Heater Core Info

[miscue]

Hello everyone, I'm new to the board but have gotten lots of good info from it so far.

 

My wife and I are traveling in New Zealand for a year and so just bought an 88 Subaru Leone here (GL it's called in the States I think?), carbed, 4wd. Needless to say I've fallen in love with the thing and never intend to drive any other make of car once I get back to the US. Anyway, I bought it with the heater core bypassed but because it's had several owners I don't know from anyone if it was clogged, leaking, or what. I've read here that the EA82s had brass ones that were unlikely to leak, but want to pressure test it before hooking up the coolant lines and finding out the hard way.

 

Anyone here have any idea how to do that? Should I not go over 15 PSI or so?

 

Because we're traveling I don't have much access to more than basic tools so this has become like a MacGyver episode for me. I'm thinking with some hose and rubber balloons I could inflate one on the output pipe, then watch for deflation. What do you experts think? Should that do it, or should I go to a mechanic and see if they have some handheld vacuum gauge I could pay to rent? Ideas welcome...

 

Thanks

[GeneralDisorder]

Just hook it up and see. You'll know if it leaks - it will be on the carpet most likely.

 

There wouldn't be much point to bypassing it unless it was leaking. Even clogged it wouldn't hurt anything as far as the cooling system is concerned.

 

More work than you would want to do to replace it I'm sure.... but you could get creative with a transmission oil-cooler, some longer hoses, and a bit of ingenuity with some 12v fans...... or light the passenger seat on fire.

 

They make some inexpensive 12v heaters these days that might help a bit.

 

GD

[spokanesoob]

for a temp. fix if your in bad need of heat i would use the cigarette lighter plug in style heaters.

Or do like GD says and just light the pass. seat on fire could be entertaining.... and nice heat too.. :

[robm]

You are in New Zealand. There are more inventive jackleg mechanics per capita there than any place outside of this board. And people are so friendly, it is almost scary. Ask around at the places you are staying, particularly if you are in the country, and you should find someone that will give you a hand. Bring beer.

 

Getting into fall there, and it will be getting a bit nippy, especially in the South Island.

 

If you can't get the heat to work, head north. Opoutere, or Bay of Islands would be my suggestion.

[idosubaru]

like GD said, there's just no reason to bypass it other than leaking really. i woudln't spend much time trying to diagnose it, but if you come up with something simple i guess access is already granted since the hoses aren't connected. still sounds annoying trying to keep it air tight on both sides to test.

[miscue]

Thanks to everyone for the info. Think I'll take the advice of portable heaters (Amazon has some seat heaters for $15).

 

Well I'm off to change the thermostat...the one in there now is either stuck open or just plain missing. Anything tricky I need to know about draining the coolant or is it pretty straightforward?

 

Thanks again