Xantia Heater Matrix

Ian Fearn · Post by **Ian Fearn** » 04 Jun 2006, 17:24

Has anybody here done a heater matrix on a Xantia?

Stempy · Post by **Stempy** » 04 Jun 2006, 19:14

No, but I'm gonna have to pretty soon

reblack68 · Post by **reblack68** » 04 Jun 2006, 21:22

Me too. Maybe we should all start at the same time and have a race.

Richard Gallagher · Post by **Richard Gallagher** » 04 Jun 2006, 21:34

Good luck to all of you, I hope you are very patient. Whilst it's not a job requiring technical knowledge, it is very lengthly (allow a couple of days) and can be quite daunting with all of the things you need to remove to gain access.

One big tip I'll offer you is to try to break the seal on the connection between the matrix/hoses whilst the engine is hot. I tried doing it after dismantling the dash (engine cold) and broke the supply pipe which IIRC costs @ £100 and is never in stock

Stempy · Post by **Stempy** » 04 Jun 2006, 21:46

I haven't even begun to look at what's involved yet, are these connection in the engine bay side?

I know it's a huge job, I think it could be even worse on mine as there's not much room behind the engine so I'll probably have to remove the inlet manifold. I suppose at least I could change the spark plugs at the same time!

Richard Gallagher · Post by **Richard Gallagher** » 04 Jun 2006, 21:53

Stempy wrote:are these connection in the engine bay side?

Yes the connection is on the bulkhead. I did the job on a 2.0 turbo where access was somewhat restricted by the inlet manifold, making it very difficult to apply firm pressure at the correct angle.

I can't imagine what it will be like on a V6

IIRC there is also a nut hidden behind the LHM tank which holds the dash in place. (not mentioned in the BOL

)

Ian Fearn · Post by **Ian Fearn** » 04 Jun 2006, 21:57

The airbags always worry me.

I think its a do-able job once i get a BX diesel to run round in whilst mine is off the road.

Probably a good thing if 2 people on here are doing it at the same time!

Stempy · Post by **Stempy** » 04 Jun 2006, 22:02

You go first and tell me what goes wrong

Am I gonna have to take the seats out? I got air bags there too.

wrinklet1 · Post by **wrinklet1** » 04 Jun 2006, 22:09

Yes, I have done it on my TD Xantia. The Haynes manual is quiet a good guide for a change.
It took me from 11am to 6pm one Saturday.
Tip, make sure you have some box spanners available, you need them to get to the bulk head bolts on the inside of the engine bay.
If you have airbags, disconnect the battery and leave the car for about 30mins. Also, make sure you have the radio code too.
Take your time and dont rush, just follow the instructions and you will do the job with no problem.
When reconnecting the matrix hoses, make sure you use some vaseline to lubricate the O rings that make the seal and have a swear box to hand.
Once done, and having checked for leaks, pat yourself on the back for saving yourself at least £200 that Citroen would have charged.
Paul

Richard Gallagher · Post by **Richard Gallagher** » 04 Jun 2006, 22:09

Take a look at the following link I posted just after doing the job. (my memory is going -I'm getting old it appears)
http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... tia+heater

reblack68 · Post by **reblack68** » 04 Jun 2006, 22:27

I had my airbag out yesterday. It's held on by two T25 screws accessed from the back of the wheel. It unplugs from the middle and can then be put aside. There's no real reason for it to go off when unplugging it but it's wise to be outside the car when you do, just in case. One thing- make sure you aren't charged with static electricity, an electrostatic discharge just might fire it.

Similar advice applies for other airbags, disconnect battery, don't have your eardrums inside the car and discharge yourself before touching any airbag plugs. I think accidental detonations (if they exist at all) are mostly caused by ESD.

Have a digital camera, notepad and roll of masking tape to hand when you tackle the job. The masking tape is for labelling any wires or pipes so you know where they came from.

Stempy · Post by **Stempy** » 04 Jun 2006, 22:28

OMG just read your account. I wonder if it's any easier on a Mark2 dash, guess I'll be flying blind as the BOL only covers Mark1.

wrinklet1 · Post by **wrinklet1** » 04 Jun 2006, 22:35

A good tip would be to have a roll of duct tape to hand, you can use this to wrap arount the 2 parts of the matrix casing once re assembled, to make a good seal.

Paul

Richard Gallagher · Post by **Richard Gallagher** » 04 Jun 2006, 22:40

Stempy wrote:OMG just read your account. I wonder if it's any easier on a Mark2 dash, guess I'll be flying blind as the BOL only covers Mark1.

There is now an up-dated version of the BOL (up to Y reg) although I don't know how much it covers on the MK 2.

wrinklet1 · Post by **wrinklet1** » 04 Jun 2006, 22:43

You can actually phone haynes up and ask them if it covers your model year