300tdi Heater Unit by-pass

Hi,

Got out of the defender yesterday to be greeted by coolant running down off of the Front passenger-side mud flap bracket and pooling on the ground.
Further examination revealed a leaking heater unit. Fortunately I was at work and had access to the workshop so I cut a piece of copper pipe same diameter as the heater pipework, heated it, bent it and used it to by-pass the heater by joining the inlet and outlet coolant hoses together. Was able to make it home without any issues.

So for a more permanent and tidy solution I was wondering:

Can I eliminate the hose altogether and just simply blank the outlet and inlet pipes on the engine? Or does the coolant need to flow out from the block and back in?

Until I get some clarity on this I have purchased a length of silicone tubing which is less prone to bending/kinking than the present coolant hoses and will use that to form a loop coming out from the engine block and back in.

Thanks

either join the 2 pipes or blank both

Or fix the heater?

jamesmartin said:

either join the 2 pipes or blank both

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I was afraid that blanking the ports on the engine will cause some issue with the circulation of coolant. I don't mind joining the hoses but I will have to come uo with a way to secure them in the engine bay.

Retroanaconda said:

Or fix the heater?

Click to expand...

Retroanaconda said:

Or fix the heater?

Click to expand...

Weather is hot all year round where I live. I have never used the heater before. Was actually considering removing it completely. I guess now's my chance.

LeftFoot said:

I was afraid that blanking the ports on the engine will cause some issue with the circulation of coolant. I don't mind joining the hoses but I will have to come uo with a way to secure them in the engine bay.

Click to expand...

it wouldnt,but as said why not replace heater matrix