Author |
Topic: The bad news.....and the bad news.... (Read 11806 times) |
|
freddieboy
Full Member
Juan Sheet does Plenty!
 
Posts: 291
|
 |
The bad news.....and the bad news....
« on: Dec 2nd, 2008, 6:53pm » |
 Quote  Modify
|
Booked the mean machine in to my regular garage to have the heater matrix flushed out. It was only partly successful, as the heat still isnt coming through. They reckon that the answer is a new matrix. Price £300 fitted. I am going to look into the possibility of doing it myself, but I dont think I relish the job. They say that its a 5 hour job to remove the dash etc, so meanwhile its long johns on and gloves and scarf. Has anyone ever done it?
What I dont understand is what could go wrong with the matrix. Is it just a case of the pipes furring up or am I missing the point somewhere. Oh Well , I`m off to sob into my pillow.  Cheers Fred
|
|
 IP Logged |
|
|
|
5stud
Full Member
I'm a YaBB newbie!
Posts: 436
|
|
Re: The bad news.....and the bad news....
« Reply #1 on: Dec 2nd, 2008, 7:59pm » |
Quote Modify
|
hi yes its a long fidley job if you dont wont to brake things.with .loades of hiden screws.when you get to the matrex use a copper mk 5 escort one not the plastic one
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
Simmo
Administrator
I'm an OAP !
Posts: 5508
|
|
Re: The bad news.....and the bad news....
« Reply #2 on: Dec 2nd, 2008, 8:15pm » |
Quote Modify
|
Fred. That is bad news and yes I think you'll find that the usual cause of the problem is the matrix furring up. The details of the work involved are shown Here but as 5stud says this is not an easy task. I believe one or two lads have tried using a 'flushing' compouind to try and shift the 'crud' but it has be worth a try I guess. 
|
|
IP Logged |
Now I'm an OAP
|
|
|
mr._floppy
Junior Member
Posts: 100
|
|
Re: The bad news.....and the bad news....
« Reply #3 on: Dec 2nd, 2008, 8:55pm » |
Quote Modify
|
Unless the matrix is leaking I would try the backward flushing again or just wear more clothes, I've seen the gruesome pictures of the matrix replacement procedure and it's not a pretty sight
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
Highlander
Moderator
Expert
13 Scorpios, XR4x4, Suzuki SJ413 for off road :)
Posts: 8244
|
|
Re: The bad news.....and the bad news....
« Reply #4 on: Dec 2nd, 2008, 9:07pm » |
Quote Modify
|
Hmmmm spending a few hours removing the dash and installing a matrix or driving around all winter in a frozen car...
I know what I'd be doing!! 
Mine was bad enough when the fan stopped blowing for a week and that was with the heat still coming through when the car was moving!
Get the dash off!!
Its not airlocked possibly?? have you tried running it with the heater hoses off to see if the water comes through the pipes/matrix?
|
|
IP Logged |
on Oct 17th, 2011, 12:35pm, Simmo wrote:I give up !  Too much for an old boy!  |
|
|
|
|
gost
Full Member
I'm a YaBB newbie!
Posts: 491
|
|
Re: The bad news.....and the bad news....
« Reply #5 on: Dec 2nd, 2008, 9:18pm » |
Quote Modify
|
Highlander, what did you do to cure fan not working?, Thats my problem at the moment
|
|
IP Logged |
2.3 ultima
|
|
|
Highlander
Moderator
Expert
13 Scorpios, XR4x4, Suzuki SJ413 for off road :)
Posts: 8244
|
|
Re: The bad news.....and the bad news....
« Reply #6 on: Dec 2nd, 2008, 9:34pm » |
Quote Modify
|
HBC was broken, replaced it
|
|
IP Logged |
on Oct 17th, 2011, 12:35pm, Simmo wrote:| I give up ! Too much for an old boy! |
|
|
|
|
Scorpio_Mike
Senior Member
Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0 V6 & 2.8 Sierra XR4i 4x4
Posts: 2354
|
|
Re: The bad news.....and the bad news....
« Reply #7 on: Dec 2nd, 2008, 9:48pm » |
Quote Modify
|
Didn't someone come up with a method of removing the heater matrix without removing the dash
Something along the lines of cutting part of the heater box out with a Dremel tool or similar, sliding it out into the drivers footwell and sticking the bit back with silicone sealant - although I'd use Duct tape myself - swear by it
My Mk3 Granada Scorpio had a non-working heater matrix but I took the easy option and traded it in 
|
|
IP Logged |
Star sign is Scorpio !
Sierra XR4i's are great...especially when fitted with 4WD 
|
|
|
gost
Full Member
I'm a YaBB newbie!
Posts: 491
|
|
Re: The bad news.....and the bad news....
« Reply #8 on: Dec 2nd, 2008, 9:49pm » |
Quote Modify
|
Thanks
|
|
IP Logged |
2.3 ultima
|
|
|
freddieboy
Full Member
Juan Sheet does Plenty!
Posts: 291
|
|
Re: The bad news.....and the bad news....
« Reply #9 on: Dec 2nd, 2008, 10:21pm » |
Quote Modify
|
on Dec 2nd, 2008, 8:15pm, Simmo wrote:| Fred. That is bad news and yes I think you'll find that the usual cause of the problem is the matrix furring up. The details of the work involved are shown Here but as 5stud says this is not an easy task. I believe one or two lads have tried using a 'flushing' compouind to try and shift the 'crud' but it has be worth a try I guess. |
|
Having read through the instructions my eyes started to glaze over. I think in this case I`ll just have to close my eyes and reach for my wallet. The guys at the garage are pretty competent though, so I expect they will be able to sort it out.
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
freddieboy
Full Member
Juan Sheet does Plenty!
Posts: 291
|
|
Re: The bad news.....and the bad news....
« Reply #10 on: Dec 2nd, 2008, 10:23pm » |
Quote Modify
|
on Dec 2nd, 2008, 7:59pm, 5stud wrote:| hi yes its a long fidley job if you dont wont to brake things.with .loades of hiden screws.when you get to the matrex use a copper mk 5 escort one not the plastic one |
|
Thanks 5stud, I`ll ask the garage lads to use a copper one if possible.
The car itself is in very good condition, so I`ll get the job done professionally. Watch this space!
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
ricky
Full Member
I'm a YaBB newbie!
Posts: 165
|
|
Re: The bad news.....and the bad news....
« Reply #11 on: Dec 2nd, 2008, 11:36pm » |
Quote Modify
|
check the flow through the heater, if its bad get a local plumber to connect up his power flushing unit and it can be descaled in situ
|
|
IP Logged |
"Two tonnes of electronic infested metal"...
|
|
|
Jonnycab
Senior Member
Former owner of 2.3 Ultima Facelift saloon
Posts: 3900
|
|
Re: The bad news.....and the bad news....
« Reply #12 on: Dec 3rd, 2008, 12:37am » |
Quote Modify
|
When I replaced my matrix 3 years ago it took me 2 days from start to finish (first time I'd ever done it), so if the garage reckon they can do the whole job for £300 then get them to put that in writing cos it's a d**n good price  , seeing as the matrix itself costs about £110 from Ford......Don't get one of those cheapo £30 ones off Ebay that say for Granada/Sierra. They don't fit through the centre hole in the heater box...believe me, I've tried .....
Good luck
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
freddieboy
Full Member
Juan Sheet does Plenty!
Posts: 291
|
|
Re: The bad news.....and the bad news....
« Reply #13 on: Dec 3rd, 2008, 4:54am » |
Quote Modify
|
Thanks Jonnycab, will do. cheers Freddieboy
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
Matt
Senior Member
Manual'd and a 4.0 in the making
Posts: 2816
|
|
Re: The bad news.....and the bad news....
« Reply #14 on: Dec 3rd, 2008, 5:48pm » |
Quote Modify
|
the dash isnt that hard to remove to be honest, ive had them out in less then an hour, and its all 10mm sockets or a number 8 torx i think. the matrix can be the tricky bit but theres no way its a 5 hour job
|
|
IP Logged |
 
FDS2000 Scans - Birmingham
|
|
|
mr._floppy
Junior Member
Posts: 100
|
|
Re: The bad news.....and the bad news....
« Reply #15 on: Dec 3rd, 2008, 6:08pm » |
Quote Modify
|
Freddieboy, I'm a bit apprehensive about you letting your local FMD trainees get laid into the pristine delicate plastic trim and the fiddly clips, screws, tags and multi-plugs that lurk behind the dash.
Oh, I can't look
Good Luck, and make sure the job is done to your satisfaction before handing over your life savings.
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
freddieboy
Full Member
Juan Sheet does Plenty!
Posts: 291
|
|
Re: The bad news.....and the bad news....
« Reply #16 on: Dec 3rd, 2008, 6:31pm » |
Quote Modify
|
Well I`m an old geezer now and I dont relish doing gymnastics in my cold car in the even colder garage! I recently took out the dash to replace bulbs behind the temp guage. The worst part was trying to seperate the many different electrical connectors behind the fascia.
If it all goes wrong you`ll find me on the Nissan Micra Drivers Club site 
cheers all, freddieboy
p.s. Why do they specify that the instrument cluster must be kept upright?
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
Dave2302
Senior Member
2006 Mercedes S55 AMG, Retired Barefoot Waterskier
Posts: 1119
|
|
Re: The bad news.....and the bad news....
« Reply #17 on: Dec 3rd, 2008, 7:39pm » |
Quote Modify
|
Freddie,
I tried commercial chemical de-scaling compounds, back flushing under pressure, airline, bleeding etc....Sorry to be a party pooper, but none of this made much difference and certainly didn't give any apreciable heat for more than a few miles, then back to square one
My experience was that all this was a waste of time, should've just fitted the new matrix first off....
I did mine in a fully equipped workshop, have plenty of experience etc, and the whole job from start to finish took me 6 hours. I beleive that the "book time" is well in excess of this so I'd be getting the quote in writing first.
Also Dash out has been mentioned, which definitely does have to come out to avoid straining things, including yr neck lol, but also there is a lot of other bits, centre console, steering wheel and airbags, under bonnet bits etc that have to come off in order to make a good job of it, ie without trying to force things past here and there etc.
Personally If I was pricing it as a job I'd want £500 quid plus the matrix cost. As was said earlier, fit a genuine one too, and I cleaned the heater box out and made sure all the flaps were free and gave it a thorough looking at before putting it back.
Now it's done though it's well worth it...
HTH
Dave
|
|
IP Logged |
Dave "The 'ol Bear" ex Footer !
|
|
|
freddieboy
Full Member
Juan Sheet does Plenty!
Posts: 291
|
|
Re: The bad news.....and the bad news....
« Reply #18 on: Dec 3rd, 2008, 8:28pm » |
Quote Modify
|
Thanks Dave, Comments noted. Will keep the forum posted on the ongoing saga.
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
ren
Full Member
95 N 2.9 24v Cossie Estate
Posts: 480
|
|
Re: The bad news.....and the bad news....
« Reply #19 on: Dec 3rd, 2008, 9:00pm » |
Quote Modify
|
Hi
Had mine done at my local garage,bought the
matrix of fordpart.uk cost around £116.00
the garage charged me £140.00 to fit,i had my old
one off them,you can see why backflushing DOESN'T
work,ask to see yours, or have it back and try and
descale it,ive only been able to clean out 2 of the 7
u bend pipes that make up the matrix,
ren
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
|
Home
Help
Search
Members
Login
Reply
Send Topic
Print