Old Floor Heater Help!

[HotDonnaTheBus]

Can anyone give me tips on how to get rid of the old floor heater so I can get up my old floors? The wiring is making me a bit nervous, otherwise I'd just rip it out

[o1marc]

That looks different than mine, but the wires should just unplug from somewhere near the unit. Are there coolant hose that need to be removed and looped back to the front? Once the hoses are disconnected and the wires unplugged, remove the bolts holding to the floor and toss the heater. The wires will trace back to the switch and can be removed or repurposed for another electric item.

[ThisBusPlusUs]

Having just taken out my heater, I can confidentally say the wires are the easy bit. Cut them, and trace them back to your electrical box to remove.
The coolant lines are more difficult, if fitted.

[mikeypj]

What did you use to loop it back into itself? Im considering just using a piece of the same line and hose clamps.

[2martins]

Originally Posted by mikeypj

What did you use to loop it back into itself? Im considering just using a piece of the same line and hose clamps.

There is a U shaped hose that goes OVER the hoses on mine where it was shortened held on with regular stainless steel hose clamps. I need to hook mine back up now! Guess I need to buy more coolant first and I am worried about bubbles. Seems like that can be an issue. I am not the original owner so I didn't do the hose removal. Have you seen any good YouTube videos on how to?

[mikeypj]

Originally Posted by 2martins

There is a U shaped hose that goes OVER the hoses on mine where it was shortened held on with regular stainless steel hose clamps. I need to hook mine back up now! Guess I need to buy more coolant first and I am worried about bubbles. Seems like that can be an issue. I am not the original owner so I didn't do the hose removal. Have you seen any good YouTube videos on how to?

Bubbles? I figured it was like a car, start it with the cap off. Guess i need to do more research. I havent run across anything besides before and after pics.

[mikeypj]

Originally Posted by mikeypj

Bubbles? I figured it was like a car, start it with the cap off. Guess i need to do more research. I havent run across anything besides before and after pics.

Ok, i talked to my nephew/diesel mechanic. He said bubbles can happen but..leave radiator cap off and start it..basically burp it. Lots of youtube videos about it..good luck!

[ThisBusPlusUs]

A mechanic friend helped with mine.

We followed the pipes from the heater inside the bus to a fitting underneath, right below the drivers seat. The pipes were connected to a narrower piece of pipe which came from the engine. It was connected with screw tightened clamp rings.

We disconnected the clamp rings and cut a clean piece of the existing pipe to loop it back round (shortening the run from 50ft inside the bus to 8 inches sitting beneath the bus). It was actually much easier than I had anticipated.

Lost about 8 gallons of fluid in the process, so have plenty of clean buckets ready. We collected the fluid, filtered it and put back in.

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by mikeypj

What did you use to loop it back into itself? Im considering just using a piece of the same line and hose clamps.

Be careful your loop doesn't kink if it's just the same hose. I made a small "U" from 1" PVC and reused the hose clamps off the heater as they are a high quality clamp.

[PNW_Steve]

Originally Posted by o1marc

Be careful your loop doesn't kink if it's just the same hose. I made a small "U" from 1" PVC and reused the hose clamps off the heater as they are a high quality clamp.

I did something similar but with galvanized steel pipe as PVC is not intended for use where temperatures can exceed 140F.

Coolant temps in my bus regularly exceed 180F.

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by PNW_Steve

I did something similar but with galvanized steel pipe as PVC is not intended for use where temperatures can exceed 140F.

Coolant temps in my bus regularly exceed 180F.

Good catch. The PVC in mine is temporary while building just so I can move it if need be. I won't recommend it as a permanent fix. I have ordered one of these from Jegs to replace it with.

https://www.jegs.com/i/Patriot-Exhau...yABEgI5APD_BwE

[mikeypj]

I used steel pipe and made a "U". Worked like a charm..now 2 more heater pulls..only 1 is a permanent pull.

[arod79sae]

Mine were removable from the heater and I disconnected them . Then I cut the coolant hoses off near the driver seat . Went to the local auto supply store and bought some gates 90 deg 1 in fittings and created a quick little U to loop them into each other . Good luck . There most like will be a coolant mess .