Heater Matrix I think?

[Chimp]

Hi All

I have had the 1996 Mav 2.7 TD LWB since non AC since March last year and only use it for towing my boat so limited use. I had it serviced recently and used the advice on here about the banjo filter etc and it's running really well now.

Also fixed the Wiper staying on too by cleaning the relay connections (again thanks to peeps on here). :clap

It is sat up most of the time therefore getting soaked at the moment as you imagine but I have started using it a bit more in recent weeks to keep the main motor's mileage down. I noticed the Windows are steaming up and assumed it's just damp inside as it's not used but I have been running it all week and things seemed to be a lot better so I thought all fixed.

Today though, after about 10 mins drive the windows all of a sudden steamed up almost immediately and a strong smell of hot water/antifreeze. I think I had it on hot air.

Once at work and leaving it for the day I came back to it and there was a reddish water in the passenger footwell...I think matrix or a leak. I tried some Bar weld on the way home but I noticed alot of "sloshing" coming from under the dash.

When at home I moved a lever on the side that I think changed from feet to windscreen etc and water gushed out! :nenau

So would a fauly Matrix rad cause this or could it be a leak from under the wipers that leaked in with all this rain do you think?

I have read up on talking the Matrix out and bit daunted by the operation as I am not a mechanic type person but have a logic IT mind to put it back together I hope....

What are your thoughts? Matrix, leak something else?

Also I noticed that the temp gauge is only going to 1/4 over cold and I read here that it should be around or just over halfway? Another problem to fix?

 

[solarman216]

yes heater marix leak mate, there is another thread running now and I put a pic um this morning, oh and welcome by the way, Rick

 

[AlexD333]

Welcome

I would have guessed the engine was running too cool? poss to much coolant? Someone with mechanical knowledge will be along to correct me shortly I'm sure. Once you become a premium member you will have access to a vast amount of knowledge available in the downloads section :

Hopefully it gets sorted soon

 

[solarman216]

Welcome

I would have guessed the engine was running too cool? poss to much coolant? Someone with mechanical knowledge will be along to correct me shortly I'm sure. Once you become a premium member you will have access to a vast amount of knowledge available in the downloads section :

Hopefully it gets sorted soon

A? Rick

 

[Chimp]

Well Spent some time over the weekend trying to establish the problem as it actually stopped raining! But bloody cold!

It seems if I run the engine with the heater on hot then I get bubbling coming from the bottom of the heater box and thus leaking into the footwells, mainly the passenger.

So it would seem that the Matrix is the problem :doh I tried taking some of the dash out under the steering wheel and managed to slightly break the electric mirrors switch but will try and working out how the put back together later... the Choke cable seemed really hard to take off and gave up for now...too cold.

I have tried BARS rad leak with no success and have some k-seal on order but it did "p155" out of the bottom so seems prety bad.

So if I order a new matrix and seal, do I just take the dash off and clean out the heater box (from water and crud) and put the new matrix in and re-assemble?

I might not be able to do this until the weather stays for a while so if was to loop the pipes going through the bulkhead I understand then I wouldn't get leakage in to matrix.

How does one "loop" them off any suggestions on where to get the pipe and size etc?

 

[kickboxer]

I am having much the same problems Chimp, I took all the dash out the other weekend and but still cannot find my leak.
So this weekend I am going to blank off the pipes to the heater matrix, I bought a silcon U pipe to do this, there are plenty on ebay, I got 19mm size which is right for my terrano. This will stop the coolant going into the matrix and for me will help to establish if im loosing water from the engine side of the matrix side.

 

[TONUP]

Welcome to the club, and sorry to hear about your problems.

I think accessing the matrix is a but of a big job, however someone on the site has got a video on YouTube of how to do it.

I cant seem to find it though, but I think that is just not using the correct search term.

Regards

Alan

 

[TONUP]

Found this...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o82tm9Ungmg

Not exactly what your looking for, but it might give you an idea of what your looking at.

Regards

Alan

 

[panelbeater]

no heater,coming up to our cold part.freeez.
i had a matrix on a previous car go in winter,looped the pipes and had to suffer the screens constant misting.i got a plug in little heater,about £12 but not affective enough.
coating the inside of the screen with an anti mist helped though.

 

[TONUP]

And this...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcOdJvl9cBE

Good old Ryan and his Terrano butchery department I knew it be useful.

Regards

Alan

 

[Chimp]

Ah thanks all I will check the links out and work a solution for now. It's only used mainly in the summer for towing a boat but wanted to keep it running during the winter to make sure battery etc is good.

 

[solarman216]

If you need a heater assembly I have one, if interested PM me for details there is a pic of it on here re another thread recently re heater leaking, Rick

 

[solarman216]

pics of heater I have

 

[solarman216]

last one, Rick

 

[Chimp]

Just out of interest has anyone taken the pipes off and looped them on each other.

I was looking to do this a temp measure but it seems the pipes wont pull off! I am trying the top one first, undone the clamp/screw and pulling but not budging at all.

It seems the choke cable is in the way which doesn't help but moved it as much as I can.

Is there another thing to release or are these things just a pain in the butt and just have to keep tugging?

 

[rustic]

I looped them on a Sierra once, under the bonnet, I used a short length of copper pipe and a couple of jubilee clips.
No hoses to cut.

They always go in the winter don't they.

Fortunately, that was a company car, dash out for that too.

 

[firebobby]

Just out of interest has anyone taken the pipes off and looped them on each other.

I was looking to do this a temp measure but it seems the pipes wont pull off! I am trying the top one first, undone the clamp/screw and pulling but not budging at all.

It seems the choke cable is in the way which doesn't help but moved it as much as I can.

Is there another thing to release or are these things just a pain in the butt and just have to keep tugging?

Try using a small pry bar or large flat head screwdriver and try to pry the pipe off the fitting, I find once they start to move, it's easier to pull off, just be careful not to break the fitting though

 

[kickboxer]

I have just looped mine to try to find the leak, did about 20 miles and not a problem with temperature.
Found out that its not my matrix leaking anymore, its something in the engine, the rad looks a bit damp so will try to see if I can confirm that now.

 

[Chimp]

Well I have a u bend type plastic piece 19mm (I believe might be correct). But just thought I would do this if it was a quick job as I have a heater matrix on the way soon.

But it's proving not to be a 30 mins job! :doh

Maybe I will just got for the more labour intensive dash removal when the matrix arrives.

Shame as the weather isn't bad on the South Coast at the moment.

I don't know of a way of releasing the pipes off what I imagine coming through the bulk head are the metal pipe leading down inside the cabin.

Soapy water LOl? K-Y?? :lol

 

[firebobby]

I don't know of a way of releasing the pipes off what I imagine coming through the bulk head are the metal pipe leading down inside the cabin.

Soapy water LOl? K-Y?? :lol

Pry bar....as above :doh