Heater matrix removal

Demetris

Demetris

Well-Known Member
I have the impression that i have read somewhere here that someone (Dave?) managed to remove the heater matrix with the heater box still in the car.

Since my matrix decided to start leaking a couple of weeks after i had already refitted the heater box into the car :evil: i am not exactly willing to take the heater box out again.
So, is it possible? Any advice?

Thanks in advance,

Demetris
 
Hi Demetris.

It is possible but its a fiddly pig of a job!!!
You just have to be patient and methodical,find all the screws,even the hidden ones!
I was going to remove the whole unit as one and do it in my garage,but as I was told it was possible I went for it!
I did have to bend a few bits of the box to extract the matrix,but they all bent back again and I repainted where needed!!
If you dont need to use the car daily like me,then as you have had the box out and in before,it would probably be quicker for you to remove it and do it off the car!!
Join the 2 heater hoses together pro-tem if you need to use the car!
I had a spare matrix saved from a car I scrapped as the main box was rotten. I pressure tested it with the airline,and found a few pinprick leaks,so I fixed them with a blowlamp and more solder,then retested.
When I got the old one out,I re-soldered that one as well so now I have another spare!!

Dave
 
Thanks Dave,

i understand that it is better in my case to remove the complete unit since i don't have to use the car every day. And maybe i will renew the matrix completely.
I would hate if it fails again.

cheers,

Demetris
 
I replaced mine a couple of years ago and found it quite fiddly even with the heater box removed although it was the first job I ever did on my P6. Worst part was trying to get the bolts that hold the heater box back in down behind the steering box, even so I can't say I fancy trying it with the heater box in situ though.

The most frustrating part was my new heater matrix was 5mm too long to fit back in so I had to wait another week whilst it was remade correctly. The heater works well now though.
 
If you have the existing one rebuilt,make some size measurements before handing it over,and let them know you have!!! as it is a tight fit, and if too big wont fit!
good luck!
 
Sorted!
i always thought that there aren 't any old unreliable cars, the problem is with the people that work on them. This time i was right again.
About a couple of years ago when i removed and dismantled completely the heater box to replace the foam on the flaps, i refitted the matrix cover with a set of new screws that were slightly longer than they should be. So, one of them was rubbing against the header tank of the matrix, and eventually holed it.
Otherwise the matrix was in good shape and easy repairable, thus there was no need to replace it.

I chose to remove the complete heater box for the job, as i could afford to leave the car off the road for a while and by the practice i had i managed to remove the complete assembly in less than an hour. Things would have been less frustrating if i had removed the matrix for inspection about a month ago, when i removed the heater box again to replace the blower fan. I fitted one from a Metro, same type, so it was a relatively simple bolt on job, but with a deeper impeller and larger motor, to move quite a bit more air. Now i 've got real demisting!
Oh, well, you live and learn.
 
Hi Demetris.

Excellent !
A job well done!!
I will have to remove my heater box to replace the seals and foams sometime this year,as my demist and heater blower could be better!!
It seems to blow out the pocket above the radio,suggesting there is a broken down seal or foam!!
But as its my daily driver,I will have to wait for the warmer weather to remove it!
I have got a spare p6 fan but will consider fitting the metro unit to improve things!!
Will see if I can pick one up cheap off ebay or the local scrappie!!

Dave
 
Hi Dave,

if it blows out behind the switch panel, then probably it is the sealant of the face vents on the dash to the base unit that has gone dry and cracked. Mine does that too, but not too much.

The Metro blower is very nice, but you will have to trim slightly the heater box internally, and use some spacers to bring the motor at the right place, because it just fits under the concave cover. But you don't have to do anything drastic, once you have it apart it will be obvious what to do.
If you are prepared for more serious modifications you could fit something even more powerful, but this was not my intension.

cheers,

Demetris
 
AHA!!!
Thanks for the pointer!! :)
I will have a dig around behind there asap!!
Hopefully in the warmth of the double garage if I manage to get it built before easter!! :roll:
Got the new 14' leccy roller door already!
Another ebay bargain brand new but bought wrong size for his garage!!
Lucky me for only £206!! :D
They're £800 new!! :wink:
 
I had the Bruisers heater matrix rodded while the engine was out. It's nice & toasty warm now though I wish I'd known about the Metro motor mod then. I'd have carried it out at the same time. Are all the Metro heater motors the same one?
 
The Rovering Member said:
Are all the Metro heater motors the same one?
Click to expand...

Although i cannot tell you for sure, i think that at least on the A series vehicles it was the same, fitted on a plastic heater box in the engine bay.
 
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