2002 lr disco 2
So I bought a new heater core to replace my leaky one. I was able to get the old out and put the new core in by removing the glove box and a few support pieces, and gently bending some plastic out of the way. In the process of reconnecting the new core I slightly bent one of the pipe ends that go into the core. I bent it back after many tries, it fit in, I bolted the clamps on and it leaks like a ****. Did I ruin the pipe end? If so... is there any way to repair the end or replace the whole pipe without removing the entire dash?! The way those pipes are bent it seems like it would be impossible just to pull one or both out and wiggle a new one in while keeping the dash intact.

thanks for any advice

 

Aas you never said were the leak was only on a pipe , Have you tried Rad seal, worth a go,

 

in my original post I detailed how I bent the pipe end that goes into the heater core. The leak is at that connection, which is why I’m asking if I have to replace the entire pipe. Using rad seal on a brand new heater core seems like a cheap temporary fix.

I’m considering some kind of heat resistant epoxy. Has anyone tried that?

 

those two heater core pipes are one of the first things to go in behind the dash when Disco assembled.....they bend easily...and unfortunately...it will probably never seal correctly again...

 

buy new pipes good luck

 

I would recommend JP weld, as it plastic metal, and on the other hand if its possible to remove the core and take it to a car radiator repair work shop and get it redone and tested

 

if you do not want to get new tubes...IIRC..about 100$? ...You could weld on some aluminum pipe extension to heater core and use a bit of hose to connect to the original pipes, but you will have to cut the tips off of them as well.... or maybe just run rubber hoses up into engine bay...or get some soft copper tube and make your own...