[DeTomaso] Heating problem

[MikeLDrew at aol.com]

In a message dated 3/26/16 11 39 40, fredhen at online.no writes:


> I have taken out what I can to see
> down there and I see that there is some antifreeze there on the bottom 
> under
> the tubes. Otherwise it is very difficult to see anything down there. what
> do I do now ?
> 

>>>What about the rubber hoses connecting the steel pipes to the heater 
core?   Those should be replaced automatically.   Water leaking from the hoses 
could run down the pipes and collect in the bottom of the center tub.

I am HOPING your pipes are okay.   Normally they only rust out at the very 
back, where they enter the engine compartment.

To test it, I would disconnect the rubber hoses from each end (and throw 
away the ones in the cabin, as if the pipes are good, you will want new hoses 
there anyway).   Use compressed air introduced at the front end of the 
pipes, to blow out any residual gick that might be inside.   Then make sure there 
is no water visible outside the pipes, use rubber stoppers to plug the back 
ends at the engine bay, and slowly fill the pipes from the front, to see if 
they hold water.

If there are no leaks, you're in good shape.   The problem was probably 
with the hoses.

If there are leaks, you're in trouble.   It is next to impossible to remove 
the old pipes with the engine still in the car.   A friend in England did 
it by finding the metal clamps which hold the pipes to the body, and reaching 
inside and cutting them away.   This let the pipes slide to the rear, just 
a few inches at a time.   He cut them into many small pieces, sliding to the 
rear, cutting a short piece out, sliding again, cutting again, until they 
were fully removed.   

It's not practical to replace these pipes with the engine in the car.   
However, I see nothing wrong with using long lengths of rubber heater hose.   
At least you will know the hoses are brand new and they should last for many 
years; when the time comes to replace them, for sure it will be much easier 
than what you just went through to cut out the old pipes!

Hopefully it's not necessary...I would cut out the pipes only after I had 
exhausted all other possibilities!

Mike
-------------- next part --------------
   In a message dated 3/26/16 11 39 40, fredhen at online.no writes:

     I have taken out what I can to see
     down there and I see that there is some antifreeze there on the
     bottom under
     the tubes. Otherwise it is very difficult to see anything down
     there. what
     do I do now ?

   >>>What about the rubber hoses connecting the steel pipes to the heater
   core?  Those should be replaced automatically.  Water leaking from the
   hoses could run down the pipes and collect in the bottom of the center
   tub.
   I am HOPING your pipes are okay.  Normally they only rust out at the
   very back, where they enter the engine compartment.
   To test it, I would disconnect the rubber hoses from each end (and
   throw away the ones in the cabin, as if the pipes are good, you will
   want new hoses there anyway).  Use compressed air introduced at the
   front end of the pipes, to blow out any residual gick that might be
   inside.  Then make sure there is no water visible outside the pipes,
   use rubber stoppers to plug the back ends at the engine bay, and slowly
   fill the pipes from the front, to see if they hold water.
   If there are no leaks, you're in good shape.  The problem was probably
   with the hoses.
   If there are leaks, you're in trouble.  It is next to impossible to
   remove the old pipes with the engine still in the car.  A friend in
   England did it by finding the metal clamps which hold the pipes to the
   body, and reaching inside and cutting them away.  This let the pipes
   slide to the rear, just a few inches at a time.  He cut them into many
   small pieces, sliding to the rear, cutting a short piece out, sliding
   again, cutting again, until they were fully removed.
   It's not practical to replace these pipes with the engine in the car.
   However, I see nothing wrong with using long lengths of rubber heater
   hose.  At least you will know the hoses are brand new and they should
   last for many years; when the time comes to replace them, for sure it
   will be much easier than what you just went through to cut out the old
   pipes!
   Hopefully it's not necessary...I would cut out the pipes only after I
   had exhausted all other possibilities!
   Mike