P38A Heater core O-ring replacement

TallPaulB · Dec 28, 2018

Hi all, to add on to my ABS pressure switch failing and my rear door latch failing I now suspect my O-rings are on their way out due to a slow coolant leak and a wet carpet on the drivers (right hand) side.

However, I notice when I remove the right hand panel on my centre console someone has already cut a big hole in the right hand fascia, not unlike the example picture here:

https://www.rangerovers.net/repairdetails/heateroringkv.JPG

So given that it looks like someone has had a go at the O-rings in the past (or is there another job that would require cutting a hole there?) Does that mean my job is significantly easier or do I still need to take most of the dash apart?

biketeacherdave · Dec 28, 2018

No.....its common to make the cut out makes the job so much easier.
Time to replace them again iv had todo mine x3 times since iv owned my p38 last time i fitted a thicker O ring vitron one from my local plumbers. Cost me 25 bloody pence nall

Grrrrrr · Dec 28, 2018

Has it got LPG? Make sure the pipes are nicely immobilised the other side of the bulkhead.

Are you sure it is the rings and not coming from the heater matrix itself? Can you get one of those USB endoscopes in there to see?

ukadamwest · Dec 28, 2018

TallPaulB said:
Hi all, to add on to my ABS pressure switch failing and my rear door latch failing I now suspect my O-rings are on their way out due to a slow coolant leak and a wet carpet on the drivers (right hand) side.

However, I notice when I remove the right hand panel on my centre console someone has already cut a big hole in the right hand fascia, not unlike the example picture here:

https://www.rangerovers.net/repairdetails/heateroringkv.JPG

So given that it looks like someone has had a go at the O-rings in the past (or is there another job that would require cutting a hole there?) Does that mean my job is significantly easier or do I still need to take most of the dash apart?

your heater matrix may have rotted out. I thought my O-rings had gone replaced and messed around trying to get them seated. it was the matrix.

martyUK did my heater matrix replacement and did all the blend motors a year and a half later, still no book symbol.

he also updated my NAV CD too !

TallPaulB · Dec 28, 2018

Grrrrrr said:
Has it got LPG? Make sure the pipes are nicely immobilised the other side of the bulkhead.

Are you sure it is the rings and not coming from the heater matrix itself? Can you get one of those USB endoscopes in there to see?

Hmm, it does have LPG, but I've been round all the pipes and they all seem solid.

Does the heater matrix have coolant circulating through it when it's not heating anything? I've only noticed the leak since the cold weather has kicked in, but that might just be coincidence

ukadamwest · Dec 28, 2018

for LPG the vaporiser is usually installed next to bank 1,3,5,7 the right looking inot the engine bay. its usual to tap off with a T connector by the bulkhead feeds and run the coolant to the vaporiser between the bulkhead and inlet manifold. its a joy and a half when you want to get to the coil packs.

the pipeinlet on the OEM matrix is plastic and with a long travel on the cabin side a small movement in the engine bay will have a big lever movement on the matrix side, the pastic can crack or the orings be unseated.

the matrix has coolant flowing through it all the time, you'll see from the pipe layout and to the LPG T's that the matrix is part of the permanent circulation

TallPaulB · Dec 29, 2018

My LPG setup has 2 vaporisers, one each side of the engine ...no idea why, it was like that when I bought the car.

I'll take another look at the pipework, and see if I can work out exactly where the leak is.

Thanks all!

ukadamwest · Dec 29, 2018

TallPaulB said:
My LPG setup has 2 vaporisers, one each side of the engine ...no idea why, it was like that when I bought the car.

I'll take another look at the pipework, and see if I can work out exactly where the leak is.

Thanks all!

interesting ! one for each bank ? can you post a pic ?

TallPaulB · Dec 29, 2018

Sure, I'll get one in the morning, bit dark out there at the moment

TallPaulB · Dec 29, 2018

Engine bay:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZzM4abKKDiU1TDPX7

pete12345 · Dec 29, 2018

I’ve it’s the o rings and they been done before it could be the matrix you can replace it with an Audi one no o rings required

ukadamwest · Dec 29, 2018

TallPaulB said:
Engine bay:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZzM4abKKDiU1TDPX7

never seen one like that before

TallPaulB · Dec 30, 2018

ukadamwest said:
never seen one like that before

That's what she said.

wammers · Dec 30, 2018

TallPaulB said:
That's what she said.

Never going with a woman with big hands helps.

P38A Heater core O-ring replacement

TallPaulB

Active Member

biketeacherdave

Well-Known Member

Grrrrrr

Technician, Bodgit & Scarper Ltd

ukadamwest

Well-Known Member

TallPaulB

Active Member

ukadamwest

Well-Known Member

TallPaulB

Active Member

ukadamwest

Well-Known Member

TallPaulB

Active Member

TallPaulB

Active Member

pete12345

Well-Known Member

ukadamwest

Well-Known Member

TallPaulB

Active Member

wammers

No longer with us, RIP

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