Problems & Fixes - heater matrix TBC!

andmcit · Unread post by **andmcit** » 13 Oct 2008, 18:13

Haha! Made you look! Ok, pre-empting myself a bit here but it needs fixing if
I intend using my black A6 TVA during the dark and miserable days ahead,
so watch this space!!

Andrew

andmcit · Unread post by **andmcit** » 13 Oct 2008, 19:59

Very good 'loopy! Like it! Does that mean yours is an 1983 one too...

I guess if I don't put a threat of doing the fix with piccies on I'll keep putting
off doing the job though a mention here will keep the pressure on!!

You don't have to wash'n wax it specifically mind!!

Andrew

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 13 Oct 2008, 20:04

superloopy1 wrote: My 'Dante Red' Activa - A16 TVA - will get a wash and then piccies posted, hopefully this weekend.

Wow! so we have A6TVA and A16TVA in the forum. Brilliant

Looking forward to the piccies!

Andrew, you know a new heater matrix will make all the difference. You'll be able to just leave the temperature slider on 22 degrees for the rest of the season now and not worry about a thing, just enjoy warm air, clear windows and that oh, so satisfying faintly oily smell that a new matrix gives to remind you of a job well done. Life, the universe and everything will seem better for getting that job done and out of the way

andmcit · Unread post by **andmcit** » 13 Oct 2008, 20:37

The one single aspect that REALLY worries me, doing a very good job of
putting me off, isn't the dash strip down or the heater box unmounting
- that's just a methodical spanner job.

No, it's the removal of the scuttle trim without ruining the screen and
successful refitment to prevent a swamp in the front footwell - been here
before and still smart thinking about how easy it was to comprehensively
crack and ruin the screen from such a minor application of pressure on
the trim...

Don't fancy a rerun!

Andrew

DickieG · Unread post by **DickieG** » 13 Oct 2008, 21:20

andmcit wrote:No, it's the removal of the scuttle trim without ruining the screen and successful refitment to prevent a swamp in the front footwell - been here before and still smart thinking about how easy it was to comprehensively crack and ruin the screen from such a minor application of pressure on the trim...

Don't fancy a rerun!

Andrew

Been there done that on what is now Jim's Activa

at least the screen was old with various small minor chips on it.

On another Activa I broke for spares the scuttle trim was so well glued down I had to use a bolster chisel on the trim to get to the wiper motor so you can imagine the state of the screen afterwards!!

Exhume.dk · Unread post by **Exhume.dk** » 26 Oct 2008, 10:37

Hello Gentlemen

Brand new to this excellent site, and owner of a Activa as well.

Needles to say, but it also had the "Matrix-issue" and i gues the main reason it was put up for sale in the 1 place.

I just jumped right in, took 2 days of from work and dug in(with my Haynes until it realized it's complete lack of info) but was to say the least, still overwhelmed by the..hmm..sheer complexity of this task.
However, since the testdrive prior to the purchase, i just couldn't leave this car alone or unattended anymore since the seller talked about selling it for parts.

Took some Pic's of the job, but not with a rocket-science degree, but mostly to fit the right part of the harness prior to dashbord reinstall.
scuttle trim without ruining the screen came across that frase...and must ask what does it mean other than its a danger point of some sort, but have not come across that issue, among so many other issues, or maybee i have, but dont understand the "situation", maybe i have overlooked it

Can anyone clarify

Have a good Sunday

Christian (Denmark)

andmcit · Unread post by **andmcit** » 26 Oct 2008, 11:37

In bitter past experience I have discovered the plastic trim that spans
the width of the car at the base of the front windscreen beneath the front
windscreen wiper arms is applied with glue/mastic that is far stronger
than the outer laminate layer of glass. Even with laborious careful paranoia
I still had a crack and an edge chip of glass break off the last one I
attempted to remove.

Unfortunately, this is required to allow access to the the dashboard
mounting through bolts in the bulkhead engine bay firewall.

As a warning I would tell anyone contemplating working in this area to
be extra vigilant with the removal of this trim as unexpected damage/cost
will be very unwelcome.

Andrew

andmcit · Unread post by **andmcit** » 26 Oct 2008, 11:42

Christian, please share with us any pictures/stories of your very fabulous
sounding manual gearbox V6 ACTIVA in the 'Readers Rides' thread in this
Activa area!

In the UK, Citroen only saw fit to sell the V6 as a 24v v6 automatic and
the Activa as a 2.0i TCT. I don't speak for the other contributors here, but
am pretty sure your car is my ideal 'ultimate wish' Xantia Activa. Pictures
of such a wonderful car would be very nice!!

Andrew

Exhume.dk · Unread post by **Exhume.dk** » 26 Oct 2008, 12:26

andmcit wrote:In bitter past experience I have discovered the plastic trim that spans
the width of the car at the base of the front windscreen beneath the front
windscreen wiper arms is applied with glue/mastic that is far stronger
than the outer laminate layer of glass.

Cheers

I see where this is going

and i did have that problem, the Bondo was unbelieveably sticky and dense. Found a scalpel like blade and cut from one end to another while useing the windscreen as a base, and vast quantities silicone grease + and all the patience in the world.

Still havent re-glued it back to original position, since the "losse trim" could prove handy, in remowing leafs and other debris, form the inlet of the fan, and also to clear the 2 rain outlets in each side.

Obviously if it makes any wind noise or looks ..tacky, i will re-glue it. So i'll have to make yet another fieldtrip in the car..what a drag

and decide on that matter.

andmcit wrote:please share with us any pictures/stories of your very fabulous
sounding manual gearbox V6 ACTIVA in the 'Readers Rides' thread in this
Activa area! .

*looking in the photo file* Yes, I'll attend to the matter right away.

andmcit wrote:In the UK, Citroen only saw fit to sell the V6 as a 24v v6 automatic and
the Activa as a 2.0i TCT.

unbelievable, truely sad. Seems like a 50/50 here, but i specific steered away from the automatic solution, its no fun basicly, and ..i'll better stop here, before i step on somebodys toes.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 26 Oct 2008, 12:33

A very warm welcome to the forum Christian

It is very important to reglue the trim otherwise rainwater will run straight into the heater intake and run under the carpet. You will not know until you lift the carpet and find about 20 litres of water soaked into the foam under the carpet

You only need to glue the part immediately above the heater intake and about 15cm each side.

Silicone RTV is fine for the job

We're all very eager to hear more of your V6 Activa! very nice

Exhume.dk · Unread post by **Exhume.dk** » 26 Oct 2008, 13:43

citrojim wrote:A very warm welcome to the forum Christian

It is very important to reglue the trim otherwise rainwater will run straight into the heater intake and run under the carpet. You will not know until you lift the carpet and find about 20 litres of water soaked into the foam under the carpet

You only need to glue the part immediately above the heater intake and about 15cm each side.

Silicone RTV is fine for the job

We're all very eager to hear more of your V6 Activa! very nice

Cheers

*Runs franticly out the door with black ducttape to close the gap* , since its been raining all day, and will continue to to so the next few days

Have completely overlooked that senario

Gonna jump on this tomorrow after hours

RTV..that engine silicone sealant, right ?..will it stick enough?.. had a plane of doing it with the windscreen sealant/adhesive, i have both on the job. Although the RTV is that lame orange color

Thanks for the warm welcome, Gents

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 26 Oct 2008, 14:24

Exhume.dk wrote: RTV..that engine silicone sealant, right ?..will it stick enough?.. had a plane of doing it with the windscreen sealant/adhesive, i have both on the job. Although the RTV is that lame orange color

Similar but not orange. That'll stand out, even on a Dante' Red Activa!!!

RTV means "Room Temperature Vulcanising" meaning it goes rubbery at room temperature.

I've used automotive quality silicone sealant that looks and smells very much like you use on your bathtub to seal it to the tiles. My local windscreen fittter has it in black but the clear (translucent) variety is just as good and easier to obtain.

It sticks well if you give the glass and trim a good clean-up with a fairly powerful solvent first. Something like carb cleaner.

I always check the seal as I've now stripped the interiors out of two Xantias in order to dry them out

I find a set of Xantia carpets spending a week drying out hanging over the stair rails in the house is not good for domestic harmony

Exhume.dk · Unread post by **Exhume.dk** » 26 Oct 2008, 15:04

@Citrojim..priceless

I find a set of Xantia carpets spending a week drying out hanging over the stair rails in the house is not good for domestic harmony!! LOL

Room Temperature Vulcanising it is

..i think that all the sudden we are fresh out of orange RTV, and i´ll resupply in the propper black

Cheers

Exhume.dk · Unread post by **Exhume.dk** » 27 Oct 2008, 16:47

Noooo...checked the carpet, wich i knew was dry, completly dry before the matrix-operation, but not anymore

Thanks for the heads up, Citrojim

Noticed that the rain will fall into the funel via the angeled spacer with the mesh on..

Oh-well, hoping the Aircon will draw the humidity out, its not soaked or anything like that, but hardly dry anymore.

Lesson learned