Chat about the latest new website changes and general car related things!
Vanny
Site Admin
Posts: 7512
Joined: 10 Oct 2006
Location: BXProjectHQ

Heater Tap Replacement

Post by Vanny » 20 May 2012

Well with all the recent discussion about changing heater taps and the copious amount of recent experience I’ve had with changing them, I thought it might be about time to do a write up. I must admit that this is my 4th tap change in 3 months, not all on the same car, but I’m getting rather sick of doing them!

So this is what a new tap looks like! Brand new, bought by a friend of mine back in 2008 at the Stratford Rally, we’re not sure how much he paid for it, but he’s been well recompensed.

Image

We’ll split this into two parts, taking the old one out, and putting the new one in!

Removal
You can start in many places on this job, I prefer to start under the bonnet, you don’t then have to return there until the very end. So you need to undo the two hoses that run from the engine to the heater pipes. The TD is probably the hardest, followed by the Valver, there are many combinations but the sequence is typically the same, remove the top hose, then the bottom hose. Like this;

Image

Close up of the top hose;

Image

Disconnect top rail (not on all models, this is well worth doing, its one extra hose clamp, and gives a lot of extra movement). At this hose you’ll get a bit of coolant leak.

Image

With the top hose removed you can start on the lower hose. This will drain ALL of the coolant in the engine by syphoning if you don’t do something about it. I’ve used a fuel line clamp, the orange plier looking thing (£5 in Halfords).

Image

That’s under the bonnet done with for now. Into the cabin.

Just take the steering column out. This can be debated for many hours, and you can do the job without taking it out, but for the 5 minutes it takes, and 5 extra nuts, just do it. I’m going to whip the wheel off first though, it makes getting in and out of the car a little better.

Remove the centre cover from the steering wheel and undo the 21mm nut, remove the nut and spring washed behind it. Grab the steering wheel at 12 and 6 and rock the wheel back and forth (pushing the top while pulling the bottom, and then reverse), about 5 times and it should free off.

Image

Centre console next. First take the vents out. If you look down the outside of the centre vents you’ll see a spring washer. When you take the vent out, this washer is going to exploded off into the car somewhere, so first CLOSE THE VENT. Trust me, you’ll be glad of this.

Image

Did you close the vent? Okay, stick a wide flat bladed screw driver down the side of the vent, put slight side pressure on it and pull the screw driver end of the vent along the screw driver flat.

Image

Don’t forget to recover the spring!

Image

Vents out

Image

Pull the knobs off. Sometimes they’re stiff and take a bit of a wiggle, this is good, it means there not broken like most of them. With the knobs off you need to remove the screws from behind the outer knobs. If you have aircon, with the sliders like below, you’ll be tempted to pull them off, DON’T, they’re fixed, you’ll only break them!

Image

To pull the console out there are two big metal clips either side of the vent aperture. Stick a screw driver in, pull the spring out (lever the lip towards the aperture) and pull the console forward.

Image

Once you’ve done both clips and pulled the facia out, you’ll need to disconnect the fag lighter socket.

Image

You’ll then be faced with this, the blower control. You might notice that I have done the MAX Blower mod, I’m not sure exactly why, but this has made no difference on my factory fit air con car. I suspect the AC wiring is a little different.

Image

Notice this clip at the bottom of the circuit board, it holds the outer sheath of the Bowden cable which controls the heater tap.

Image

Remove the four screws that hold the control panel retainer in place, then lift the white lugs over the black lugs in the dash.

Image
Image


Then do the other side. If you’ve got air con, the recirc switch will foul the centre vent duct. Fortunately the centre vent duct is incredibly pliable so it will pass with some gentle force.

Image

To get the retainer to roll forward you’ll need to remove the brown plug. This is often forgotten when reassembling!

Image


Remember that spring clip, undo it, and disconnect the cable.

Image

Okay, let’s take the bottom of the steering column off. First you need to remove the lower steering column shroud. There are four screws in the corners. I couldn’t get a good picture of the whole shroud, but the screws are the ones that are sunk into the shroud.
Behind where the steering wheel was, there are two small screws that also need removal for the shroud to drop.

Image

Disconnect the dimmer and the ‘doors open buzzer’

Image

With the shroud removed, undo the four nuts holding the upper steering column to the car. I recommend putting one of the top nuts back on by three turns, it will save it from hitting you in the face!

Image


Now until the pinch bolt on the universal joint half way down the steering column. It only fits one way around so don’t worry about marking it for re-fitment. You’ll need two 13mm spanners to undo it. The nut is oval so don’t be too worried if it’s not super tight! With the pinch bolt removed, undo the last nut holding the column up, pull the upper column off the lower column, and lower the whole lot into the foot well. There is no need to undo the wires to the stalks, but I would recommend undoing the two bolts holding the bonnet release leaver as this will give you much more freedom of movement in the upper steering column.

Image

Image


Man look at this for access.

Image

PART 2

Using a bit of logical progression, we're going to now work from the dash to the bulkhead

Eventually we need to slid the heater core out by around 4" (100mm) in order to get the tap out of the bulkhead. These following steps will make this much easier, just at a point where a weaker person might be scratching there heads and possibly swearing in french.

First remove the heater core retaining screws. Unfortunately i struggled to get a decent picture, so i'm going to have to combine a picture and a diagram. The stars show where the two retaining screws are. They are 7mm head and the one closest to the heater tap is often missing because it is rather difficult to get at.

Image

Image

Next you need to remove the common instrument earth point. I don't think this is fitted to all models, but it holds the earths for a lot of the 'toys' on the car. When you get to the end of the job and indicators, washers, tacho and door open warning lights don't work, you forgot to reconnect these! (its the white blob at the top of this picture;

Image

Removal is straight forward, remove the cage type retainer by squeezing the sides, the disconnect the yellow and brown connectors.

Image

In the middle is a 1omm headed bolt to remove. The metal that the connectors plug into is actually in two pieces, but when they seperate dont panic as they only go back together one way. There is potential for temptation to set in here, it is possible to pull the heater core out just enough with the connectors and white plastic cage removed, however damage to the metal pins is inevitable and not worth the extra 30 seconds to remove the bolt.

Image

Image


Now you need to remove the main fixing bolt for the heater tap. It is at the bottom left hand rear of the lower tap section and bolts the heater tap to the HVAC casing (HVAC is the big box of plastic that the air blows through!). It's hard to see and easy to miss. You don't want to miss it!!

I've struggled to get a decent picture. I'll try again at some point.

Next, disconnect the linkages. The hardest to reach is (for once) the easiest to remove simply put a flat bladed screw driver between the linkage arm (black) and the metal bar and slowly prise or twist off the linkage. It should pop off the mushroom headed stud without too much force.


Image

you can see it popped off here

Image

You'll also need to undo the lower linkage by undoing the screw holding the bar into the lever just below the heater matrix. Two turns should do it, there is no need to remove the screw completely or you'll be cursing later when you cant find it!

Image

Okay so with the heater tap free, we can disconnect it from the heater core by removing the 4 long bolts (with 7mm heads). I recommend un doing the lower left and completely removing the bolt BEFORE tackling the upper left as this gives you a little more spanner weilding room. You can see in the picture below that the lower left bolt has been completely removed.

Image


next, slide the heater core out. It is still held in place with four plastic clips which take a little bit of force to pop open. Don't be tempted to use a screw driver, it will only end in tears! You'll see here my mistake, at this point i hadn't taken off the bonnet release handle and the cable is right in the way of the pipes from the heater core!

Image

Well now the tricky part, getting the tap out! First un wind the control cable (that we disconnected earlier) from the bowels of the dash, and point it into the footwell. Its springy and likes to sleep in your eyeball, so be carefull with it!

The tap is still held into the body of the car by a big rubber bung at the bottom of the pipes. You'll eventually need this bung out, and if you try to pull the pipes out without the bung you're going to load one of the pipes and probably break it, so try to remove the pipes with the bung. It is a case of gently tugging on the heater tap until it comes out. I take it right over towards the HVAC, under the heater core, then completely under the dash down the side of the clutch pedal. No number of pictures can explain this, so i'm not going to try! As a pointer, it can help if you move the big metal actuator about to clear the heater matrix pipes. You will get some resistance when trying to pull the tap out, usually from the rubber. Don't panic!


And here's one i pulled out earlier!

Image



End of Part 2. Please Change the Cassette.
ImageImage

User avatar
mat_the_cat
Centenial time waster
Posts: 2656
Joined: 01 Apr 2009

Re: Heater Tap Replacement

Post by mat_the_cat » 20 May 2012

Why have you taken the dials and control panel off?
Image Image Image Image

mickey taker
GET OUT MORE
Posts: 4639
Joined: 12 Jun 2007
Location: in the cowshed

Re: Heater Tap Replacement

Post by mickey taker » 20 May 2012

Oh Mat even I know this silly.


Its to release the top end of the bowden cable , its easier to reattatch it at the top than at the bottom once its all back in place.
so you reattach it at the bottom first after swapping the tap ( while you have more slack because the top is detatched)then reattatch at the top






I think thats what Vanny said when he did mine anyway :D
Light travels quicker than sound.That's why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

Image

Philhod
GET OUT MORE
Posts: 8744
Joined: 01 Nov 2007
Location: Wigan Lancs
Contact:

Re: Heater Tap Replacement

Post by Philhod » 20 May 2012

Oh Mat even I know this is silly.

sorted :wink:
72... AND STILL ROCKIN..........around the world...... NOT in a chair yet

Now XBX And into HDI.....as well as other ...err.... things.

User avatar
jayw
Part of the decor
Posts: 1651
Joined: 06 Aug 2009
Location: Planet Thargbelch Octavius IV

Re: Heater Tap Replacement

Post by jayw » 20 May 2012

Has it failed again then Vanny?
Almost BX-less

Vanny
Site Admin
Posts: 7512
Joined: 10 Oct 2006
Location: BXProjectHQ

Re: Heater Tap Replacement

Post by Vanny » 21 May 2012

Yep, spectacularly. I think its actually failed at the seal where the little bar goes through though. It managed to hold out for about 30 miles before giving me wet feet :( But given that i had a 50/50 glycol mix, it hasn't half made a mess. Have to get the carpet shampooer off my parents.

Mat, what Mickey said.
ImageImage

User avatar
jayw
Part of the decor
Posts: 1651
Joined: 06 Aug 2009
Location: Planet Thargbelch Octavius IV

Re: Heater Tap Replacement

Post by jayw » 21 May 2012

Possibly the crud has shitted up the matrix and now with full-flow through the tap and not enough circulation the top seal could be the weakest link???

Or it could just be shi'ite... :wink:
Almost BX-less

mickey taker
GET OUT MORE
Posts: 4639
Joined: 12 Jun 2007
Location: in the cowshed

Re: Heater Tap Replacement

Post by mickey taker » 21 May 2012

on reassembly




DONT FORGET TO PLUG THE FUCKING PANEL LIGHT PLUG BACK IN
nothing worse than unlit heater knobs :roll:
Light travels quicker than sound.That's why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

Image

User avatar
mat_the_cat
Centenial time waster
Posts: 2656
Joined: 01 Apr 2009

Re: Heater Tap Replacement

Post by mat_the_cat » 22 May 2012

mickey taker wrote:Its to release the top end of the bowden cable , its easier to reattatch it at the top than at the bottom once its all back in place.
Wish I'd thought of that! :oops:
Image Image Image Image

User avatar
docchevron132
Bus Warrior
Posts: 11929
Joined: 10 Oct 2006
Location: Sat with a hammer under 8666KGs of rust!
Contact:

Re: Heater Tap Replacement

Post by docchevron132 » 22 May 2012

how urgent do you need one Vanny? I can get one off a scrapper on Sunday and post it up?
1989 BX 17TD P2 Hybrid
1990 BX 16V It's got big hairy bollocks
1971 BL 350FG ambulance
1993 Dennis Lance 132 It's got mahooosive hairy bollocks!


Euthenasia, because enough's enough already.

User avatar
smiffy
Centenial time waster
Posts: 2176
Joined: 02 Aug 2007
Location: Ormskirk or Bristol
Contact:

Re: Heater Tap Replacement

Post by smiffy » 22 May 2012

whatcha talking about chris, a carpet, or a tap?
They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away...
but now that most of them are muslim, I find bacon and sausages work better!

Vanny
Site Admin
Posts: 7512
Joined: 10 Oct 2006
Location: BXProjectHQ

Re: Heater Tap Replacement

Post by Vanny » 22 May 2012

I see you read the whole post docco!

A tap is not required, having god a brand new one from PiLsY the other weekend, and fitted it to the car three days ago! I nearly wee'd myself when PiLsY said he had one, he made me very happy!
ImageImage

User avatar
jayw
Part of the decor
Posts: 1651
Joined: 06 Aug 2009
Location: Planet Thargbelch Octavius IV

Re: Heater Tap Replacement

Post by jayw » 22 May 2012

Vanny wrote:I nearly wee'd myself
If that makes you wee, getting married will make you shit yourself :lol:

:wink:
Almost BX-less

mickey taker
GET OUT MORE
Posts: 4639
Joined: 12 Jun 2007
Location: in the cowshed

Re: Heater Tap Replacement

Post by mickey taker » 22 May 2012

Ive shat meself twice now then and didnt realize it :D
Light travels quicker than sound.That's why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

Image

User avatar
docchevron132
Bus Warrior
Posts: 11929
Joined: 10 Oct 2006
Location: Sat with a hammer under 8666KGs of rust!
Contact:

Re: Heater Tap Replacement

Post by docchevron132 » 22 May 2012

smiffy wrote:whatcha talking about chris, a carpet, or a tap?
either or both. Easy to get to in the black valver.

Vanster, no, I kinda skipped bits.. I was tired.
1989 BX 17TD P2 Hybrid
1990 BX 16V It's got big hairy bollocks
1971 BL 350FG ambulance
1993 Dennis Lance 132 It's got mahooosive hairy bollocks!


Euthenasia, because enough's enough already.

Vanny
Site Admin
Posts: 7512
Joined: 10 Oct 2006
Location: BXProjectHQ

Re: Heater Tap Replacement

Post by Vanny » 22 May 2012

carpets dried out nice, but i'll borrow mums wet vac next time im home, does an amazing job on bx carpet.
ImageImage

User avatar
docchevron132
Bus Warrior
Posts: 11929
Joined: 10 Oct 2006
Location: Sat with a hammer under 8666KGs of rust!
Contact:

Re: Heater Tap Replacement

Post by docchevron132 » 23 May 2012

is it just me that thinks "mums wet vac" sounds WRONG?
1989 BX 17TD P2 Hybrid
1990 BX 16V It's got big hairy bollocks
1971 BL 350FG ambulance
1993 Dennis Lance 132 It's got mahooosive hairy bollocks!


Euthenasia, because enough's enough already.

User avatar
mat_the_cat
Centenial time waster
Posts: 2656
Joined: 01 Apr 2009

Re: Heater Tap Replacement

Post by mat_the_cat » 23 May 2012

Just you I think - it's clearly a C, not a G.
Image Image Image Image

User avatar
docchevron132
Bus Warrior
Posts: 11929
Joined: 10 Oct 2006
Location: Sat with a hammer under 8666KGs of rust!
Contact:

Re: Heater Tap Replacement

Post by docchevron132 » 24 May 2012

so similar though.... :(
1989 BX 17TD P2 Hybrid
1990 BX 16V It's got big hairy bollocks
1971 BL 350FG ambulance
1993 Dennis Lance 132 It's got mahooosive hairy bollocks!


Euthenasia, because enough's enough already.

User avatar
mat_the_cat
Centenial time waster
Posts: 2656
Joined: 01 Apr 2009

Re: Heater Tap Replacement

Post by mat_the_cat » 24 May 2012

The earthing block also feeds the rear wiper relay, and somehow I plugged them back so this was not making a connection yet everything else worked. What are you going to do about the O rings between the matrix and tap? Even new ones don't seem to stand that proud of the recess they sit in, so I wouldn't expect old ones to seal at all.
Image Image Image Image

Post Reply