The Camaro Club (UK)
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Heater Leak !
http://classiccamaroclub.mfatw.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=4128		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  ajsaunders [Sun Oct 12, 2014 3:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Heater Leak !
Very wet carpet in passenger footwell and judging by the towels under the carpet this has been a problem for a long time.
I have bought a 16mm-19mm sleeve for the different bore hoses and joined in front of the bulkhead to stop any more water escaping.
Heater cores arn't very expensive on Rock Autros but im not particularly looking foward to taking out the dash , has anyone else done this ?
I might just by a warmer jumper : )

Regards Alan
Author:  jon_buss [Sun Oct 12, 2014 9:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Heater Leak !
Hi Alan,

I'm literally half way through doing this myself at the moment! Exactly the same symptoms, water poured out from under the dash. Previous owner had bypassed the heater matrix, guess I worked out why!!

New heater matrix should be delivered this week (ordered it just over a week ago from Summit Racing)

I have had to take out the ENTIRE dash to get to the thing. The most interesting bit was finding all the screws, there are a lot of them. Several are behind the centre console which needs to come out as well (top part only you'll be glad to know) and it's easier with a second pair of hands as once the dash is loose you need to twist it up and over the steering column.

The matrix itself is hopefully fairly easy once the pipes are disconnected. Although I have it exposed I haven't actually taken this part out yet, don't want to until the new unit finally arrives.

Happy to give you more help / advice if you need it. Dash removal was done last weekend, putting it back should happen next weekend. Will be interesting to see how many screws I have left afterwards......

Good luck

Jon
Author:  3rdGenmalc [Mon Oct 13, 2014 6:08 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Heater Leak !
One of the first jobs I had to do and it can be done with the dash
all in place just be prepared to do some acrobatics, and squeeze your hands into small places.

One of the salesmen at Bauer Millet gave me the info.
Author:  jon_buss [Mon Oct 13, 2014 6:47 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Heater Leak !
How ?!?!?!? You must have very small and very bendy hands from what I could see :)

I couldn't get to the top screws for the matrix cover, couldn't work out any possible way to get to them short of drilling access holes through the front of the dash :o . Unfortunately the previous owner seemed to have had the same problem as part of the cover was broken off where he had tried but I've got one of them coming from a breakers......

Your info could be very useful to Alan as he hasn't started yet. My dash is all out now, though to be honest that's thrown up a few other minor jobs I can do at the same time anyway so (in a wierd kind of way) I'm glad I did it.
Author:  3rdGenmalc [Mon Oct 13, 2014 8:45 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Heater Leak !
I've been searching for the info but sorry to say it seems to be lost.

I have large hands and managed to get up there with a small
ratchet and socket to remove the screws.

It can be done.
Author:  78 Camaro [Thu Oct 16, 2014 3:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Heater Leak !
This was the first problem that needed solving when i got the 3rd gen too lol. Steve, the previous owner, had kindly ordered a mew matrix and helped fit it (when i say helped... he did 99% of the work and i stood there trying to be helpful). There was an initial concern of having to take the dash out, as that's how the repair manuals show it but we (he) did it without removing the dash. He'd found a U.S based site (presuming thirdgen.org) that had a tutorial. Took about 45 minutes to take the old matrix out and put the new one in. Took out the plastic panels under the dash to help with visibility. Was a bit fiddly, a couple of torches / good lighting will help with locating the screws. May need to be creative with tools / how you contort your body in the footwell, but it can be done :thumbup:
Author:  3rdGenmalc [Thu Oct 16, 2014 7:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Heater Leak !
Take the passenger side seat out......WOW....never thought of that. :clap: :clap:

How To Replace A Heater Core - ex: Thirdgen Camaro / Firebirds
without removing dash.
Author:  78 Camaro [Fri Oct 17, 2014 3:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Heater Leak !
Good videos, nice find there! Hopefully this will help Alan in being able to sort the matrix before the weather gets too cold
Author:  ukzz4iroc [Fri Oct 17, 2014 8:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Heater Leak !
Quote:
Take the passenger side seat out......WOW....never thought of that. :clap: :clap:

How To Replace A Heater Core - ex: Thirdgen Camaro / Firebirds
without removing dash.



3rdGenmalc you are a true asset to this site sir. Thanks for all your help! You have inspired me in another post on the heater box mod (removed AC)

Thought I should say what I've been thinking. Cheers
Author:  jon_buss [Sat Oct 18, 2014 8:11 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Heater Leak !
Majorly useful video clips, wish I'd found them before I started! Got my entire dash out at the moment, due to put it all back together today.

It was the very top bolt (that he didn't show removing in the video!) that I couldn't reach / find on mine before the dash came out. Seems to be a little more 'wiggle room' in the Pontiac he's working on as well to be honest, but shows it can be done.

Nice one, I'll make sure I post / ask you before I do anything else on mine. Could save me a lot of time :P
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