my heater matrix has packed up and its getting chilly, has anyone attempted a DIY install?

I know it is located right under the dash!

I've done more or less every other job myself but not sure about this one! don't fancy paying SE £400 LABOUR! (8 hrs)

 

thanx in advance.......

8 hours, bloody hell they must have practiced some to do it in that time. I helped out Grant with his and it's a bloody (fingers), fiddly, time consuming job. Should be no problem for a DIY as long as you have no fear of taking stuff apart and can remember how it all goes back together !

I Know SE have replaced a few Heater Matrixes. I have an inckling that they do it without taking out the whole dash;)

 

Taking out the whole dash is easier for the novice and it is a very fiddley and time consuming job. I reckon that the first time you do it will take about 10-12 hours in total. I reckon I could do now that I know whats what, in about 7 hours at a push.

 

I think Andy has a write up on his site.

 

One very useful tool is an extra long (400mm) flat blade screw driver to take off the hoses at the back of the block. This was one of the most difficult / fiddley jobs. A small ratchet with adjustable angled head to get the dash screws out is also advisable. A few receptacles with labeling to hold all the various screws.

 

I used masking tape to label all of the connecters. The electrical connecters are almost all uniquely shaped (male / female) to fit . The problem is that once you take out the dash it's remembering which bit of trim they all threaded through.

 

I have an Alpine head unit/graphic/alarm and pager all behind the dash. The company that fitted it didn't pay much attention to neat connecters and labeled wiring. I still haven't put the stereo all back together yet.

 

Hope this helps if you are thinking of doing a DiY job.

 

Grant

Cheers guys-some priceless info there!

So 10-12 hours with dash out or 4hrs leaving it in!!??

Hmmmm, let me see...... I'd rather spend a "fiddley" 4 hrs than an easy 12!! wouldn't you agree?

Why can't SE do a "dash-in" job and charge me £200? buggers, reckon it was them who butchered it anyway cos the second I drove it away from them after a new engine being fitted- coolant pissed out into the footwells!

 

thanx again.