What's that wet patch???

[Boomlander]

Finally happy with the way the old car looks so took him to a local show yesterday and loads of people commented on what a great looking car he was and we spent hours chatting to folks and letting them sit in the car and take photos, it was great.
On the way home however I noticed what seemed to be a dark patch on the carpet in front of the gear stick.
Turns out the heater has been slowly leaking probably for months and the water has finally soaked through the parcel shelf and onto the floor.
Needless to say the shelf is beyond repair having turned into porridge so I've ordered a new one and decided to return the car to its original spec. (No Heater) as the cost of a new or reconditioned core is prohibitive. The heat from the engine keeps the car interior warm enough and we don't do any winter driving so its an easy fix to remove the heater and pipe work, fit a new bottom hose and blank off the heater valve. The parts will be sold to offset the cost of the shelf and fittings.
Another case of one step forward and three back but at least we won't get leaks into the cabin from that area again!

[ManyMinors]

Is a heater that expensive? I had a similar leak in mine last year which I first thought was a hose but found that new hoses didn't cure it I bought a whole secondhand heater for £20 and it has been fine ever since

[Boomlander]

I would love to find a working heater or even a core for less than £50 but so far no luck, recon units advertised for £325!

[Boomlander]

Found one for £30 on Ebay, no guarantee that it's leak free and the seller wants a whopping £18 for postage.
I can send my heater anywhere in the UK for £7! Bloody rip off!

[Trickydicky]

I was in a similar position with my round heater which had a leak, searched for a core but the prices were sky high. Did some research and found a product called K-Seal, http://www.kseal.com/uk/
I was sceptical but gave it a go and so far it has cured the leak. (I applied it in 2011) I have done a coolant flush since and still no leak.
I did manage to pick up a leak free heater last year just in case from a chap selling on here for £35, they do come up at a good price, you just have to be quick
I suggest you give it a try, there's nothing to loose!

[DAVIDMCCULLOUGH]

Perhaps worth trying a radiator repair shop for a pressure test and see weres it leaking?

[jagnut66]

Hi,
I'm just fitting an unknown quality round Smiths heater to mine which I acquired a few years back, so I shall keep your K seal in mind.
I went on their site and it allows you to search for a local stockist, it appears there are several in Mansfield, so even better.
Best wishes,
Mike.

[amgrave]

Heater matrix usually leaks where the hose connector pipes are soldered to the body of the matrix and as they are usually made of brass or copper is an easy fix with silver solder once on the bench. Might be worth a go, it's how they are fixed at a repairer's.

[Boomlander]

Heater matrix usually leaks where the hose connector pipes are soldered to the body of the matrix and as they are usually made of brass or copper is an easy fix with silver solder once on the bench. Might be worth a go, it's how they are fixed at a repairer's.

I think I may just take my unit to the place that reconditioned my radiator and get an estimate before I condemn it.
The hose spigots appear to be OK and there is a large rusty patch on the bottom of the core but I guess any water leaking from the top is going to collect at the bottom and cause the fins to rust ? I assume that the core itself is brass or copper so would not rust itself. Should be interesting to find out the cause of all the trouble and thanks for all your advice folks it's very much appreciated.

[Boomlander]

I understand that the Smiths heater core is actually tinned steel so will rust eventually.
I have managed to buy two heaters from Ebay at a reasonable cost so I'm hoping one of them will have a decent core allowing me to make one good heater from two units.
I will definitely look into using K seal in the finished heater.
Thanks for all responses and advice.

[amgrave]

Quote: "I understand that the Smiths heater core is actually tinned steel so will rust eventually".
You have highlighted the reason for using a good Anti Freeze all year round with it's added corrosion inhibiting properties

[jagnut66]

Quote: "I understand that the Smiths heater core is actually tinned steel so will rust eventually".
You have highlighted the reason for using a good Anti Freeze all year round with it's added corrosion inhibiting properties

I agree, unfortunately the previous owners of Olwyn obviously took a different view, which is why I had to flush out her blocked waterways and probably why I now have a burst radiator.................
Best wishes,
Mike.

[Boomlander]

I agree - my antifreeze is a very strong solution but the original owners didn't know or care about the correct solution for the system.
Pity, it's cost me a radiator rebuild and now a new heater and parcel shelf.

[Boomlander]

Good news.... The first of my heater buys from Ebay doesn't seem to be leaking, I've filled it with antifreeze and left it to make sure it's solid.
All being well I will give it a new paint job and fit it in a couple of weeks.
If the second one is watertight it will be kept as a spare.