ZX td heater pipes

ken newbold · Post by **ken newbold** » 15 Dec 2009, 18:00

I've been undecided whether or not to try flushing the heater matrix of my ZX just in case some kind person has used radweld in it. Last thing I need is a leaking heater this time of year.
However this cold weather has made my mind up for me, I plan to have a go at this over the weekend.
I've had a quick look at the pipes where they come up from behind the engine and then go through the bulkhead. There seems to be some kind of clip next to the bleed screw. Does anyone know if these pipes can be disconnected in one piece via this clip or are they the usual pig of a job to undo

Many thanks Ken

jonathan_dyane · Post by **jonathan_dyane** » 15 Dec 2009, 18:20

Ken, I take it you mean the bit where the pipes enter the car through th bulkhead? If so, I strongly recommend that you don't try and remove the clip, as generally it is well seized together and the plastic is rather brittle...

If the setup is as I remember, both heater pipes pass out on the bulkhead somewhere to the right of the cylinder head, and connect from metal pipes into rubber hoses. You should be able to disconnect here to flush.

Best,

citroenxm · Post by **citroenxm** » 15 Dec 2009, 18:42

Heater pipes connect as per Xantia XUD, (LOOKING AT the engine/pipes) the right pipe out goes to the right side of the CYLINDER head, at the rear, near the end, the left ones goes down to the plastic junction on the back of the block..

The clip is a catch for when you push the two pipes, all moulded as a single connection into the matrix, IF and IF you are carefull, with a WARM engine with some system pressure push the clip to one side useually towards the left pipe and LEVER VERY GENTLY behind the plastic part, and it MAY come away! I say May, as Johnathan says the plastic can be VERY brittle and break! Ive only got Xantia ones in which the pipes go directly DOWARDS then go there own direction, not sure about the ZX if they are angled or not comming out of the matrix..

I HAVE now successfully removed a few of these on xantias now, and it can be done when cold if you are EXTREAMILLY carefull...

Good luck
Paul

ken newbold · Post by **ken newbold** » 15 Dec 2009, 19:07

Thanks for these tips, I'll post a pic of the pipes tomorrow but it does sound like the ones you're describing.

ken newbold · Post by **ken newbold** » 17 Dec 2009, 19:07

Had a go at this this afternoon. I could only access one of the pipes that goes across the bulkhead, so I undid it and noted which way the water flow was. I flushed and flushed and flushed again, lots of rust and muck came out. Refiiled with new antifreeze, bled the system, ran the engine and HEY PRESTO! still the same

The pipe that feeds the matrix gets red hot, but the one coming away is not so hot, so I'll have another go but maybe have to try removing the pesky clip and plastic fitting

If I don't get any joy with it, I might have to put my old XM back on the road, although I found out today that the heater matrix on that has gone bust, Standing cars doesn't do em any good does it

citroenxm · Post by **citroenxm** » 17 Dec 2009, 19:20

Ken

Dont Fret, Matrix on XM's are an absolute doddle!!

YOU DONT HAVE TO REMOVE THE DASH

$\:D/$ $\:D/$

It will slide out from under the steering colum, with a slight shave on the Matrix Fins, but NO damage!

Paul

ken newbold · Post by **ken newbold** » 02 Jan 2010, 22:11

had another go at this today. Managed to get the clip and the pipes out without breaking anything, flushed the heater out both ways but nothing much other than clean water came out.
Put it all back together and it does get warm, but not hot. If you have the blower on pos 3 or 4 it quickly begins to blow cold.
The car has a new thermostat fitted, and the water pipes do get really hot, so what next or are all ZX heaters crap?

Not sure what else can be done, any ideas welcome.

citroenxm · Post by **citroenxm** » 02 Jan 2010, 22:18

Ken

Ive just posted a Reply, that COULD be a possibility, also a way of testing how good the head gasket is.. if the gasket is reducing the flow of water this can cause lack of heat.

Heater problem?

Have a read, buts its a DEFENATE way - in my SECOND post to what causesw a CRAP heater if the matrix is all clear.

Regards
Paul

ken newbold · Post by **ken newbold** » 02 Jan 2010, 23:39

Mmm, makes perfect sense. The water was rusty before a flushed it out a couple of weeks back.

Is it worth putting some water system cleaning agent in it?

uncle buck · Post by **uncle buck** » 03 Jan 2010, 00:21

If it is getting warm at least some water is getting through it ....try some sort of descaler in there & see what happens....maybe you could use the sort of stuff that is used in central heating systems....just make sure it s safe for use on aluminium.

It's got to be worth a try, I know I would give it a go.

Cheers.

Deanxm · Post by **Deanxm** » 03 Jan 2010, 01:01

Hi Gents

The descaler for C/H systems is a bit tame, even de sludger takes months to do anything in a C/H system, the best descaler ive seen will clean any metal back likke its new but it needs to be raised to 90c, not so hard in a cars cooling system but im not sure what it does to gasket material thats the problem, think ive got some in the works van still, and an old head gasket

Ken, Paul is spot on about the matrix in the XM, thats the way i do it too, i would say an hour's work tops, including a cup of tea, the longest part of the job is getting a wet hoover out to catch the deluge when you disconnect the heater pipes from the matrix.
Even the matrix itself isnt expensive, £30 ish i think from GSF, now there's something you dont hear every day. An easy job!!!!!

D

ken newbold · Post by **ken newbold** » 03 Jan 2010, 11:51

My biggest concern about putting anything in the cooling system would be how it will affect the matrix, if it eats through it then I'd be in a worse situation. I might wait a while until it gets warmer then give it a try.

Post by **myglaren** » 03 Jan 2010, 12:55

If you are going to use anything,I'd suggest Forte Cooling System Flush then their Cooling System Conditioner that lubricates the pump and reduces corrosion.

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 03 Jan 2010, 13:49

dont use caustick soda as that eats straight through the matrix, dont asy how i know , but it disolved the matrix tubes in a big way,

also it is hard to flush the heater matix'i out as both the in and out port are on the same end cap, so putting anything in one port comes straight back out the other

regards malcolm

Post by **myglaren** » 03 Jan 2010, 14:40

citronut wrote:dont use caustick soda as that eats straight through the matrix, dont asy how i know , but it disolved the matrix tubes in a big way,

also it is hard to flush the heater matix'i out as both the in and out port are on the same end cap*, so putting anything in one port comes straight back out the other

regards malcolm

Absolutely, for heavens sake don't use caustic near your engine, it will ruin the head in no time and eat straight through the matrix unless you happen to have a plastic one.
Put some in an old aluminium pan to see what happens. Keep the pan in a plastic bucket though.

*Isn't it designed internally so that the in port delivers water to the far end of the matrix then finds it's way back out via the heating tubes, like domestic radiators with inlet and outlet at the same end?