Heater matrix removal

[Thom]

Hello Peeps,

Finally got round to investigating a coolant loss and found damp carpets in the driver's side footwell. Can any of you wise old sages advise if the heater matrix can be removed on it's own, or is this a whole-heater-unit-out job? It certainly looks like it will be, but the ROM doesn't exactly make it clear. On the one hand I don't want to make this more difficult than it has to be, but alternatively, I could just pull the whole thing out and do a 'Drew' on it .

Many thanks in advance,

Thom.

[len]

hi
pretty sure its a complete heater unit out job !
not too bad a job on a decent day
len

[NickA]

It's the dashboard out followed by the whole heater unit. I had to do mine when I pulled the inlet pipe off the heater trying to free the sticking heater valve. I guess the heater was the first thing installed by the factory into an empty shell . As Len says it's not that bad just a lot of stuff to unbolt/unplug.

[Princejohny]

The damp carpet could be caused by loads of leaks, Thom. Do they smell of antifreeze and can you see a rusty trail or actual evidence on the heater box?
Cheers Johny

[Thom]

The damp carpet could be caused by loads of leaks, Thom. Do they smell of antifreeze and can you see a rusty trail or actual evidence on the heater box?
Cheers Johny

Did the 'taste test' Johny . Damp carpet tastes sweet, so defo coolant without a doubt .

Thom

[StagnJag]

Yep, it is a heater out job.

Not technically difficult to remove, but lots of bits to take off!

Tip1: - loosely screw all screws and bolts back into the positions they came from, that way you are not faced with a anonymous jar full of bits and bobs to sort through when you have to put it back together again!

Tip 2: - No need to unplug all the wires from the back of the dash dials, there are three multiplugs under the speaker grill so the dials and loom can all come out together.

Rgds

Dave

[jleyton]

Are you sure it's not just the heater valve leaking Thom ? The other RCV did that a few weeks ago but it's ok now

Cheers

Julian

[Thom]

Are you sure it's not just the heater valve leaking Thom ? The other RCV did that a few weeks ago but it's ok now

Cheers

Julian

Would that be the brass looking thingy in this picture Julian?

http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/ImagePopUp.aspx?i=910758MATRIX

Thom

[jleyton]

That's it Thom and it's a lot easier to fix, if it's leaking, than taking out the whole matrix.

Here's a couple of piccies - Drew's I think - to give you some idea of what it's like in place.

There's been lots of advice on here about the valve - just do a search for 'heater valve' and I'm sure you'll find everything you need to know. If it is the valve leaking, that can be fixed in an hour or so

Cheers

Julian

Ps Although his is left hand drive, the heater unit is the same it's just that, on ours, the pedals get in the way a little bit !

DSC_5938s.jpgIMG_3108 (Custom).JPG

[Thom]

Many thanks for all the replies and tips gents. Julian, it was indeed the heater control valve. Ordered a new seal and screw, hopefully should be up and running again by the weekend. Resisted the temptation to order a nice shiny new valve as they don't fit too well apparently. Old one cleaned up perfectly well.

Many thanks once again gents,

Thom.