Scorpio's heating unit

gd1418 · 28th July 2008, 21:05

Friends, I've a peculiar problem. This evening I was getting some work done inside the vehicle near the gear console towards the driver's side when the mechanic called me and showed me a few green dots on the carpet and also a green coloured liquid on his finger. I asked him what this was and he told me it was coolant.

When I asked him how in the world coolant came inside the car, he said that it was due to a leakage in the heating unit that is located inside at the back of the gear console. He told me that it could be a minor leak that could be repaired or the heating unit 'gal gaya' which in case would need to be replaced.

Now for either occurrence the dashboard has to be dismantled, heating unit removed, repaired or replaced as the case may be, A/c gas to be refilled etc., which would involve one whole day. Approx cost - Rs.7K (if the heating unit is to be replaced). He said that a new heating unit would cost 3.5K.

The other alternative to save cost he suggested that if I wouldn't use heating anymore then he would stop the water flow from the bonnet and disable it.

Now, anybody out here has experienced anything similar?

RedMM340 · 29th July 2008, 00:51

I recently had my Palio's AC serviced, so they had to open the dash and get to the cooling coil. When they did this, they found evidence of corrosion and leaks on the heater core. So it was replaced. The heater core cost me 3.5k . The labor was Rs. 1300, and gas top up was 800. All work done by Fiat Dealer in Noida (Samyak/Elegant).

7k for your job seems high. I would expect the Scorpio's heater core to cost less. You should be able to get a complete AC service and heater core replacement for less. The dealer has a device that sucks up the refrigerant gas, then the does the servicing/repair, puts the gas back in and does a top up.

You could just bypass the heater core by connecting the two heater hoses together before they go into the firewall. But then you would have no heating. I would not do that, but you can look at your budget and decide.

Rehaan · 29th July 2008, 05:04

GD,

1. Do you actually use the heating?
2. A/C gas needs to be refilled ?? Why - i dont think this would be necessary if you are only mending the heater core/piping. Please explain.
3. It could be a small crack or bad joint at the piping - total cost could be a lot less.

cya
R

wanderernomad · 29th July 2008, 11:57

Gd Bhai, before you dismantle the dash please check the rear piping as if its only a few drops there might be just a simple crack. It can be easily mended. There are a couple of guys in Lajpat Nagar who do retrofitment of such things. I am sure they would offer you a much cheaper solution.

tsk1979 · 29th July 2008, 12:08

you can make do without the heating, but don't forget to remove and refit the dash.
If there is a leak rest assured, you will have water deposits behind the dashboard which will lead to fungus etc., a few months later.
So get the dash opened, get the entire thing cleaned. Don't remove the cooling coils etc., AC mechanics remove the coils and clean them because
1. Its easier
2. They can make money of gas refilling.
you can also try to get the heating unit repaired from a competent electrician.

I recently got the dash of my indica removed and cooling coils cleaned. Labor was 1000rs, and a chemical bottle costed 250rs. Some retaping of wiring harness was also done to take care of shorts.

Since water has gone behind, its best to get dashboard removed and see what else is damaged, otherwise you will be stranded somewhere with blown fuses.

you can look at my thread
https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/techn...some-time.html (AC fuse blowing after some time)

Water was not the culprit here, but a sharp edged metal bracket.

gd1418 · 29th July 2008, 14:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedMM340

I recently had my Palio's AC serviced, so they had to open the dash and get to the cooling coil. When they did this, they found evidence of corrosion and leaks on the heater core. So it was replaced. The heater core cost me 3.5k . The labor was Rs. 1300, and gas top up was 800. All work done by Fiat Dealer in Noida (Samyak/Elegant).

7k for your job seems high. I would expect the Scorpio's heater core to cost less. You should be able to get a complete AC service and heater core replacement for less. The dealer has a device that sucks up the refrigerant gas, then the does the servicing/repair, puts the gas back in and does a top up.

You could just bypass the heater core by connecting the two heater hoses together before they go into the firewall. But then you would have no heating. I would not do that, but you can look at your budget and decide.

The heater core for the Scorpio is for 3.5k, so that matches with your figures. Since the AC was never serviced since the car was purchased, I'm getting that done as well since the dash is being opened. Disbaling of the heating was the option suggested by the mechanic to cut costs, but I'm not looking at that. My problem is if a system exists in the car then it should work.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rehaan

GD,

1. Do you actually use the heating?
2. A/C gas needs to be refilled ?? Why - i dont think this would be necessary if you are only mending the heater core/piping. Please explain.
3. It could be a small crack or bad joint at the piping - total cost could be a lot less.

cya
R

Yes rehan, I use the heating. Delhi/NCR in winters is freezing, plus during monsoons when the windscreen mists, heating comes in handy. I was told that the gas reharging would have to be done. I'll find out more details once it is opened tomorrow. If it is just a crack or a bad joint, it shall be attended to accordingly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wanderernomad

Gd Bhai, before you dismantle the dash please check the rear piping as if its only a few drops there might be just a simple crack. It can be easily mended. There are a couple of guys in Lajpat Nagar who do retrofitment of such things. I am sure they would offer you a much cheaper solution.

I shall keep that in mind. Thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsk1979

you can make do without the heating, but don't forget to remove and refit the dash.
If there is a leak rest assured, you will have water deposits behind the dashboard which will lead to fungus etc., a few months later.
So get the dash opened, get the entire thing cleaned. Don't remove the cooling coils etc., AC mechanics remove the coils and clean them because
1. Its easier
2. They can make money of gas refilling.
you can also try to get the heating unit repaired from a competent electrician.

I recently got the dash of my indica removed and cooling coils cleaned. Labor was 1000rs, and a chemical bottle costed 250rs. Some retaping of wiring harness was also done to take care of shorts.

Since water has gone behind, its best to get dashboard removed and see what else is damaged, otherwise you will be stranded somewhere with blown fuses.

you can look at my thread
https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/techn...some-time.html (AC fuse blowing after some time)

Water was not the culprit here, but a sharp edged metal bracket.

Thanks Tanveer for the tips. Shall keep in mind.

Rehaan · 29th July 2008, 21:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by gd1418

...I was told that the gas reharging would have to be done...

I didnt realise you also wanted to get your AC serviced as you mentioned later. In that case recharging the gas is fine.
I was just making sure that they werent telling you you'd have to re-charge the AC gas if they serviced the heating system (only)

Quote:

Originally Posted by gd1418

...Delhi/NCR in winters is freezing,..

Agreed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gd1418

...plus during monsoons when the windscreen mists, heating comes in handy...

Actually i dont think you should be using the heater at all for misting, it should be the A/C since the mist usually happens when the glass is warmer on the inside and cooler on the outside no? (http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/910433-post23.html)

cya
R

Mohnish · 30th July 2008, 20:45

I'm not sure about this, but as far as I know, when the heater is not being used, the coolant does not flow through the heating element (coil). Assuming this is the case, the leak is probably from a pipe that leads to the heating coil or maybe at one of the joints along the way.

Maybe you should check for this first before replacing the heater coil, paying 3.5k for it, and then realising it was a cheaper rubber link hose.

Switch on the heater and see if the leak increases. If yes, then unfortunately it is the coil, if not then look else where.

But again, I'm not sure about this, so trial and error may be the way to go.

Good luck. Hope this helps.

gd1418 · 31st July 2008, 12:07

Thanks. Shall keep this aspect too in mind..

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mohnish

Switch on the heater and see if the leak increases. If yes, then unfortunately it is the coil, if not then look else where.

But again, I'm not sure about this, so trial and error may be the way to go.

Good luck. Hope this helps.

28th July 2008, 21:05	#1
gd1418 Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 3,577 Thanked: 729 Times View My Garage	Scorpio's heating unit Friends, I've a peculiar problem. This evening I was getting some work done inside the vehicle near the gear console towards the driver's side when the mechanic called me and showed me a few green dots on the carpet and also a green coloured liquid on his finger. I asked him what this was and he told me it was coolant. When I asked him how in the world coolant came inside the car, he said that it was due to a leakage in the heating unit that is located inside at the back of the gear console. He told me that it could be a minor leak that could be repaired or the heating unit 'gal gaya' which in case would need to be replaced. Now for either occurrence the dashboard has to be dismantled, heating unit removed, repaired or replaced as the case may be, A/c gas to be refilled etc., which would involve one whole day. Approx cost - Rs.7K (if the heating unit is to be replaced). He said that a new heating unit would cost 3.5K. The other alternative to save cost he suggested that if I wouldn't use heating anymore then he would stop the water flow from the bonnet and disable it. Now, anybody out here has experienced anything similar?
	() Thanks

29th July 2008, 00:51	#2
RedMM340 BHPian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: on the move Posts: 457 Thanked: 34 Times	I recently had my Palio's AC serviced, so they had to open the dash and get to the cooling coil. When they did this, they found evidence of corrosion and leaks on the heater core. So it was replaced. The heater core cost me 3.5k . The labor was Rs. 1300, and gas top up was 800. All work done by Fiat Dealer in Noida (Samyak/Elegant). 7k for your job seems high. I would expect the Scorpio's heater core to cost less. You should be able to get a complete AC service and heater core replacement for less. The dealer has a device that sucks up the refrigerant gas, then the does the servicing/repair, puts the gas back in and does a top up. You could just bypass the heater core by connecting the two heater hoses together before they go into the firewall. But then you would have no heating. I would not do that, but you can look at your budget and decide.
	() Thanks

29th July 2008, 05:04	#3
Rehaan Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 24,198 Thanked: 36,140 Times	GD, 1. Do you actually use the heating? 2. A/C gas needs to be refilled ?? Why - i dont think this would be necessary if you are only mending the heater core/piping. Please explain. 3. It could be a small crack or bad joint at the piping - total cost could be a lot less. cya R
	() Thanks

29th July 2008, 11:57	#4
wanderernomad Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 2,552 Thanked: 1,296 Times View My Garage	Gd Bhai, before you dismantle the dash please check the rear piping as if its only a few drops there might be just a simple crack. It can be easily mended. There are a couple of guys in Lajpat Nagar who do retrofitment of such things. I am sure they would offer you a much cheaper solution.
	() Thanks

29th July 2008, 12:08	#5
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,688 Thanked: 23,494 Times View My Garage	you can make do without the heating, but don't forget to remove and refit the dash. If there is a leak rest assured, you will have water deposits behind the dashboard which will lead to fungus etc., a few months later. So get the dash opened, get the entire thing cleaned. Don't remove the cooling coils etc., AC mechanics remove the coils and clean them because 1. Its easier 2. They can make money of gas refilling. you can also try to get the heating unit repaired from a competent electrician. I recently got the dash of my indica removed and cooling coils cleaned. Labor was 1000rs, and a chemical bottle costed 250rs. Some retaping of wiring harness was also done to take care of shorts. Since water has gone behind, its best to get dashboard removed and see what else is damaged, otherwise you will be stranded somewhere with blown fuses. you can look at my thread https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/techn...some-time.html (AC fuse blowing after some time) Water was not the culprit here, but a sharp edged metal bracket.
	() Thanks

30th July 2008, 20:45	#8
Mohnish BHPian Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 205 Thanked: Once	I'm not sure about this, but as far as I know, when the heater is not being used, the coolant does not flow through the heating element (coil). Assuming this is the case, the leak is probably from a pipe that leads to the heating coil or maybe at one of the joints along the way. Maybe you should check for this first before replacing the heater coil, paying 3.5k for it, and then realising it was a cheaper rubber link hose. Switch on the heater and see if the leak increases. If yes, then unfortunately it is the coil, if not then look else where. But again, I'm not sure about this, so trial and error may be the way to go. Good luck. Hope this helps.
	() Thanks