Heater Matrix Leaking

[davehart]

Ok, I fixed one issue but seem to have created another. I flushed the heater matrix out last week, I did have a little trouble removing one of the hoses from the bulkhead.

I fixed the leak from inside the engine bay but I fear I may have damaged one of the pips going into the matrix as its been leaking still but not from outside the bulkhead.

Had a little look under the dash and I can see coolant from underneath the glovebox. I think when trying to remove the sticky pipe from the bulkhead I may have damaged it going back into the matrix.

So, I've a feeling I'm going to have to do this:

::http://www.toyotagtturbo.com/forums/showthread.php?34134-Heater-Matrix-Dash-Removal-Guide-*

Once I have it out, would a new heater matrix core be better than welding or fixing the current one?

 

[Guye]

Personally, if I were facing the prospect of pulling the whole dash apart, I would have to have a new unit ready to install. I wouldn't risk a repair in case the issue returns soon after.

 

[Jay]

A good radiator shop should be able to recore the matrix which would save you from splashing out on a new one. Best to shop around as prices can vary.

Jay

 

[5e colin]

also as mentioned above its a BIG job ripping out the dash and be carefull not to squash the matrix tubes sticking out the bulkhead i had a leak there before !!!!!
i had to pay 163e for a new core to be put in in my local radiator shop

 

[Guye]

A good radiator shop should be able to recore the matrix which would save you from splashing out on a new one. Best to shop around as prices can vary.

Jay

You guys are fortunate to have choices of "good" radiator shops.

 

[davehart]

Half the dash is out so far....

Nearly 20 years of dust dirt and grime is lurking behind those panels so its a good chance to clean them all up.

Not got the whole dash off yet s it got dark so will resume battle on Sunday when I'm off.

Anyone know a good radiator repair place in the alfreton area?

 

[Macker]

Howdi folks,

I just started on this job this afternoon too... its a humdinger of a job to take on I'm like a pig in s***e out in the driveway!!
Like Dave though, it got dark early enough today so i am at the stage of having the whole dash out now and will continue with the removal of the heater system tomorrow or Thursday when i have some free time! Cant wait to have heat again!!

Macker

 

[Jay]

You can tell it's getting colder when the heater boxes are getting ripped out lol..

 

[davehart]

Well mines been on the list of things to do for 8 years now

Dash is now off, all lines disconnected. Only thing I need to take off is the aircon lines so I can get the heater box off, I've read you can wiggle it but I've already broke one plastic part doing that so don't want to rag it about anymore.

The aircon needs re-gassing anyway and its not as if I'm going to need it for the next 5 months

There is a nice puddle in there though so its definitely the core that's leaking not the lines at the top where I had to rag it about to get the coolant line off.

 

[Macker]

Yea mine was in the bypass state now for a few years, but deffo needs sorting now before my fingers fall off!!

 

[davehart]

Yea mine was in the bypass state now for a few years, but deffo needs sorting now before my fingers fall off!!

I was tempted to do just that.....but thought no, it'll be like that for another 7 years

 

[davehart]

The little bugger is out and I've found where its leaking from. There is a little crack on the output pipe on the join, likely caused from when I was trying to rag the pipe off.

So, where around my local area can I take this to for it to be fixed? Alfreton based.

 

[sx_turbo]

The little bugger is out and I've found where its leaking from. There is a little crack on the output pipe on the join, likely caused from when I was trying to rag the pipe off.

So, where around my local area can I take this to for it to be fixed? Alfreton based.

http://www.appliedradiators.co.uk/

could try them

 

[davehart]

I'll drop them a call later this afternoon and see what prices they can do for me, should be an easy fix

 

[Macker]

My replacement matrix arrived this week, Delighted!! cheers Jay

Nice clear day today so decided to get crackin, was half way through the removal of the heater box when i got a call (I'm an on call fireman) just back now and its pitch dark out :-( wish i had a garage here with some light... i'm like a bull here now cos the job is half done and i am off on a bloody painting job tomorrow all day... will probably be Saturday before i can even look at it again.... hope the weather is dry this weekend haha

 

[Jay]

You might just get it finished before the frost starts Mack - fingers crossed!

 

[Macker]

You might just get it finished before the frost starts Mack - fingers crossed!

haha, i'll get it done even if my fingers fall off!! I don't mind the cold as much as having no light to work in, specially when you drop a nut or screw haha

 

[Macker]

Managed to get about 30 mins of daylight today before it got dark.. i got this far...




I have removed what i think are all the nuts holding the heater box to the firewall...

Do i need to removed the entire system or just the white heater box? what way do i go about removing it? is it all wiggles and cursing or what? from looking at the pics, is there a more bumfluffery that needs to be removed before i can get the box out?

Its some dickhead of a job, but its interesting too... looking forward to being able to enjoy heat again when its done and the feeling of pride that i did it

just need to get what i can done inbetween rain, wind, and darkness..

If anyone has a box currently removed (Jay, looking your way) can you take some pics of it in its removed state, to give me an idea of what i am dealing with when removing it...


cheers

 

[davehart]

I'll take some pics of mine tonight m8 as its out.

The guide I read said you can wiggle it out without disturbing the aircon box but I didn't want to break any plastic. I took off all the nuts holding all three boxes to the bulk head and removed the two A/C lines going into the cabin. I did 'forget to de-gas' the system before doing that so quickly disconnect a line and ran inside to hide until all the white smoke had gone

It's easier to wiggle it off and away with those lines disconnected.

Those pictures don't work for me m8.

 

[Jay]

10mm nuts hold most of the boxes to the bulkhead. You can remove the main heaterbox if the other two are loose but to be honest it's easier to wrestle it out of there once they are removed completely.

Once you have the heater box out the matrix can be slid out the top. A bracket holds it in place so remove that and you are almost at the fun stage - putting it all back together!