Heater matrix

[Sidewinder76]

Hi all.

I recently had the rather alarming surprise of steam/coolant spraying into my car from the dash vents. Luckily this was on my driveway as I arrived home and not on the highway somewhere.

I think that it may be a failiure of the matrix allowing coolant to escape from the cooling system into the vent network. Is there an easy way or shortcut that I can use to get the matrix out and check it?

Thanks.

[Scouse]

There's no easy way to get the matrix out. It's part #1 & the car is built around it :(.

It might be easier to pressure test the cooling system & use a torch to check the matrix from the drivers footwell area. Any leak will soon be apparent, especialy if it's big enough to mist out of the vents.

[PeterH]

To come out of the vents, it sounds like a pin hole leak spraying out under pressure, which is making it's way into the air ducting via the fans.
If you have a look under the drivers side dash, do you have damp carpet or signs coolant dripping down the side of the tunnel?
It's pretty easy to remove the panels under the steering column and the panels on the side of the console which *may* give you some visual clues as to what is going on.
You may be able to get in there with a torch with the engine running and see evidence of coolant spraying out.
There should be some evidence if it is a leaky heater core.
I recently used a procuct called liquid intellegence 245, which fixed my leaking heater core. Might be worth a shot before tackling the heater core replacement job.
There are shortcuts to replacing the heater core, so you won't have to remove the entire dash as directed in the shop manual proceedure.
Some great info here: Heater Core Replacement (Range Rover 4.0/4.6/P48) (http://www.rangerovers.net/repairdetails/hevac/heatercore.html)

[Sidewinder76]

That's great advice guys, thanks! So far I have already removed the panels under the steering column, the glove box and the radio, a/c controls and the switch panel and have been working my way in as I thought that maybe I would have to remove 90% of the dash to get to it as it does seem to be the least accessible part of the car!
I have had coolant dripping onto the transmission tunnel on the drivers side footwell and had hoped that it wouldn't get too bad but it seems it has gone from a leak to a flow into the footwell. I have not run the car since as I have assumed that the leak is fatal so got stuck in and have had concerned about it overheating but this is easy to control and monitor at tickover on the driveway as opposed to the highway. There shouldn't be any problems with reaching operating temperature quickly as it is 32degrees here at the moment. I haven't pressure tested the system and that is not something I have ever done so I am not sure how to go about it but I will research it and do that if I cannot see any leaks when it's running.
I may top up the car this morning with coolant and see it it leaks into the footwell again.

[PeterAllen]

I have similar issues on the odd occasion and rather than having any spray have had steam vapour coming out around the dash after 5 minutes of starting the car from cold. Only lasts a minute or two when it does occur and have also drips coming down occassionly in the rest pedal to the left of the brake. I thought this was an heater o ring issue and watch my cooling fluid reserve all the time but hardly uses any water anyway. Are you sure your steam is coming from the vents and is not the orings at fault.

[Sidewinder76]

It definately came from the vents. It was like someone had switched on a dry ice machine and the car filled with steam accompanied by a loud hissing noice and preceeded by a 'pop' which i thought may have been the matrix failing.

[Sidewinder76]

I just topped up the coolant and ran the car up to normal temperature and had steam escaping up by the instrument binnacle.

[mtb_gary]

Not good :(

[PaulP38a]

Bugger... I think you have no option left other than to remove the dash and inspect the heater matrix.

I haven't done a write up of how to do it, but did take a lot of photos when I removed the dash to replace my heater core o-rings. Photos are at Heater O-Rings (http://paulp38a.com/gallery/v/99RR/heaterorings/)

Best wishes, Paul.

[Sidewinder76]

Thanks Paul! I have looked through the photos and they are very helpful. I particularly enjoyed the game of 'guess what's been undone or removed in this picture'. lol.
It would seem that I have a task ahead of me. Thankfully I have a spare car otherwise I'd be buggered!
I must add that Heineken doesn't really help the process of undoing and removing things but it does give you something to do whilst pondering the next move.

[Hoges]

Thanks Paul! I have looked through the photos and they are very helpful. I particularly enjoyed the game of 'guess what's been undone or removed in this picture'. lol.
It would seem that I have a task ahead of me. Thankfully I have a spare car otherwise I'd be buggered!
I must add that Heineken doesn't really help the process of undoing and removing things but it does give you something to do whilst pondering the next move.

Actually it does assist... you empty the Hkn bottle first:D then use the empty to catch the coolant dribbles as you remove "all the bits" :wasntme:

[PaulP38a]

Do not confuse the refilled beer bottle with a fresh one or you will surely get much more than a hangover ;)

[Sidewinder76]

Well I must admit that I hadn't concidered that but it is rather a good idea. I'll be sure to only drink the cold ones Paul!
So the next chapter....
I am now at the stage where I am about to remove the dash top. This was made somewhat easier and some time was saved due to the fact that there was only one bolt on the passenger side holding the dash on. I shall have to visit a hardware store to ensure that it has all four when it goes back in. Somebody who owned it prior to me must have believed in willpower to hold it all in place!

[Sidewinder76]

So I have made my way into the bowels of the interior and managed to remove the matrix. It is rather tricky removing it and in particular past the dashboard supports and the wiring loom. Getting the matrix undamaged past these parts is the most taxing part of the process as far as I am concerned. I had the luxury of wrestling a broken one past this but I am hoping that it is somehow easier to replace the new one. I will obviously replace the o rings while I am in there. I am off to visit ebay.

[Sidewinder76]

Oh yes. and the steering column is really in the way. Has anyone removed a steering column in the past? Any hints or tips?

[jsp]

I assume you have gotten it out by now...... I didn't think it was really easy or even achievable to get the matrix out without taking the heater box out?

Gives you a chance to easily make sure the AC drains are clear from the top :)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/12/327.jpg

[Sidewinder76]

I have got it out by loosening the heater box and the frame work that supports the dash on the drivers side. It was hard to get it past the steering column and I had considered removing the column to get the new one in. I have undone the four bolts on the heater box but I think that the air con pipes are holding it in place. How/where do I undo these? Will I have to regas as I have just spent $1300 on a new ac pump, dryer and installation fees so am keen to avoid touching the ac if I can?

[jsp]

From memory I had to bend/persuade the metal dash supports to get the heater box out. Ron might pipe p he's had his out a few times also more recently.

The AC matrix is sepreate and behind the heater box, no need to remove / degas. You can see it in the below picture with the heater box removed.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/12/132.jpg

[zedcars]

The matrix can be removed without that structure butchery as described in the "how to" text.

First remove the centre dash appendages and HVAC head etc and glove box.

Remove the wiper cover panel below the windshield (windscreen) etc to expose the fixing bolts which hold the whole dash assembly to the bulk head.
Loosen off the heater core transfer tubes and extract.

Now with a bit off jiggling you should be able to pull the dash back about 3 inches which wil, just enough to slide the matrix unit out.

If you can get a coolant pressure tester install your new matrix WITH NEW O rings, and connect up with the dash losely in place. Raise the pressure to 16psi (1 bar) and let it hold that for several hours. If there is no leak carry on building. If not the most likely leakage point will be at those O rings.
Best of luck
Dennis
zedcars

[HEYVJ]

I bought my 97 HSE with the heater bypassed. This was not mentioned by the seller when I asked if the heater worked & any faults showing on the HEVAC. His reply was something along the lines of, "It all works, just got a blown globe behind the screen"

So, after I bought the car via photos and a couple of 20 minute phone calls, I drove it home to Werribee from the Gold Coast. It drives great.

Now, back to the heater.

The Rangie is now unregistered and parked up. To get it registered, I need a RWC, for a RWC, I need the heater working.

I have read heaps on the joys of P38 O-rings on AULRO & rangerovers.net.
I followed the procedures and without cutting ducts, I successfully accessed the o rings. I removed the pipes, had a mate repair the pitted pipework on the engine bay side.

Today was the day, back in under the dash. After soaking the Orings in coolant overnight (while doing another 12h nightshift), I refitted the Orings and pipes.

I was careful not to overtighten the screw. I didn't reconnect the pipes to the cooling system, rather just filled the core with clean water. After a few seconds, hey presto, clean water dripping onto a carefully prepositioned rag! :censored:

The heater core is leaking - not the new Orings. :mad:

Has anybody here done the Audi A6 heater core conversion? Heater core O rings... - Land Rover Forums : Land Rover and Range Rover Forum (http://www.landroversonly.com/forums/f39/heater-core-o-rings-60528/)

The core, from ebay, delivered to Australia for less than $80
VistaPro/Proliance 399910 HEATER CORE | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/VistaPro-Proliance-399910-HEATER-CORE-/230701373870?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Make%3AAudi&hash=item35b6df99ae)

I think I might give it a try Afterall, I've still got a big list of stuff to do for the RWC.

The only thing that I'm already dreading is the steering column.

Cheers,
HEYVJ

[HEYVJ]

I ordered my A6 core from eBay on 6th Jan. It arrived today, 21th Jan.
I'll have to schedule the install of the core a bit later on.

I've just taken the heads off my Valiant Charger, one had a bit of a leak.

HEYVJ