GUII heater core replacement

[mudski]

I'd actually prefer having a tap. Atleast there will be no hot air leakage when its on cold like mine does. Even with all near seals on every diversion flap in the heater box.

[jff45]

I'd actually prefer having a tap. Atleast there will be no hot air leakage when its on cold like mine does. Even with all near seals on every diversion flap in the heater box.

In theory so do I but I just don’t like the idea of putting the 20 year old tap back in with the amount of work involved. Nissan didn’t keep the tap version for long and I haven’t read a lot of complaints about hot air entry in general.
I’m trying to determine if any other mods were done to the heater box when the tap model was abandoned. If it’s all still the same then I prefer no tap.

I’m guessing that any new heater core with tap like Patrolapart sell would have been manufactured a long time ago anyway and I’m not willing to spend $800 with that kind of risk.

[mudski]

If I could somehow use a VT/VY Commy heater tap which recirculates the water at the tap rather than just blocking it, I reckon thats the go.

[jff45]

I spent $50 today on a complete heater block unit with AC evap and blower, etc and I’m surprised to find the tap is really well made. This heater core wasn’t leaking but I suspect they get damaged because the foam that fits them snuggly in the box just completely disintegrates over time and the core can shake about over bumps.
Anyway, I thought it was worth the small expense to get a preview of what needs doing to take it apart.

Hope I can make a start on it in a week or so..

[jff45]

I took this spare heater box apart and thought some GU owners might find this interesting.
This is how blocked up the AC evaporator can get if you don’t do the cabin filter mod..

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[jff45]

This is how I plan to get rid of the tap. The right side tube is almost the same angle as the tap so I cut off the flange on the left leg where the tap was attached and cut the leg off the right side tube and this should allow me to make a replacement part.

The pics show where I’m at with it. The tube is 1.6mm ally so I can TIG that no problem.
I just need to make up a jig so I make it exactly the same as the tap elbow.
If I bugger it up I’ll just reuse the original tap..

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[MB]

There is no end to your Fabrication/Upgrade Legendary Skills John Mate

Thanks for sharing as Always

FWIW: Once cleaned the horrifically blocked (looked like solid mud, only indoors dust & moisture) heater core out on our old Family 2001 GU insitu without removing the entire dash as was dreading it and thought I knew better….can do attitude
My neck is still sore, fingers are still scarred and elongated and the plastic surrounds up under its dash are still speed taped back together due to aggressive/frustrated removal and re-installation
IT can be done though……NOT recommended


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[jff45]

The heater core i have here is still like new. The AC evap acted like a filter because all the air goes through it first.
Here’s the core showing how the foam has disintegrated with age.

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[jff45]

Sitting down at my welding table playing with this heater tap mod and happened to look up to find this guy taking a nap here. Maybe digesting the neighbour’s cat..
He’ll probably hang around for a few days.


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[jff45]

I did my GUII a while back. A bitch of a job to do. Wasn't hard just a lot to remove and refit. My GU is a 8/2001 and is uses the cheaper unit that PaP sell. Put your VIN into here : https://partsouq.com/ and this will tell you what core you have.

Mark, just to clarify, yours is 8/2001 and it already had the heater core with no tap?