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Thread: Best aftermarket heater matrix?

  1. #1
    4X4V8 Guest

    Best aftermarket heater matrix?

    Looking for advice on what to buy.
    The heater matrix I've pulled out is the original one from 2001. It does not appear to be leaking but I need to inspect it at the o-ring joint. There was a small amount of dried coolant there when I started to pull apart the dash. Otherwise it looks good.

    In any case I am facing the reality that if I re-fit the original matrix it will likely leak. Even though I plan to test the system before putting everything back, I don't know how long it is realistic for a heater core to last beyond 19 years.

    A new OE Land Rover matrix p/n STC3261 is about $650 from Land Rover Classic in the UK.

    Valeo is the original supplier but AFAIK no longer makes the part. There is a Valeo matrix for sale on Ebay US though, for about $450 (Miami British).

    I have heard Nissens are supposed to have good quality, yet to find a retailer.

    Has anyone been able to buy the Valeo part locally recently, or have other suggestions? I obviously don't want to do this job again in the near future due to a new matrix leaking.

    Yes I know about the Audi heaterh core conversion, but I want ot keep it original (for better or for worse!).

    I am also planning to fit Viton o-rings from British Auto Parts -- if anyone has found these a disaster, please tell me now!

  2. #2
    Join Date
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    If it were me, I'd try and stick to genuine Land Rover or OEM for something like this, it's a job you only want to have to do once if it can be helped.
    There may well be some good aftermarket heater cores available, but just for piece of mind I would fit genuine where possible.
    I had the original core on my 2001 HSE burst while driving, lots of hissing and steam in the cabin, I knew what it was straight away!
    Fortunatley it was just around the corner from home, and I already had a replacement core ready to go, so it was just a matter of getting under there and doing the job.
    It was hard to find any genuine at the time, I ended up using a Bearmach one, it has been good for four years now with no issues at all.
    Hope that helps!
    Cheers, Pete.

  3. #3
    Join Date
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    "2 bob's worth": My recollection of reading up on the the Audi conversion at the time... is that future o-ring replacements could be accomplished on the engine side of the firewall.... think of it as a mid-model upgrade that LR never got around to!!!
    That being said, there was a deal of mucking around involved to take account of (Audi) LHD orientation and the Audi OEM matrix was a tad smaller than the LR original ...so like PeterH observed, if you can obtain a fit-for-purpose LR part it will probably suit you well in the longer term...
    MY99 RR P38 HSE 4.6 (Thor) gone (to Tasmania)
    2020 Subaru Impreza S ('SWMBO's Express' )
    2023 Ineos Grenadier Trialmaster (diesel)

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