Heater O rings question

Hi guys,

I am attempting to replace the heater O rings following the guide on here.
I have removed the pipes from the heater and removed what I thought to be the O rings. These are nothing like the replacement O rings I have bought. Unfortunatly I did not take notice of which way around these rings were fitted on the pipes as I expected O rings.
Picture's attached showing rings removed and new O rings bought.

Does anyone know if these are a replacement for O rings or wether these should be present and O rings fitted as well and if so which way round do they fit on the pipes.

Thanks, Don.

I'm going to pop in and let peeps know that it's a 2000 P38 Vogue 4.6 on LPG because it helps others to help you when they know what kind of car it is.

West Slope Rover said:

I'm going to pop in and let peeps know that it's a 2000 P38 Vogue 4.6 on LPG because it helps others to help you when they know what kind of car it is.

Click to expand...

Thanks West Slope Rover, I should have added that myself.

Replaced mine 3 days ago with ordinary o-rings from a kit - looks similar to the ones you have
Not a drop so far but have only been hot/cold 3 times

The O Rings are the correct part, they do get a bit mis-shaped...to say the lease...just put some copperslip on the holding bolt/screw before replacing it.

Druim said:

Replaced mine 3 days ago with ordinary o-rings from a kit - looks similar to the ones you have
Not a drop so far but have only been hot/cold 3 times

Click to expand...

Hi Druim,

When you removed the original orings, did they look anything like the attached picture below.

The o rings we removed from ours look much bigger than the replacements and they have a key way moulded into them as if to say they fit into the pipes and housing in a specific way.

Also they do not look deformed or miss-shaped.

Many thanks

Don

Looks as though they have deformed as one face looks flat. The "O" rings are standard and the cross section should be round, there is no "keyway"moulded into them and they should be a sliding fit on the pipe. The Valeo heater unit fitted to the P38 is the same throughout the model range as far as I know.
I used a couple of normal "O" rings which came in an industrial selection box about 5 years ago and they have not given any trouble. A smear of washing up liquid on them when fitting will do no harm. As posted, smear the clamp screw with copper grease before refitting, preferably replace the clamp screw with a stainless socket (Allen) cap screw, the thread is M5 and I think the length, from memory is 30mm (Measure the existing screw to check)...The cap screw is easier to access than the pozidrive originally fitted, with a ball ended allen key.

Don1 said:

Hi Druim,

When you removed the original orings, did they look anything like the attached picture below.

The o rings we removed from ours look much bigger than the replacements and they have a key way moulded into them as if to say they fit into the pipes and housing in a specific way.

Also they do not look deformed or miss-shaped.

Many thanks

Don

Click to expand...

Mine was a bit square as yours so wouldn't worry after seeing the comment by Irishrover

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the replies.
Fitted new O rings and pressure tested by attaching a hose pipe to one of the heater hoses under the bonnet and using my thumb on the other pipe to cause pressure in the heater matrix. Could'nt see any leaks so hopefully problem is solved. I will put everything back another time. I had a bad back before starting this and it's much worse now. Time to medicate with Beer.

In case it helps anyone else doing this job I have attached a picture of the hole I drilled in the side of the centre console showing the position of the long screwdriver to reach the famous O ring screw. This allowed a good straight grip on the screw and it came out quite easily. I never actually saw this screw, located screwdriver to screw by touch. Not an easy job but not as bad as I had expected.

Cheers, Don.