ

    James-NZ F1 Veteran

    Jun 26, 2007
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    Interesting, that looks to be what is happening with mine but I will confirm with the pressure tester.

    Any advice on bleeding the cooling system?
     
  20. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 10, 2005
    100,232
    Mount Isa, Australia
    Full Name:
    Pap
    Start the car, turn on the heater and bleed the cooling system at the 2 bleed nipples in the engine bay. :):)

    Do you know of those bleed nipples in the engine bay James? :):)
     
  21. James-NZ

    James-NZ F1 Veteran

    Jun 26, 2007
    5,822
    Hamilton, NewZealand
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    I am sure you have a photo to post.... ;)
     
  22. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    Dec 10, 2005
    100,232
    Mount Isa, Australia
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    Lol. I sure do, but its on my 1TB hard drive. :D:D

    My comp still ****ed, on Nicole's. :D:D

    Posting a pic for you means I have to go ALL the way to the spare room (3m away), get the HD, then walk all the way back, move a single seat couch to plug in the power for the HD. Then..................find the pic. :D:D

    Too much hard work and the thought of all that hard work made me tired. :eek::eek:
     
  23. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 10, 2005
    100,232
    Mount Isa, Australia
    Full Name:
    Pap
    #24 PAP 348, Mar 24, 2010
    Last edited: Mar 24, 2010
    But yeah, ill get it up in a few hours. Have to slip outside and mow the lawns before the wheelie bin truck comes to collect. :D:D

    Then have to polish some wheels on a mates car that I just had the front end resprayed for him. He picking the car up on Monday. I have NEVER cleaned/detailed my own cars as good as I have done this VX Commodore. Still gunna vaccumm, polish the wheels and wash the outside. Should look a million bucks later today. Also repaired p/windows and replaced broken wiper arm switch. Did other work to it also. Car drives like new now, replaced many worn bushes in the front end. :D:D

    Never ends around here mang. :eek::eek:
     
  24. James-NZ

    James-NZ F1 Veteran

    Jun 26, 2007
    5,822
    Hamilton, NewZealand
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    Dude!! Your a machine!!
     

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