Can you fit heat exchangers without taking the engine out?

[Baldrick]

Hi all

I'm getting exhaust fumes in the cab and wondered if it is likely that the heat exchangers are leaking? I'm not particularly technical but could I fit new ones (easily!!) without removing the engine?

 

[Blake7even]

Short answer, yes. I wouldn't remove the engine for this job.

 

[Mark Space-Ratio]

Are you sure it is exhaust fumes? If it is smoking it could be oil from the rocker covers dripping onto the topside of the exchanger. I had a problem with this after I had fitted aftermarket alloy rocker covers. I took one of the exchangers off thinking it was failing (engine mounted) and saw that oil had penetrated the topside seam. Burned it off by driving several local hills with the windows open. Refitted the old covers...no leaks, no smoke.
I have copyrighted the idea of drip feeding fragrant incense onto the inside of the exchanger, and will be marketing the unit under the name "Max Schmelling"
¬¬¬

 

[Baldrick]

Thanks for the comments. I have fixed the dripping rocker covers so I don't think it will be that. But there are definitely fumes coming in from somewhere. Occassionally I get a petrol smell as well. It is more apparent in the front rather than the rear.

If a non-techy can change the heat exchangers it just seemed an option to try.

 

[BJ1]

Unless they are seriously rotten it's highly unlikely that the exchangers are leaking exhaust into the heating system. More likely that they are drenched in oil which will eventually burn off. If you are getting petrol fumes then track down the leak NOW. It could be perished breather pipes behind the spare wheel well or fuel lines. Either way it's a fire risk.

 

[Bwuttonmoon]

Hi, my old beetle had this problem, fumes smelling inside the car...the heat exchangers had pin holes corroded on the inside. I replaced them and the smell went away completely.

 

[Jimbly]

Same as ButtonMoon, when I picked my Bay up, I could be cold or warm but choking... new HXs cured the problem - it had been standing for a couple of years.

If you're going to try it, I'd recommend removing the valence so you can get to the join between the manifold and HX from above and below. But it'll probably be pretty fiddly, as certainly the clamps on mine are right above the engine support bar and space is tight. But definitely doable.