Heater Matrix Replacement Details

[Guest stevebm1]

hi,in an earlier post I explained that I had changed my leaking heater matrix,without removing the total dash.2 people have asked for more details,so here is a bit more info,ive tried to break it down into steps(just remember this took me 2 days though!)

 

1,firstly drain the coolant system from the bottom radiator hose.

2,if you intend to still use the car whilst you are doing this work,or plan to do it a bit at a time you need to invest in a straight washing machine pipe connector(99p from b&q or homebase),so the car can still be driven with no heaters connected.just dissconnect both engine hoses from the t connectors and patch with the straight connector behind the engine.REMEMBER TO PUT THE COOLANT BACK IN!,IF YOU PLAN TO USE THE VEHICLE LIKE THIS!.this is also a short term fix if your footwell is flooded by a leaking matrix(mine was)

3,remove both glove boxes from the dash

4,remove the radio/heater controls

5, remove the black mat from the bottom of the dash passenger side

6,remove the plastic trim(s) behind the gearstick ash tray

7,remove the fan motor wiring,and resistor (they unclip)

8,remove the fan motor

9,invest in some cable ties(they are essential for the rebuild)

10,the next part involves breaking the original plastic seals on the plastic air circulating pipes.these can then be fixed back together with cable ties in slightly different positions around each part,the hoops are already there(it's as if they knew the originals would break if you removed a part).If you are not happy to do this then you cannot follow this procedure,and will have to have a total dash out and pay a garage to do it,who will probably still break the original seals and use cable ties anyhow!

11,Break the original seals and remove the front fan motor casing,and the part to the right of it with the resistor in.You should now be able to see the heater matrix

12,remove the bottom black part of the heater casing where it touches the floor behind the gearstick(again break the seals)

13.thank god for cable ties!

14,you should now have a clearance of about 3 inches between the bottom of the heater unit base and the floor channeling vent

15,remove the pipes behind the wiper linkage under the bonnet(this is difficult especially if you have big hands!).you can remove the wiper linkage to gain better access,but i didnt I just used extra long nosed pliers to remove the left clip,then once the first hose was off.sawed off the plastic protruding pipe from the old matrix,to gain acess to the second clip,then once the pipe is off saw the plastic piece off again.

16,remove the 2 bolts in the engine compartment that hold the heater case nuts that come through from inside the car

17,once the bolts are off,use a small pair of grips to grab the nut thread and unsrew,as if it were being removed.they wont come completely out,but you will be able to feel when they have detached from the heater case

18,remove the gold bolt from the heater case located in the center of the dash behind the radio/heater controls you took out earlier

19,remove the dash supporting strut from behind the gearstick

20,remove the center airvent from the dash

 

 

PART 2 TO FOLLOW......................

 

bear with me :huh:

[Guest stevebm1]

PART 2....................

 

21,brute force!

22,it is now possible with a bit of gentle force to remove the whole black box containing the heater matrix from the car!.firstly pull it back towards the rear of the car(it won't shift very far,about 3 cm,but this is enough,then pull it down to detach from the top vents.you may hear the two nuts you losened earlier fall to the floor,now pull it left,don't worry if you damage it(it's going to be replaced anyhow!)

23,dont be afraid to manipulate the dash slightly,it will bend back into shape,if you have to bend it slightly on the metal part near the bottom glove compartment

24,here's a picture of the unit removed

[Guest stevebm1]

I MUST STRESS THIS POINT!!!!!!!!!!!!the one i got from the scrap was removed with the plastic pipes through to the engine intact,this is essential for refitting,also as a refitting tip,screw the black box bolts from the engine side only when you put it back in,it's a lot easier.put something under the box to lift into place i'e a piece of 2x4.It will go back in just be patient,and your hard work will pay off.use jubilee clips to affix the hoses to the matrix not the originals if you have not removed the wiper linkage it's easier.

[davec]

i hope to god mine never goes well done

[Guest lesmon]

WOW Man!!! Thanks for putting this post up - now I see why you needed time to write it - load of stuff in there.

Can I assume that your Gal does not have a passenger Air-Bag, nor Climate control?

I only have one pocket and an Airbag. Does anyone know how to disable this airbag (I won't want it to open while pulling the heater matrix out).

On the photo, looks like a cable attached to the black box - for C/C this will be all electronic, right? Which means a motor and some wires.

 

The question is - will I need to get a matrix of a vehicle with climate control? or will any Gal/sharan matrix work?

[Guest stevebm1]

hi,yes mine had no passenger air bag,and was a manual set of heater controls.the black things in the picture are the heater vent control cables.these are not electric wires,and they operate like a push bikes brake cable.

[Ivor_E_Tower]

Steve - well done, at least 3 gold stars for that effort and the story that goes with it :D :D :D

[Guest stevebm1]

pleased to know this may be of use to someone.sorry I didn't take any photo's during removal/reinstallation,but as I said It wasn't on my mind at the time. :D

 

I will for my next big job(whatever that is!.LOL)

[seatkid]

Well done Steve - you're a brave man. :D What model/year is your car?

 

Do you think that A/C evaporator (which sits in the section to the left of the heater matrix i.e. between the fan and heater) could come out in a similar fashion? Or do you think the heater matrix would have to come out as well?

[Guest stevebm1]

Mine is a 98 2.8 v6,but it dosent have air con.I would assume if you were not removing the big black box with the heater matrix in,it would be easy,to get out compared to what I did,as it is surely a smaller component? :D

[Guest stevebm1]

I wouldn't have thought you would have to remove the main heater matrix unit,but as mine dosen't have air con im only guessing! :D

[leannerenaud@hotmail.co.uk]

Hello 

 

please can you advise, i have got to step 11

 

          'Break the original seals and remove the front fan motor casing,and the part to the right of it with the resistor in.You should                now be able to see the heater matrix'

 

i have removed the front fan casing but can not see how to remove the part to the right? 

does any have any more details on how to do this step

Many Thanks In Advance 

[Wesley]

Does anyone know if this is the same on the MK2.

 

Thanks