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Heater Tap Matrix Query

Billancourt

Enthusiast
Messages
43
Location
London
Hi

I have a coolant leak coming from the brass heater tap. My first thought was that it was coming from the small gasket between the tap and the body of the matrix. On closer inspection I have crystallised coolant around where the rod of the heater tap enters the body of the heater tap and I'm wondering whether it is in fact leaking from this point. I was wondering whether the heater tap has an internal rubber seal which perishes. Any info will be gratefully received.
 
There's a rubber 'O'-ring on the heater valve/tap shaft that can perish and leak. From memory, it's 10mm x 2.5mm. In theory, it's a straightforward job to replace it, but there's a small screw to undo that often seizes. The nuts that hold the tap onto the heater also seize easily, and you have be careful not to break anything, especially when the weather's really cold. It's easy to make a replacement gasket, and you can do the whole job with the heater more or less in situ (it's a lot easier on the back on a LHD car!).
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