How to prevent xantia matrix failures?

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simoncanfer
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How to prevent xantia matrix failures?

Post by simoncanfer »

Having spent a "fun" weekend replacing my heater matrix (1999 Xantia HDi) I'm in no mood to ever do it again!

So what's the collective wisdom on why these fail and how to prevent it?

I have not yet investigated why my particular one failed...

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Post by red_dwarfers »

As far as I know, the only thing you can do is make sure the coolant changes are done on or before schedule.
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Re: How to prevent xantia matrix failures?

Post by DickieG »

simoncanfer wrote:I have not yet investigated why my particular one failed...
It will almost certainly have failed at the join between the plastic top and the aluminum matrix.
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Post by Brigsygtt »

My old ax diesel heater matrix failed exactly the same, at the joint where the plastic meets the core. Condition wise it looked as new when i removed it! I had changed the coolant regularly in that aswell, I guess its an age related thing.
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Post by ACTIVE8 »

In the past when they were not buried in the dash, E.G. Cortina MK3, and were more easy to get to, and replace was the failure rate as bad, as it is now with the buried design?
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simoncanfer
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Post by simoncanfer »

Another question - Are other makes as prone to matrix failures? Valeo probably supply most European manufacturers, I'd expect.

Could it be something to do with the cooling system design perhaps? Maybe if the flow to the matrix were reduced it might help...?
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Post by citronut »

i belive matrix faliure is quite offten due to the cooling system over heatting, probably down to the rad fans not cutting in when required,

the matrix core ends cant stand the extra presure

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Post by simoncanfer »

Interesting, I'd better check my fans then!

thanks
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Post by Peter.N. »

A leaking head gasket will pressurise the system and put extra stress on it. A high concentrate of coolant certainly helps preserve head gaskets, don't know about matrices though.
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Post by lexi »

Range Rover has Valeo Matrix and they fail like our Cits. They are a huge job to do . Someone was telling me of a shortcut with RR whereby a bit of the dash which is not seen can be cut out for accsess and then refitted. It makes it a whole lot simpler.
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Post by marsalek »

A bit OT here: it seems than not only heater matrices are prone to failures, but also the intercooler matrix of my 2000 Xantia Mk2 HDi 109 HP. It also leaks at the join between the plastic side and the aluminium matrix :-(

But it is probably much less work...

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Post by Clogzz »

was the failure rate as bad
No, it wasn’t … never heard of that in the past.
The heater core used to be all metal, and never was a cause of leaks.
The Xantia also has the hot water flowing through it all the time, while the older systems had taps like on the BX, where the hot water only flows when the heater is used for heating.
A buried matrix with plastic top is just cost cutting, incompetence, voodoo engineering, or deliberate mischief, if they’re capable of thinking that far. :evil:

My inlet tube leaked and the matrix got bypassed, but that’s only feasible because I’m in an area where you can live without heating if you don’t drive at night in winter.

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