Heater Matrix - 'How-to' guide...?

Need technical Q/A then you're in the right place

Moderator: martauto

Geeman
Married to the E30 Zone
Married to the E30 Zone
Posts: 7641
Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Grimsby, Lincolnshire

Post Tue Jul 05, 2005 11:22 am

My Heater Matrix is leaking inside the cabin.

Because half the dash is missing anyway coz it's a stripped out track car, how easy is it to change? Is there a guide to aid me in this feat? Do I need to drain the system?

Any help appreciated...

Giles.
Demlotcrew
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 13329
Joined: Mon Dec 20, 2004 11:00 pm
Location: East Anglia

Post Tue Jul 05, 2005 12:07 pm

I picked up a aircon system from a M40 yessterday for Ԛ£30!

Dude its really easy, if you need any bits right away i have a few spares.

A
kidsinister
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 755
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Oldham, Lancs.

Post Tue Jul 05, 2005 12:25 pm

Giles,

When you take off the hoses that attach to the matrix at the bulkhead in the engine bay, you'll lose a bit of water but there's no need to drain.

First job on the inside is to then disconnect the valve from the matrix, and with the bolts done up from the back this can be tricky.

You'll also have to disconnect the brake bracket behind the glovebox, which can be a pain; even with all this removed there may still not be enough clearance to slide the matrix out, in which case the bolts holding the servo to the bulkhead may need removing so you can push the end of the rod out of the way (you'll see what I mean).

As I think I've mentioned before, it's a pig of a job, but you may have less problems if you've less stuff in the way.

If you've a Haynes manual, there's more on this in there than there is in the Bentley manual.

Good luck, and have patience.
Image
Geeman
Married to the E30 Zone
Married to the E30 Zone
Posts: 7641
Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Grimsby, Lincolnshire

Post Tue Jul 05, 2005 12:31 pm

Well... all I need is the matrix unit. I think everything else is okay. Symptoms are leaking coolant fluid onto the transmission tunnel and down into the passenger footwell. points towards the matrix, right?

Andrew, you got that bit spare? Do I need anything else other than the matrix itself?
Demlotcrew
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 13329
Joined: Mon Dec 20, 2004 11:00 pm
Location: East Anglia

Post Tue Jul 05, 2005 1:06 pm

I bet its not the matrix but the valve. (i have that)

A
Geeman
Married to the E30 Zone
Married to the E30 Zone
Posts: 7641
Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Grimsby, Lincolnshire

Post Tue Jul 05, 2005 1:08 pm

How do I check what is at fault...?
martinclan
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 171
Joined: Wed Jan 19, 2005 11:00 pm

Post Tue Jul 05, 2005 1:15 pm

You should see plenty of green scum from where the actual leak is (assumimng you have antifreeze in your coolant that is). I have just done mine and it turned out to be just from one of the o-rings where the pipes are attached to the matrix so I didn't need to take the matrix out. The hex head screws that hold the pipes to the matrix are a b*gger to undo. I had to buy a 8mm spanner and then cut it in half :? in order to get in the restricted space.
Image
It's an E30 Jim but not as we know it...