Hi All

Thought I would just make everyone aware about the potential problem with early cars and the heat exchanger to body plastic tube.

On removing the tube which links the heat exchanger outlet to the inlet to the car. Left and right of the gearbox. The metal collars were stuck to the heat exchanger. When i then examined the inside of the plastic tube there was a white circular piece of insulating material.

This appears at both ends of the plastic tube and also there is an insulating ring between mesh tube which holds the cotton wadding material.

It is not fibre glass and is more likely to be asbestos. Not good if disturbed and better to be safe.

I under took the following proceedure whilst wearing face mask and gloves.

1 Spray water on the heat exchanger end and body end as you very gently remove the tube whilst spraying water. Outside is best

2 Drop the tube into water as soon as you have removed it. This will keep any dust down.

3 Double bag it then take it to the council tip

4 Buy new ones.

As an alternative you can disassemble the tubes whilst still wet, double bag the white ends, collars and wadding. Thoroughly wash the mesh tube and two parts of the plastic heater tube. Get replacement rubber collars used in later cars. Use some type of non flammable wadding and rewrap the mesh tube and reassemble.

I decided to do the latter with good results but hope no nasties blew into the car.

Goodluck:unsure: