Fitting a xantia heater matrix

[Stekelly]

So I've done the easy bit and got myself a new heater matrix. Have to go and fit it now. Any tips? Do I just start stripping everything from the centre of the dash till I find it or what?

Cheers in advance.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2

[CitroJim]

Ste, a good search on here will pay dividends but in short....

Take care removing the scuttle panel to avoid breaking it and the windscreen. Use a long-bladed sharp craft knife to slice the bonding sealant...

No need to remove the LHM reservoir.

Try to separate the heater matrix water elbow but if you can't don't risk busting it but revert to plan B and separate the second joint inside the car.

Disassemble the dash and note how all wiring runs - take a few pictures if need be - some runs are not intuitive. make a note of any odd screws and where they came from.

The seats do not need to be removed to get the centre console out. Motor them right back and recline as far as possible. Disconnect handbrake cables at calipers so the lever can be pulled up to the maximum extent.

On the bulkhead, undo the nut and washer that secures the RH side of the heater box.

Split the heater box by undoing the two gold 10 mm screws and nuts top and bottom. If the elbow didn't come apart, disconnect the matrix at the internal joint.

Manoeuvre the wiring loom well out of the way. Pull the heater box back and remove the old matrix. Clean out the heater box of spilt antifreeze and other crud that may have gathered.

Reassembly is a reversal of disassembly.

That'll get you started. have fun!

[citronut]

make a note of any odd screws and where they came from.

isnt that what the glove box is for ( left over nuts, bolts, screws, and any other oddments you have left over )

The seats do not need to be removed to get the centre console out. Motor them right back and recline as far as possible. Disconnect handbrake cables at calipers so the lever can be pulled up to the maximum extent.

i have never reclined the seats for this job, or disconnected the hand brake cables,

[RichardW]

Like to a previous (CitroJim!) thread in here: http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... 11&t=29981" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[CitroJim]

i have never reclined the seats for this job, or disconnected the hand brake cables,

Maybe it's only necessary in a car with leathers and a driver's armrest Malcolm... If you don't disconnect the handbrake cables you can't, in my experience, pull the handbrake lever up far enough to allow the console to come out easily...

Richard, thanks for posting the link!

[h2ocooler]

Good luck doing that, done it once and it was FUN, think it was about 4-5 hours it took me.
Have plenty of plastic tubs for the bolts/screws and mark on them where they come from, makes life so much easier when putting it all back.
Only reason i did it was the heater matrix was blocked, changed it then the next year it blocked AGAIN!!!!!!

[CitroJim]

Stekelly, whereabours in uk are you, not northeast by any chance?

Not unless there's a locality up your way called Dublin, Ireland Mike

[Mandrake]

Stekelly, whereabours in uk are you, not northeast by any chance?

Not unless there's a locality up your way called Dublin, Ireland Mike

[Jaf]

With my car being a left hand drive is the steering gear likely to get in the way? I'll just bet it will!

[CitroJim]

With my car being a left hand drive is the steering gear likely to get in the way? I'll just bet it will!

No, because everything is a mirror image on a LHD car Jaf so you’ll be OK... The steering gear gets well in the way on an RHD car and the whole column has to be dropped down...

Mike, that sounds like a good gig Didn't realise Billy Joel was still going...

I'm sure someone up your way will be doing a matrix eventually... Citroenmad's fairly local isn't he? He's got two Xantias

[Jaf]

Hmm, thanks Jim. One less excuse then! Will do it one day.

[addo]

Unless you do them with a helper, and frequently, it is simpler to entirely remove the steering column complete with wheel.

I'm annoyed at having to take my dash out again for the collision repair pulling.

[Xantidote]

Very useful having a second pair of hands to remove/lift out the dash from car, and for physically putting it back into car again

[CitroJim]

Very useful having a second pair of hands to remove/lift out the dash from car, and for physically putting it back into car again

I'd say bloody essential I know I can't lift a dash all on my own.