P38A Heater core O-ring replacement

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?

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

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?

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?

Click to expand...

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 !

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?

Click to expand...

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

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

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!

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!

Click to expand...

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

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

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

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

TallPaulB said:

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

Click to expand...

never seen one like that before

ukadamwest said:

never seen one like that before

Click to expand...

That's what she said.

TallPaulB said:

That's what she said.

Click to expand...

Never going with a woman with big hands helps.