Thread: Wet drivers floor not aircon

so after further inspection, I discover its the heater matrix behind the dash that is leaking. noticed low coolant while checking under the bonnet for a trip home from mundaring to tom price last sunday. so I guess I'm pulling the dash to replace it. Also noticed when I got home this morning a puddle of oil under the front. seems to be coming from the front bottom main pulley/harmonic balancer thing.
got any tips from those who have been there before me for either of these jobs? sometimes its hard to love my lovely landrover
thanks
ade

Originally Posted by ade

so after further inspection, I discover its the heater matrix behind the dash that is leaking. noticed low coolant while checking under the bonnet for a trip home from mundaring to tom price last sunday. so I guess I'm pulling the dash to replace it.

If its a 300TDI or later V8, the job can be done without pulling the dash. Once you remove the support that's in the way (in the driver's side footwell) you will see the heater matrix. Carefully cut through the aluminium lines in a place where you can slide in heater hose later, then pull out the matrix like a cassette. Its a fiddle of a job, but can be done, and a lot easier than removing all the dash - took me less than a day. Some notes:
When you have the aluminium line out, cut an extra 10mm section, helps when reinstalling and with sliding the hose into place.
When you are ordering the matrix, get the O rings, really important.
When reinstalling the matrix, use some self adhesive foam to seal around it, otherwise you will get hot air on your feet in summer. Note where the foam was on the old one. Door draft stopper from the hardware store works well and self adhesive.
Loosely install the aluminium lines on the matrix before sliding it in if you can, they are horrible to get lined up once its in - when it is in you can tighten up the clamps.

Do a search for this here, there are a few posts and all of them useful.
Simon