Removing Heater Core?

[66yostagea]

It seems the heater core is leaking, hence the water loss I recall seeing something about "how to" get it out. s there a DIY or a link to it?

[533 RYC]

Maybe use this as a guide Hugh, hopefully they are the same with the wagons:

http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/topic/280174-removal-replacement-of-heater-core-skyline-the-right-way-without-removing-the-dash-at-all/?hl=+heater +core

[Captain Wow]

I can confirm, having followed this guide for my C34 S1 that it does in fact work. Just be careful when reinstalling the screws as they're quite easy to cross thread when you're in this tight spot.

As a note, I had to disconnect the AC lines through the firewall to get to the core (best to get the gas discharged properly). Mine is a 27mm nut (personally didn't have that one in the tool box, so worth getting first). Also, it's a good time to take out your AC filters and give them a clean http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/topic/281475-stag-series-2-air-con-filter-removal/ that'll give you a rough idea.

- Lance

Edited May 1, 2014 by Captain Wow

[66yostagea]

Found the link and spent some time on it. I have now come to the conclusion that I have a blown head gasket. I disconnected the heater hoses andjoined them. Filled the radiator and ran for 1/4 hour at idle speed. Then ran at 3K rpm and soon white frothy in the top of radiator, then STEAM. Only way for that to happen is exhaust into water jacket.

Not the sort of head job I need .LOL

[533 RYC]

Lol, not the sort of head job anybody wants!

True about the steam, but it could also come from the power stroke, not just exhaust. Have you done a comp test?

Do you have any cross contamination?

[66yostagea]

Comp test was all 135/140. There is no water in the oil and just a smidgin in the radiator.

What I dont fully understand is why it runs on all six and shows no loss of power.

I am resigned to getting the head off and it will be a real bitch with the FFP. Am thinking of going back to standard intake and fitting the FFP to the Dayz motor while it is out.

I must have killed a Chinaman.LOL

[533 RYC]

Those numbers are a smidgen low, but even.

Before you rip the head off, have you pressure tested the cooling system?

[66yostagea]

If it was a cooling system to atmosphere the radiator would not get so frothy and emit steam. Right?

[533 RYC]

Correct Hugh, it would be worth pressure testing it though, just incase it's not the head gasket. I have read "Where does the water go".

What did your plugs look like when you removed them?

For an even compression test & doesn't run rough, it sort of doesn't add up.

[66yostagea]

Plugs were all identical. All clean.Pretty perfect.

[DaveM35]

Could it just be overheating and pumping coolant/steam out the overflow? Might be just a thermostat if you haven't eliminated that already.

See if you can get those test strips to check for compression gasses in your coolant. Also is your water pump flowing well, when you rev the engine with cap off radiator you should see the coolant flowing not just sitting still. Radiator may also be starting to block up.

[KiwiRS4T]

Take it to a radiator shop - they should pressure test it for free and if the pressure doesn't go down then as above check water pump and radiator core. You should be able to tell if the pump is not recirculating the water. Lastly your thermostat might be stuck shut. Just buy a new stocker and replace it if you are going to the trouble of pulling the old one out (but test it any way to see if it was the problem).