Xantia heater matrix - quick fix with forte or replace?

[CitroJim]

Good work Stu well done!

You'll often find the leak is not in the matrix itself but failed O rings between the matrix proper and the extension bit with the elbow sockets on it... The matrix is common across many PSA vehicles but the extension bit varies, hence it's bolted on and sealed with O rings. Technically, just a change of those rings should fix it but none of us have been brave enough to put it to the test yet...

[chinkostu]

Lifting the dash ... easy? And ... what was the foam for? I dont think my matrix has any in the box. I've got a spare set of heater pipes in case they break.

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Its cumbersome, get a helper to hold one side and ease it out gently, mine got caught twice, once on the fusebox and the second time was a connector clipped to the dash.

No idea on the foam, i put mine widthways in the gap between the plastic join and the fins, so the new matrix is pretty well sealed!

Good work Stu well done!

You'll often find the leak is not in the matrix itself but failed O rings between the matrix proper and the extension bit with the elbow sockets on it... The matrix is common across many PSA vehicles but the extension bit varies, hence it's bolted on and sealed with O rings. Technically, just a change of those rings should fix it but none of us have been brave enough to put it to the test yet...

Thats what I think, might need pressure to show up any leaks. But to get to that join to change the o rings its the same amount of work as to put a new matrix in!

Set for sunday now as i've got work between now and then, so now its plumbed we should hopefully have it sorted!

[CitroJim]

When I've pulled the joint apart on duff matrixes Stu, the O rings have been found to be rock-hard...

[chinkostu]

When I've pulled the joint apart on duff matrixes Stu, the O rings have been found to be rock-hard...

These ones probably are too!

I've also forgotten where half of the bolts go...

[myglaren]

^ job's not done unless you have a few bits left over.

[Stickyfinger]

I find pre-marking bolt/screw holes with Tippex helps.....you can spot them easy with a torch in those dark area

[superloopy]

I find pre-marking bolt/screw holes with Tippex helps.....you can spot them easy with a torch in those dark area

That's one to remember

[CitroJim]

A lot of small pots and lots of practice works for me!

[BenC5HDi]

I find pre-marking bolt/screw holes with Tippex helps.....you can spot them easy with a torch in those dark area

+1 for this, I do this too when working in dark places.

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[chinkostu]

A lot of small pots and lots of practice works for me!

I just went straight to hard mode and shoved them all in one tub

[Stickyfinger]

Boxes/Packets of biscuits (cheep ones) yield many a tray for small bits..............

[CitroJim]

Egg trays too...

And take-away food containers. After washing them of course..

[chinkostu]

Egg trays too...

And take-away food containers. After washing them of course..

Nah leave curry on the bolts for that authentic "s**t it didn't work" smell

[Stickyfinger]

Covers up the smell of anti freeze from the leaking heater matrix ........

I hope that the years blowing cold air (southern French car) has preserved my O rings

[Paul-R]

Technically, just a change of those rings should fix it but none of us have been brave enough to put it to the test yet...

I have, on my daughter's Pug 206.

I got a SH matrix from a scrappy and then, when I took the old one out, found that not had the O rings gone a bit squashed but also the stupid spring clips were missing, only one screw and nut per tube. So, some extra (5mm?) screws and nuts with new O-rings later it was all systems go.

I was very lucky being able to return the matrix to the scrappy and get a refund, especially as it was in no way their fault.