Heater Matrix Inlets/bulkhead

[m_attt 31 1 Cars]

The metal pipe on the bulkhead that goes to the heater matrix has been squashed looks like a jubilee clip has been done up too tight, now its letting small amounts of air in so the car needs bleeding once a week. If i undo the two bolts on the oval metal around them will just they come out or do they go through to the matrix. Asking 1st so i dont have to take it apart twice and waste coolant.

 

regards

[farmer 328 1 Cars]

I think they are just a threaded insert on the car so once undone the ring comes off.

 

If you need a new ring and rubber seal i have some coming to me soon i hope.

Edited April 23, 2013 by farmer

[m_attt 31 1 Cars]

will undoing take the two inlets off, or are they part of the heater matrix? as its the top pipe thats crushed so doesnt make a decent seal to the rubber pipe.

[farmer 328 1 Cars]

Undo the nuts takes the ring off. The water pipe pops on to the heater matrix pipes.

 

So yes the pipes are attached to the matrix.

[m_attt 31 1 Cars]

thats what i guessed, was hoping it would be a bulkhead fitting of some sort. will see if i can heat it somehow and push it out from the inside, before taking the dash apart to replace the pipes.

 

cheers

[farmer 328 1 Cars]

You don't have to take dash of to get pipes in and out.

 

The pipes are just a soft metal so will bend very easily.

[farmer 328 1 Cars]

If your heater matrix is orginal, maybe best to get a new one some come supplied with pipes i got a genuine Pug unit for around £35 quid but they do retail at £70 odd.

 

Waiting to see if the pipes come with it was told by the foreign dealer it was complete.

[m_attt 31 1 Cars]

thanks for that , will have a proper look tomorrow.

[farmer 328 1 Cars]

Should be an easy fix if the pipe hasn't split.

[Slo 283 1 Cars]

Dont waste your time replacing 1 pipe chances are if one is rotted through at the bulkhead the whole matrix will be rotting inside out and it will only be a matter of time before it wee's on your stereo and pops it, i speak from experience. You can remove the matrix without taking the dash out just need to remove the panel under the steering wheel and expect to lose some water so have something ready to collect it. If you are going to replace it all it will be quicker to bend the pipes out of the bulkhead or cut them with a small hacksaw to aid removal as the bracket that holds the pipes into the matrix is a royal pain in the arse it will be a lot easier if you remove the bulkhead bracket too as it kind of clamps the pipes as you tighten up the nuts i had to take my seat out and lie on my back which is very uncomfortable and its ten times worse putting the new ones in very fiddly. Overall job is quite simple though

[m_attt 31 1 Cars]

the pipe is not rotten, the pipe has been squashed from the rubber hose clamp being over tightened and has made two dents in the pipe so it doesnt seal against the coolant hose properly so lets tiny amounts of air in.

[Alan77 78 1 Cars]

For the sake of £12.60 delivered from carparts4less, you might as well change out the whole heater matrix. Chances are it will be on it's last legs, rotten or clogged up.

As mentioned above, it's not too much of a job, just remove the panel by the drivers left knee to gain access.

[farmer 328 1 Cars]

The car parts for less one i put in is s*it !

 

No pipes supplied either.

 

The O.E Pug one is far superior.

[Slo 283 1 Cars]

how can a water pipe let air in? I would have thought that it would piss all the water out rather which would be a serious problem at the bulkhead as it would possibly fill up the footwells

[chipstick 382 1 Cars]

The car parts for less one i put in is s*it !

 

No pipes supplied either.

 

The O.E Pug one is far superior.

I bought a car parts 4 less one. It came with pipes - although I chose to use my originals as although 23 years old they looked more fit for purpose than the new ones :lol

[farmer 328 1 Cars]

For the money you can't complain.

 

But you get what you pay for.

 

I bought some indicators from car parts. Now I have genuine on the car the difference is night and day.

[chipstick 382 1 Cars]

Yeah, mine leaked after doing my conversion and I thought I'd give it a go. No complaints - although my fans only work on one speed so I can't comment on the heat transfer

[farmer 328 1 Cars]

Lol ! I will take a photo of the two units beside each other and you can make a judgement call.

[m_attt 31 1 Cars]

how can a water pipe let air in? I would have thought that it would piss all the water out rather which would be a serious problem at the bulkhead as it would possibly fill up the footwells

 

were the rubber hose push's over the metal matrix pipe, because of the dents its not sealing 100%. when turn the car off when its hot it gurgles from there, if you wiggle the pipe it hisses and dribbles water out. after a week the car gets hot from an airlock and needs bleeding again. then its fine for few days.

[m_attt 31 1 Cars]

sorted now, thanks for the help. Pipe was easy to remove and straighten.

 

pics, to show the problem

 

 

Untitled by mattt4985, on Flickr

Untitled by mattt4985, on Flickr

Untitled by mattt4985, on Flickr

then i heated it up, found a 8mm deep socket was the perfect size, so tapped it down the pipe to reshape it, then cleaned it up and put it back.works great

Untitled by mattt4985, on Flickr

Untitled by mattt4985, on Flickr

Untitled by mattt4985, on Flickr