rear heater matrix hose query

[tommyrugrat40]

Hi

I have a quick query regarding the removal of the rear heater matrix, as i need to get access for welding, and basically cant see me ever using that rear heater.

I have read many things on this forum about differing methods of by-passing or blocking the inlet and outlet pipes, i just wanted to know if anyone knows roughly the inside diameter of the inlet/outlet pipes as i want to either make a stainless make up pipe (possibly a U shape) or simply blank them off, either way i need the inner dimension.

I know the shop has these:

Rear Heating Blanking Kit (Series1 & 2 vehicles Apr 95 to Oct 97)

But they are currently out of stock, has anybody used the kits?

Thanks.

[Simon Jones]

I fitted a U shaped bypass hose. Don't recal the I/D but I'd guess about 18mm. This was the hose over the starter from a diesel Bongo that I happened to have lying around:



Getting the A/C pipes blanked off was a lot more tricky and took a few attempts to find someone who could weld a plug into the end of the aluminium tubes.

Somewhere, I've got an unused blanking kit from club shop but not entirely sure where it is. If I find it I will measure the I/D.

[cmm303]

Hi

I have a quick query regarding the removal of the rear heater matrix, as i need to get access for welding, and basically cant see me ever using that rear heater.

I have read many things on this forum about differing methods of by-passing or blocking the inlet and outlet pipes, i just wanted to know if anyone knows roughly the inside diameter of the inlet/outlet pipes as i want to either make a stainless make up pipe (possibly a U shape) or simply blank them off, either way i need the inner dimension.

I know the shop has these:

Rear Heating Blanking Kit (Series1 & 2 vehicles Apr 95 to Oct 97)

But they are currently out of stock, has anybody used the kits?

Thanks.

Don't know it in mm but a garden hose joint, the male bit, fits nicely inside the rubber heater hose.

[tommyrugrat40]

Cheers Folks i thought it was 18mm or thereabouts, i will try and cobble something together at the weekend and post my progress, although Simon, that mod looks very do-able.

Thanks again.

[helen&tony]

Hi
18 mm is a tad large, and I by-passed my rear heater temporarily with 16mm coolant hose going across the rear...it needed a little shaved off with a scalpel to start over the stub, so I think 17mm would do nicely ....available on e-Bay
Cheers
Helen

[Beardy.Celt]

Hi to the original poster + the helpful folks that have answered in the thread.

I know it is from 2016, but wished to ask a few more questions, as I haven't found clear or comprehensive answers so far; I have trawled through all of the forum threads, 'Techie Stuff', 'Lush Projects' schematics just to note.

I have 1996, 2.5TD

Q1. Have people found which definitely works best yet, blank or bypass?
a. Blanking the rear heater inlet + outlets pipes?
b. Or bypass the rear heater matrix and join the inlet+outlet rubber hoses (by a U-shaped connector)?
I have read that it would could affect the flow resistance in the system, with it causes problems of correct flow to the front heating matrix.

Q2. If blanking, but keeping the steel + rubber hoses in place (for possible future reconnection), there will coolant that will be 'trapped' in the now blanked pipes+hoses, would this possibly cause an issue with build up of contaminants leading to corrosion + future failure + leaking due to the lack of free flow flushing out any crud build up?

Q3. If blanking, should one just:
a. blank at the hoses terminals that connect onto the rear heater matrix inlet+outlet?
b.Or would it be suggested to blank further back in the system (i.e. closer to thermostat + t-piece on driver side engine outlet side). To render the pipes+hoses obsolete but allow them to not hold coolant and rust out.



Many thanks to all that have created this wonderful resource for these Bongo buses, the advice, help, support and community is such a class resource.