How2 - Change the heater matrix

[k1ngy]

This is a very tricky job to do, but can be completed without removing the entire dash board.

You will need-

• posy screw driver
  7mm socket
  7mm spanner
  mole grips
  wd40

Firstly you will need to disconnect the pipes going to the heater matrix, these can be found right at the back f the engine bay just underneath the steering rack making it very awkward to get to the jubilee clips.
Slacken the jubilee clips(using a spanner) until you can move them up the pipes and out of the way(i found using a spanner was easier than a ratchet as there isn't much room to work in).
The pipes will be very hard to get off and you will need to use the mole grips to break the seal on the pipes but take care not to damage them. Be prepared for some water spillage and a bit of patience is also required at this point

Then, working inside the car, you will need to remove the center console. There are 3 screws, 2 at the back of the center console and one in the front under the removable plastic cover, then uncouple the electric windows connectors and remove center console.

Next is the bottom bit of the dash board that goes around the gear stick and houses the ashtray.
Remove the gearstick gator and take the whole ashtray out, there are 2 screws behind the ashtray that need to be removed and also 2 screws in each foot well too.

Then you can remove the bottom of the dash making sure you remove the wires for the lighter first.
you will then see the heater matrix housing and the front of you car should look like this;

Now you need t undo the screws on the heater matrix housing, there are 4 7mm bolts, 2 at the front and 1 in each corner at the back.
Using the socket undo the 2 bolts at the front or the housing, for the 2 rear bolts you will need to use a spanner as there is no room to get the socket in, the bolt on the right shouldn't be that hard to undo but the one on the left is very hard to get at.
Once the bolts are undone withdraw the bottom of the housing(you should now be able to see the heater matrix).

There may be a strap holding the heater matrix n place if so remove it, now gently pull the matrix towards you and it should drop down a bit.

Be prepared for some more water spillage at this point as there will still be some in the matrix,now pull the matrix out remembering which way the matrix goes round.

Refitting is the opposite of removal remembering to make sure the new matrix is properly located before putting the housing back together.

If you have any difficulty's please feel free to pm me with your query.

[dave's.veccy]

I have no problem with your how2, id just like to add to it.

If you have an a/c model upto 93, its even easier to change the matrix, after 93 its just as easy with a few differences.

All the steps are the same upto here...

then you can remove the bottom of the dash making sure you remove the wires for the lighter first
you will then see the heater matrix housing and the front of you car should look like this

On a/c and some non a/c models they have rear floor heating which the connecting pipe is secured with one screw in the middle, remove the 2 flexible pipe sections on the bottom and pull the trunking downwards and out.

Working on the a/c model >93 (Diplomat, Gsi and prefacelift cars with aftermarket a/c with genuine heater box)

Remove 5/6 screws which hold the cover on facing you.

Next remove the 2x 8mm bolts that holds the clamp that secures the 2 pipes in place in the passenger side footwell and gently pull the pipes from the matrix.

Pull the matrix towards you and remove.

Refit in the following sequence making sure the little nuts that are placed on the pipe outlet that the 2x 8mm bolts secure to are in place.

Vehicles after 93 with a/c (CDX, Turbo and facelift cars with aftermarket a/c with genuine heater box)

These use a slightly different matrix, which the pipes are secured in with plastic clips on the n/s and the princaple of remove is the same as that without a/c except with the plastic clips and the pipework is separate from the matrix.

[k1ngy]

I have no problem with your how2, id just like to add to it.

no worries fella the more info the better