replacing a heater matrix

[tobomoto]

ive noticed a few people on here have asked a few questions about how to replace a heater matrix. ive already done mine once, and i had to reconnect the pipes again as one came off. so i decided to do a guide of how to do it.
things you will need:- a decent tool kit including spanners, sockets, and torx bits;
a flat screwdrider (or knife);
coolant and water;
hoses/ matrix, depending what you want to change;
somone to help (but not necessary);
lots of patence.
allow a few hours as things will probably go wrong. also i didnt need to remove the steering wheel as ive already fitted a sparco one. ive done the guide in 2 stages so a mate can do 1 part at the same time.
Interior
ok here goes;-
firstly disconnect the battery and wait for the airbag to lose its charge, about 45 mins should be fine. then take your head unit out. pry off the 2 blank plugs on the centre console and undo the 2 torx screws. there are 2 more to undo a bit further down. http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa70/tobomoto/IMG_0257.jpg http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa70/tobomoto/IMG_0258.jpg http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa70/tobomoto/IMG_0259.jpg http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa70/tobomoto/IMG_0260.jpg
pull the heater control knobs off and it should look like this http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa70/tobomoto/IMG_0261.jpg unclip the controls http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa70/tobomoto/IMG_0262.jpg and unscrew the 2 torx screws on the heater controls. http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa70/tobomoto/IMG_0263.jpg there is a torx screw underneath, just in front of the gearstick console. this is possibly the worst screw to get to. http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa70/tobomoto/IMG_0264.jpg

next thing is to take the steering wheel off. ive got this wheel so it was a bit quicker for me. http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa70/tobomoto/IMG_0265.jpg next thing is to undo the steering column surrounds. they are held on with 2 torx screws. then after that undo the boss. it is held on with a big torx screw. http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa70/tobomoto/IMG_0267.jpg should look like this http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa70/tobomoto/IMG_0268.jpg next undo the 4 torx screws on the control boxes. http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa70/tobomoto/IMG_0269.jpg http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa70/tobomoto/IMG_0271.jpg undo the 3 screws and slide the controls out a bit. the ring should lift out. http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa70/tobomoto/IMG_0272.jpg undo the next 3 screws and the housing should come off. http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa70/tobomoto/IMG_0273.jpg should look somthing like this. http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa70/tobomoto/IMG_0274.jpg there is 4 screws holding the clock surround in. the top 2 are small torx bits. http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa70/tobomoto/IMG_0275.jpg http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa70/tobomoto/IMG_0276.jpg http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa70/tobomoto/IMG_0277.jpg http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa70/tobomoto/IMG_0278.jpg next are the clocks. there are 3 screws holding it in. http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa70/tobomoto/IMG_0280.jpg http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa70/tobomoto/IMG_0281.jpg http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa70/tobomoto/IMG_0282.jpg unclip the 2 plugs on the clocks by pushing the bar across http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa70/tobomoto/IMG_0284.jpg next is 2 bolts at the side of the car, under the dash http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa70/tobomoto/IMG_0286.jpg http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa70/tobomoto/IMG_0287.jpg pry the light position switch out with a screwdriver or knife and unplug it. http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa70/tobomoto/IMG_0290.jpg

under bonnet
pop the bonnet and undo the nuts on the window wipers http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa70/tobomoto/IMG_0291.jpg to get them out i closed the bonnet (not right down)bent the wiper arm and lift them off. then open the bonnet again. undo the 3 nuts, 1 on each end of the panel and 1 in the middle http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa70/tobomoto/IMG_0295.jpg slide/lift the piece of plastic out of the way. be careful as it feels flimsy and brittle. next undo the 3 nuts and remove the wiper motor cover http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa70/tobomoto/IMG_0296.jpg http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa70/tobomoto/IMG_0297.jpg http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa70/tobomoto/IMG_0298.jpg http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa70/tobomoto/IMG_0299.jpg undo the 2 screws http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa70/tobomoto/IMG_0301.jpg http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa70/tobomoto/IMG_0302.jpg] [IMG]http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa70/tobomoto/IMG_0305.jpg http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa70/tobomoto/IMG_0306.jpg at some time you need to undo the hoses off the engine. just dont do it while the engine has been running recently! unfortunately i didnt take any pics as i didnt need to undo them

back inside
lift the dash up and pull it towards you. it is a pig to do but after a bit of jiggery pokery it should come out. be careful when removing it as the connectors can get stuck. it should look somthing like this http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa70/tobomoto/IMG_0307.jpg theres a screw underneath the heater box and another one in the engine bay http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa70/tobomoto/IMG_0309.jpg take the 2 heater venter vents out and remove the heater box. it does take a bit of effort. you should be able to see this. http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa70/tobomoto/IMG_0310.jpg pull the hoses through, unclip them and undo the screws holding the housing in place. be careful as there will still be coolant in the hoses and matrix.

replace everything and then refill the system and bleed it through. hope this helps.

[MAS]

awesome guide mate i replaced mine ages ago was a pain in the arse but this should be a sticky mate pm a mod and u can have a pm too !

[Krys_23]

Bumping this as its going to be useful for me on saturday ;)

[squeaky]

yh good guide m8 bored of doing them now though had to do loads

[Stevo_]

alright guys, ive replaced my heater matrix, got tha dash back on and now the heaters arnt blowing any air? the cars not overheating or leaking any more but the fans arnt blowing any air through at all, you recon its not slotted on at the top or sumwere?

[MAS]

alright guys, ive replaced my heater matrix, got tha dash back on and now the heaters arnt blowing any air? the cars not overheating or leaking any more but the fans arnt blowing any air through at all, you recon its not slotted on at the top or sumwere?

Must be the blower Fan and motor mate.

Mas

[nabassu]

A little advice.
Buy a Citroen AX later model heater matrix, and you could PROBABLY avoid removing dashboard.
The matrix is identical, but the pipes are aluminium, and are separate form the core.
I've done the replace in 30 minutes on LHD car.
Butcher the old plastic matrix, and replace with new.
Again, i have an LHD saxo without airbag (so i could remove the glovebox to see and fell better)
It somehow you will not be able to do it easy way on RHD car, you can always remove the dash, but worth trying i think.

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NDgwWDY0MA==/$(KGrHqMOKi8E55LIEod+BOjEO)uDC!~~60_35.JPG

[BUMMERS]

So if the matrix is identical how are you supposed to remove the old one and replace with the new one without removing the dash?

[stevo67]

So if the matrix is identical how are you supposed to remove the old one and replace with the new one without removing the dash?

My thought's exactly.:drink:

[Manu]

Didn't click on the thread yet that I was thinking dash out. Now the Polish dude is right, but it works only on LHD cars (and you have to butcher your way out of it). The sort of spacing problem we get over here such as being unable to fit the air conditioning.

[Ross]

Good info Nabassu, and nice verify Manu :)

[Synister]

Anyone know a quicker way to replace the heater motor apart from pulling the dash? Or at least any little tips?
I'm convinced with enough brute force and ignorance I can push it through and into the drivers footwell from the scuttle but I'm afraid getting the new one back in may be the issue.

[Ross]

removing the dash really isn't a big deal. Looks scary, takes about an extra 20 minutes to remove, and 15 to refit.

[Synister]

If you've done it before, aye. I'll probably make a complete hash of it, from what I remember there's a nut/bolt behind the inlet on the S1 Rallye's so I'd have to remove that and all the gubbins too.

[BUMMERS]

is it worth fitting that ax heater matrix that was suggested?

[nabassu]

Just buy AX version and try. i don't know, lower the steering column (on RHD)? only 2 bolts i think.
The matrix is the same size BUT(!!!) it has removable pipes.
If you can't do it without the dash removal (on RHD), just do the usual removeing proces from this manual.
Haw to remove old one? I've hacked mine with a electric saw. first ripped the pipes, than the matrix.
The pipes are attached to the matrix with a plate pressing on them, and with 2 screws.
The near screw is easy, but the rear is a pain in the ass. The 1/4 inch twisty extension for 1/4 inch phillips will come in handy. no way to tight the screw with classic phillips screwdriver.
30 minutes total, even with ass pain :)

[nabassu]

Price will be the same i think. they both fit. you aren't risking anything.
Remember to buy AX matrix from later model. Valeo i think.

[BUMMERS]

I might very well attempt your method in the near future, i'll be sure to do a post on how it goes!

[mhtsos]

A little advice.
Buy a Citroen AX later model heater matrix, and you could PROBABLY avoid removing dashboard.
The matrix is identical, but the pipes are aluminium, and are separate form the core.
I've done the replace in 30 minutes on LHD car.
Butcher the old plastic matrix, and replace with new.
Again, i have an LHD saxo without airbag (so i could remove the glovebox to see and fell better)
It somehow you will not be able to do it easy way on RHD car, you can always remove the dash, but worth trying i think.

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NDgwWDY0MA==/$(KGrHqMOKi8E55LIEod+BOjEO)uDC!~~60_35.JPG

how did you replace it as there is the a/c evaporator that in the rifght and doesnt give space to remove the matrix can u help?

[nabassu]

A/c?! In a rally car?!

[mhtsos]

its about a citreon saxo vts 1.6 with a/c .the evaporator of the a/c is 2 cm by th heater matrix so is it possible to remove it ?