Heater

[cjespinoza]

I've read all of the posts regarding heaters and heater cores and have some questions that I didn't see answered. Heater just randomly started leaking profusely a few days ago. I sthat normal for heaters to just go bad at any time during the boating season?

Second question. I managed to get the whole thing out and I can see the heater core but I don't see any way to remove it from the gray box. Is that standard for most boats? Mine is a 2005 Response.

Thanks.

[UWSkier]

Unless something's changed since the Heatercraft units they put in the 2003's, you should be able to pull it apart. And it's common for them to leak. I'm dealing with that myself right now. Glad I got 9 years out of this one actually.

To take it apart, there should be an end cap on the end where the copper tubing comes out. Once you get the end cap off, there is a chrome retaining bracket that holds the core inside the gray box.

[BlastRlxi]

Unless something's changed since the Heatercraft units they put in the 2003's, you should be able to pull it apart. And it's common for them to leak. I'm dealing with that myself right now. Glad I got 9 years out of this one actually.

To take it apart, there should be an end cap on the end where the copper tubing comes out. Once you get the end cap off, there is a chrome retaining bracket that holds the core inside the gray box.

Yep. It will still take a fair amount of muscle to get it out. I replaced mine this year and it was in there pretty good.

[obski]

I had been noticing it was wet by the drivers foot wall, but not a huge amount. I decided that it must be the heater core so I pulled the boat out and pulled everything apart to get to the heater. I got it out, but found out that it was all good, so put everything back together. What a pain. Took the boat out last night and didn't notice any water on the floor. The only other place I can think it could have been coming from would be either the bow ballast or perhaps the hose connection to the heater had a leak and I now fixed that. I didn't find that taking the heater apart was difficult. The only difficult part was the poor access to the area. I think you need to be a contortionist to work on these boats.

[BlastRlxi]

I had been noticing it was wet by the drivers foot wall, but not a huge amount. I decided that it must be the heater core so I pulled the boat out and pulled everything apart to get to the heater. I got it out, but found out that it was all good, so put everything back together. What a pain. Took the boat out last night and didn't notice any water on the floor. The only other place I can think it could have been coming from would be either the bow ballast or perhaps the hose connection to the heater had a leak and I now fixed that. I didn't find that taking the heater apart was difficult. The only difficult part was the poor access to the area. I think you need to be a contortionist to work on these boats.

I hear you. The worst part was squeezing allt he way under there and then realizing I left the screwdriver out of reach.

[UWSkier]

Getting to the far-right screws was the hardest as I had to pull those blind. REALLY looking forward to trying to find those holes again when I reassemble in a few weeks. But the worst part was pulling out the footrest. There were a bunch of screws I couldn't find to get it out. Toying with re-mounting the heater, sub, and modifying the footrest in some way or leaving it out altogether.

BTW, $113 for a new core from Heatercraft. Should be on its way soon.

Edited July 28, 2010 by UWSkier

[cjespinoza]

Getting to the far-right screws was the hardest as I had to pull those blind. REALLY looking forward to trying to find those holes again when I reassemble in a few weeks. But the worst part was pulling out the footrest. There were a bunch of screws I couldn't find to get it out. Toying with re-mounting the heater, sub, and modifying the footrest in some way or leaving it out altogether.

BTW, $113 for a new core from Heatercraft. Should be on its way soon.

You mean you actually got the footrest out. I just took it all out with the footrest in place since I couldn't see how it could come out. But I did manage!

[Coach Mike]

Mine came apart just fine but I fully agree that putting it all back was a real trick between the small screws blindfold while standing on my head

BTW, it is cheaper through go2marine and some folks have found it priced better still if you can match the product number up at Napa.

[CrystalSurf]

I, too, have a leaky heater. I would like to bypass it until I get a new core...however, is it just me or are the hoses on exceptionally tight? I'm nervous to pull too hard for fear of doing damage. Also, are these 5/8" inside diameter hoses?

[JPSkier]

I, too, have a leaky heater. I would like to bypass it until I get a new core...however, is it just me or are the hoses on exceptionally tight? I'm nervous to pull too hard for fear of doing damage. Also, are these 5/8" inside diameter hoses?

I just bypassed mine. Hoses were VERY tight. Broke the copper pipes off the core trying to get the hoses off, then used a screwdriver to get them out. Doesn't matter because the core is no good anyway. I think the hoses are 3/4. Got a coupling in the plumbing section of Lowe's and I'm good to go.

[BlastRlxi]

I just bypassed mine. Hoses were VERY tight. Broke the copper pipes off the core trying to get the hoses off, then used a screwdriver to get them out. Doesn't matter because the core is no good anyway. I think the hoses are 3/4. Got a coupling in the plumbing section of Lowe's and I'm good to go.

They are very tight. I just cut them off with a knife right behind the fittings on the heater. There was enough extra hose to reattach them to the new heater. Just don't cut any more than necessary.

[99response]

Use a pick to get under the hoses and break the friction between the hose and tube. Then they should come right off.

-Chris

[Coach Mike]

Often better to try and twist if the hoses are not too brittle and cracking as that will break the grip to the tubing. Cutting a little off shouldn't be much of a problem but cut as little as possible.

[CrystalSurf]

Thanks for the tips...will try next week when I'm back at the boat.