VALEO OR BEHR

[xsaras4ever]

Hello again to all.

Yep , we know , we should post this on the Peugeot side, but we feel so much more at home over here in the Citroen family.

Maybe if we include some of our favourite words such as ZX and XSARA we will be allowed to stay.

The heater matrix on our latest transport (PUG 306 estate is leaking).

Hell of a job to replace - we know - we have done 2 matrixes on a ZX on the past.

Anyway, the Pug Public Service Box lists both the BEHR and VALEO for out VIN.



We can buy them new here for 11.99euros + 4euros postage (about £13 in total), and it takes about 4 days to come.

They are not original - but are a brand we trust and have used for 10 years (clutches, timing kits - everything really).

We would like to order the part and do the job when it arrives, rather than being without the car for 4 days.

Can anyone tell us how to determine which one we need before taking out the old one ?

Also , if the price here is attractive to anyone, we would be happy to dispatch some - although postage to UK would be a bit more expensive.

Thanks in advance - as usual.

[chinkostu]

What year is the estate? Might be a LHD RHD thing, or AC cars using a different one.

[xsaras4ever]

Hello , its 1998 , LHD and doesnt have AC, or CLIM as we call it here.

[chinkostu]

Thats bizzare, theyre both listed for everything. Even the lhd ones have both.

I'll see if someone will wade in and clarify here, maybe behr is their aftermarket choice?


Edit: a quick google shows its the same across the board, valeo for standard blowers and behr for AC fitted cars

[xsaras4ever]

Hello again.

We fitted our heater matrix, bought it new for 11.99 euros. We ordered the BEHR equivalent and when we opened the car it appeared that we should have had the VALEO type. However, the only real difference was the screw-holes. Nicely placed self-tappers and it was in.

Now our car is set up to take either BEHR or VALEO in the future.

Thanks for the help .

Only problem now is the heater control is sticking on hot..............

[white exec]

If you've had to do this job twice on the same car (maybe I misunderstood), then it might be a good idea to get very fussy about quality and replacement of coolant/antifreeze. Citroen-Peugeot's own 'Pro' coolant is very good, and not expensive, and ready-to-use. The mixed metals in PSA cars need some looking after, particularly when it comes to the thin-walled items such as radiators, heater matrixes and oil-coolers. Even Valeo have a history of failure here, where coolant has been neglected, or tapwater regularly used.

[xsaras4ever]

Hello Richard and thank you for the excellent post.

Yep , PSA cars can be fussy with their coolants.

We must have led you astray though - we have done quite a few of these (damn things) but only once have we had to do it twice on the same car. This was our own fault though. It was on a ZX and we had almost inverted it on a car roller to do some chassis welding. The matrix somehow blocked soliid.

[white exec]

Sounds like sediment. Likely tapwater. Avoid!