heat exchangers…what do they do?

[gifftopher]

I have a smelly heater (2.0 A/C) and have been told that perhaps the heat exchangers need replacing. They are very expensive though so my question is; what do they actually do. Could I just take them off and do without warm air (not that I get much as it is!) Please don't be angry if that is a stupid question, I'm still learning...

thanks

[Mocki]

dunno about taking them off, but you could, and some do, block off the air flow pipe from the heat exchangers to the cab, stops the smell, and the heat..... i wouldnt go taking them off......

thay do what it says on the tin, turn hot engine into heat for the cab.....

[The Reverend Pimp Daddy]

I cut mine off, they were rotten and rattling,

They are basically heat collecters.....Air from the fan is forced through the various bits of tinware until it reaches the heat exchangers, the exhaust goes through the H/E and warms up the air and it then continues up to the front of the car to come out as heat (sometimes)

Cutting them off just stops the flow of air to the front heaters



But I am saving up for new ones for next winter

[gifftopher]

reverend,

you say cut them off...are we talking angle grinders and sweat or do they unbolt, ready to be replaced when I have a spare few hundred quid (like, never!)

I was in Crewe and Shavington this weekend. Think I saw you. Is your van cream?

[gifftopher]

just saw the pic...no it is not cream, not at all...

[Rozzo]

hi m8
the air is actually blown from a dedicated fan which is attached to your alternator pully(looks like an old fashioned hair dryer), through ducting hose to the back end of both the heat exchangers. the actual exchangers are made up of a set of vanes on the exhaust manifold with a sealed tin 2nd skin around the outside and the blown air passes between the hot fins and the tin cover. it then exits at the front of the exchangers and up steel pipes to 2 heat control pods (one each side) then into a big rubber flexi hose at each side where each side joins a main ducting to come to the front of the van.
when we got ours it was disconnected at the back and it was totally freezing and the windows would not clear.
check at the back to see if oil is leaking onto the exchangers as this could cause the stink if the tinware cover is less than perfect and oil gets between the 2 skins? (also check in the engine bay for anything that could stink when hot as the fan draws its air in through the centre and should have a big rubber boot which could be missing)
failing that it could be that one exchanger is damaged and exhaust fumes are escaping into the air in which case it could be dangerous but you should be able to disconnect the bad one and still get luke warm air on one.
where are you at? perhaps someone could take a look for you if you're unsure?
if you pm me your email addy i can probably send you a diagram of the system so you can see how it works.
i deffo wouldn't just disconnect em as you'll never see where you're going on rainy days. (especially with the patented rubbish t25 wipers)

[Rozzo]

hi m8
just spotted your previous post about the oil filler pipe coming off,,, oil everywhere you say,,, that'll be the reason for the stinky heater then i reckon
it'll burn off eventually probably.

[gifftopher]

rozzo, thanks for the reply

unfortunately it was already stinky before the oil mis-hap. The engine bay is a bit smelly so if it just sucks the air from in there it will stink I guess. Worried about exhaust fumes though. I suppose I will have to get it looked at.

I've pm'ed you my address for that diagram

ta

[ermie571]

Hi Giftopher,

fumes from exhaust should not get into engine bay if all the tinware is in place, and the seal around the edge is good.

There was some info on tinware and its importance on the board some time back - may be worth a search.

Emma

[Rozzo]

mail sent m8.
another thing to check could be the tailpipe on the silencer as if its missing or rotten the fumes could probably get sucked into the van thru the tail door.