Thread: Remove pipes from heater matrix D4

Removing all of that trim just to get at the heater core suggests to me that LR didn't consider future maintenance needs. I have also found recently that a UK company makes a brass heater core with wider coolant passages - less likely to block? If you look on the UK Disco3 website there is a thread about the heater core.

Originally Posted by Airmech953

Removing all of that trim just to get at the heater core suggests to me that LR didn't consider future maintenance needs.

That's not unusual. It's like the Volvo 2xx series started with the heater fan motor and built the car around it. I think there's an expectation the hardware will outlast the rest of the vehicle, and in Nordic climates with salty roads they may be right.

Originally Posted by Airmech953

Hi, back in January I replaced the heater core in my D3. To avoid removing the centre console I modified the panel as the attached photos show. I was lucky that my replacement core had clamp on pipes but I would cut the swaged on pipes and join up with heater hose at a convenient location. Pulling the dash is a pain that I don't want!


Attachment 187764Attachment 187765Attachment 187766

Getting closer to this job. What I don’t understand is why with the second picture showing the rivet marks the panel is removed from the car. Why did you need to cut it if it was removed?

From what I can gather to remove this item you first need to remove the centre console?

Originally Posted by PerthDisco

Getting closer to this job. What I don’t understand is why with the second picture showing the rivet marks the panel is removed from the car. Why did you need to cut it if it was removed?

From what I can gather to remove this item you first need to remove the centre console?

I’ve peeked in at mine on a D3 and the matrix has joins to the pipes with screw on clamps

Originally Posted by PerthDisco

Getting closer to this job. What I don’t understand is why with the second picture showing the rivet marks the panel is removed from the car. Why did you need to cut it if it was removed?

From what I can gather to remove this item you first need to remove the centre console?

From what I can gather to remove this item you first need to remove the centre console?

OK, when I developed this modification I had this panel removed. I then worked out that if I had cut the panel the heater core can be replaced with far less work.
I modified the panel on my Disco to prove the concept and when I next remove the heater core it will be easy.

hope that clears up the confusion

Originally Posted by Airmech953

From what I can gather to remove this item you first need to remove the centre console?

OK, when I developed this modification I had this panel removed. I then worked out that if I had cut the panel the heater core can be replaced with far less work.
I modified the panel on my Disco to prove the concept and when I next remove the heater core it will be easy.

hope that clears up the confusion

Thanks!

Did you need to remove the whole centre console to get it out?

Is it part of the whole centre sub frame the stereo sits in or a side piece?

The videos online all show full disassembly of D4 dashs which do differ from the D3 so hoping for a win there?

Originally Posted by PerthDisco

Thanks!

Did you need to remove the whole centre console to get it out?

Is it part of the whole centre sub frame the stereo sits in or a side piece?

The videos online all show full disassembly of D4 dashs which do differ from the D3 so hoping for a win there?

The panel can be cut in-situ. use a dremel or similar tool with a thin cutoff disc. Put a piece of wood or other backing material to protect any underlying components from damage. the pictures from my original post should show more detail. You do have to remove the panel that sits under the steering column to give access, but that's an easy task.

Thanks I’ll look for earlier post. The OCD side of me is leaning to more disassembly rather than less since I can’t see I’d ever replace the matrix a second time.