456 GT Heater Core Problems!! HELP APPRECIATED | FerrariChat
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456 GT Heater Core Problems!! HELP APPRECIATED

Discussion in '456/550/575' started by Modena23, May 4, 2023.

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  1. Modena23

    Modena23 Rookie

    May 4, 2023
    2
    #1 Modena23, May 4, 2023
    Hi all, I have recently purchased a 456 GT 1993 - manual pre-airbag.

    Much to my disappointment after my third drive the car started leaking coolant into the car and steam came out of the vents - turns out it is a Heater Core issue.

    I live in a very hot country and as such I am happy to bypass it for the time being.

    When my mechanic tried to bypass it, the car started over-heating which means I cannot use the car.

    Are there any suggestions as to what can be done to have an effective bypass? I would really like to use the car without needing to have to spend months without it until my interior is removed, a new core sourced, and all assembled once more.

    Any advice much appreciated!

    p.s. - any indications where to source the replacement core are welcome.
     
  2. Aerosurfer

    Aerosurfer Formula 3
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    Nov 21, 2020
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    Nick
    #2 Aerosurfer, May 4, 2023
    After he bypassed it did he bleed the system too?

    There isn't a lot of extra capacity for the cooling system to absorb design changes. Have you (or your mechanic) gone over the state of the rest of the system? Fans working.. hoses sealed, T-stat opening, sensors giving good information? Recent coolant flush and level check?
     
  3. Modena23

    Modena23 Rookie

    May 4, 2023
    2
    #3 Modena23, May 4, 2023
    We checked everything and the thing is that I drove the car to his shop (having topped up coolant beforehand) before he did the bypass procedure and the temperature was perfect. So it is something to do with the procedure itself - either it has not bled properly so there's an air lock or as you say the "design changes" are not absorbed by the system. What makes me doubt the latter possibility is that there are two instances of members of this forum where they bypassed the system and the car worked normally. So maybe we need to find a way to bleed the system better?
     
  4. Aerosurfer

    Aerosurfer Formula 3
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    #4 Aerosurfer, May 4, 2023
    Did you bleed it or just top it off?
     
  5. Qavion

    Qavion F1 World Champ
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    Ian Riddell
    #5 Qavion, May 4, 2023
    Did he say how the "bypass" was done?

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    Did he just clamp off the line from the thermostat? And make sure that the hot water valve was closed?
     
  6. fatbillybob

    fatbillybob Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Aug 10, 2002
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    #6 fatbillybob, May 4, 2023
    Can't fathom how bypassvwill not work. I think bypass is bad. All you do is take the two lines exiting the core and block them
     
    Qavion likes this.
  7. Graeme Lambert

    Graeme Lambert Rookie

    Jul 14, 2021
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    Buckinghamshire
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    Graeme Lambert
    #7 Graeme Lambert, May 9, 2023
    One related word of warning - be very careful (and keep everything crossed) when removing your matrix/heater core as the plastic used for the mounting box/heater box in my 1997 GT was super brittle. The end result was the box disintegrated on removal. Cue a near 10 month wait with many back and forths withthe factory trying to get them to send the last RHD Airbag Heater box assembly they had on the shelf :eek:
     
    Qavion likes this.

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