Heater matrix

imperial21 · Unread post by **imperial21** » 21 Dec 2010, 20:41

I can not decide if my xantia has a leaky heater matrix, i think i found some anti freeze water at the bottom of the heater area but not sure,i think the water felt sticky!
But at the moment we have wet feet so wonder if the wetness in the car is from wet feet as the mats are only a bit wet ! i topped up apox 1/4 ltr of coolant today which is about week or 2 since i last did it

. i am losing more water now than in the summer but i would expect the floor wells full of water as i keep topping up but cant find any leaks ! i think there is a faint smell of anti freeze but i wonder if its me !!!

If it is the matrix is there any tips to changing it ? are there any short cuts ???????

DickieG · Unread post by **DickieG** » 21 Dec 2010, 21:13

If the matrix ias leaking then it normally shows itself by giving a strange whiff of curry a few minutes after starting from cold (may take longer ATM due to low temperatures).

As far as short cuts

there are a few available allowing the job to be done within a day but allow a weekend to be sure, I've previously posted some and I know Jim has as well so a quick search of the forum will give the details.

Unread post by **citroenxm** » 21 Dec 2010, 21:13

Hi Imperial21

Could well be the Matrix...

Theres no short cuts for removing the dash really... a tip for the scuttle though, if it still has the Original Citroen sticky holding the scuttle...

Use a hair dryer to help soften the bond while cutting it very carefully with the upmost sharpest of knifes!!!

Any rushing, as tryinging without WILL crack the outer laminate! You be surprised how easy they are to break!

The Matrix pipes, I use a screw driver, a long one, and lever from BEHIND the plastic pipes gently, while holding the clip across...

Once the dash is out, theres NO need to remove the whole heater unit, as you will have air con, you CAN split the heater unit just after the Pollen Filter... Theres Two 10mm bolts, one at the top one at the bottom.. Remove these, plus the 10mm on the Bulkhead in the engine bay, dont forget the Torx screws holding the metal plate behind the heater hoses.. this also holds the matrix to the bulk head...

I, as well as Citrojim, have done a few of these now EACH, so any help greatly offered..

Regards
Paul

Deanxm · Unread post by **Deanxm** » 21 Dec 2010, 21:25

I have not seperated the heater pipes on mine with that silly little clip, i left the pipes in the bulhead and unscrewed the heater matrix from within the cabin and took it out in the heater box, this way i could really wash the heaterbox out to rid the car of that damn curry smell!!!

D

Unread post by **citroenxm** » 21 Dec 2010, 21:28

Bloody hell Dean!

That never crossed my mind - becuase the pipes can get in the way when trying to remove the heater box!

Ill do it that way next time! Nice pointer!

Paul

Deanxm · Unread post by **Deanxm** » 21 Dec 2010, 21:36

obviously braver than me Paul, i had to take the boost pipes off to get to the second bolt that holds the heater box in and saw the clip you mention and gave a half assed attemp at removing it but it was -? at the time and being citroen plastic and old i thought it best not to push my luck and took it out from inside instead.

D

Unread post by **Peter.N.** » 21 Dec 2010, 22:08

Taste it, if its antifreeze it will be sweet - I've been doing it for years and I'm still here.

Peter

Toby_HDi · Unread post by **Toby_HDi** » 21 Dec 2010, 22:13

Peter.N. wrote:Taste it, if its antifreeze it will be sweet - I've been doing it for years and I'm still here.

Peter

Not always, these days anti-freeze has bittering agents in to make it not so attractive to children and animals.

Jim will attest to this as he got a mouthful of it when we removed Mike's V6 the second time round

Unread post by **Peter.N.** » 21 Dec 2010, 22:45

Well it should taste bitter then

Hopefully distinguishable from the usual dirty carpet taste.

Peter

Unread post by **Rhothgar** » 22 Dec 2010, 00:40

Is that curry smell reminiscent of celery or the curry spice, asafoetida?

Hope not!

Unread post by **RichardW** » 22 Dec 2010, 07:25

Link to the heater matrix info in this thread: http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... hp?t=29981

On the three of mine that have leaked

I have found that the AF drips from a spigot on the bottom of the heater box in the passenger footwell, close to the centre tunnel.

If it's only a minor leak, bung some Forte Rad Sealer in the header tank, and forget about it. Despite having had 3 leaking about the bottom of the dash, I've yet to change one

Unread post by **myglaren** » 22 Dec 2010, 13:57

Just come from a garage where they have a broken 206 in.

The owner had put Radseal in to cure a leaking heater matrix and topped the cooling system with water.

When he started the car this morning the cooling system was frozen, including the water pump that stalled the timing belt and it jumped several teeth with much damage to the valves by the sound of things.

Chris570 · Unread post by **Chris570** » 22 Dec 2010, 14:47

myglaren wrote:Just come from a garage where they have a broken 206 in.

The owner had put Radseal in to cure a leaking heater matrix and topped the cooling system with water.

When he started the car this morning the cooling system was frozen, including the water pump that stalled the timing belt and it jumped several teeth with much damage to the valves by the sound of things.

Owwww, that will seriously hurt the wallet!!

Unread post by **citroenxm** » 22 Dec 2010, 15:02

Hmmmmm just about sums up MY opinion of any Sealant..

I just DO NOT use them! Id far sooner top a system up with a Mixed anti freeze mix to keep the Rust at bay, and then get the job / do the job when possible!

Paul

Xaccers · Unread post by **Xaccers** » 22 Dec 2010, 15:03

myglaren wrote:Just come from a garage where they have a broken 206 in.

The owner had put Radseal in to cure a leaking heater matrix and topped the cooling system with water.

When he started the car this morning the cooling system was frozen, including the water pump that stalled the timing belt and it jumped several teeth with much damage to the valves by the sound of things.

Girl I knew at NTL had a Corsa which had been run for 2 years with only water in the coolant (serviced at a Vauxhall garage that she bought it from).
Cold snap over winter and it sheared her water pump killing the head.
Garage said it would be £1400 to repair, but Vauxhall would pay £200 of that as a good will gesture.
She took it to an indie who saw how rusty it was inside, tested the remaining coolant and told her the results.
She got the RAC involved and eventually got the head replaced at no cost (did take the garage 2 attempts though as they got it wrong the first time!).