Full of the joys of a brand new MOT certificate I took my Zed out for a spin this morning. While crusing along I felt a strange warm wet sensation in left shoe. Glanced down to see rusty brown water poring into drivers foot well :eek: Moments later I'm treated to steam gushing from dashboard and bonnet.

 

To cut a long story short, AA man confirmed my suspicions of heater matrix failure and has by-passed it. So I'm back on the road but with a lot of work to do.

 

Any advice on repairing/replacing heater matrix - how much is this sort of thing going to cost. I've just been looking at the 'how to' to replace without removing dash. Has anyone tried this? Is removing dash easier?

 

I've got a car to dry out and clean up now - any advice on that? Is the leak likely to have caused any other damage that I should be checking out?

 

Cheers folks

 

David

Hiya mate.

 

Well this will definately be your heater matrix! And unless your pretty handy with the old tools it is a job you should get someone else to do.....the thing is, it is very labour intensive so will be expensive, from memory SE charge about £600. So that may or may not persuade you to have a go yourself. Do yourself a favour though and get your matrix from Courtesy Nissan, it is alot cheaper from them, even with the shipping, tax etc.

Mine went a couple of years ago and although I have bought the matrix, I still haven't got around to fitting it. I have the done the bypass that you mentoined and that will be fine until you decide to get yours fixed......just no heating in the car, which isn't so bad as we're coming into summer. You should try it in the winter! Its not funny.

For the clean up, pull back the carpets, soak up as much as poss with paper towels and maybe put newspapers down overnight.

I posted myself the question of 'dash in' replacement, I will try and find it for you as there was some great advice given.

Found it........I thought there were more replies, never mind, it may help you.

 

http://www.300zx.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?threadid=13955

Thanks James,

 

Just knew it wasn't going to be a nice easy job! At that sort of price I think it will have to be a DIY job.

 

Think I will see if I can borrow a VAX to suck up some of this water. Might speed up the drying process. Think the big shag-pile mats are going to take weeks to dry!!

 

David

Another good link for you...

 

http://www.aus300zxclub.com/tech/heater/heatercore.htm

This is on my list of "things to do" as I havent done the bypass and still dont have any heat in my car.

 

if either of you get round to it before me , take plenty notes and pics :D

Jock...........and you haven't got coolant pissing out anywhere?

Have you checked your levels lately?

Hi Silverfox

My matrix has gone as well, got quoted £152+vat for UK 300 matrix from nissan......will let you know how the removal goes later on this week if i have any success with it.....

Dave :mad:

You gonna post back on here Dave?

 

I'll keep an eye out!

 

Originally posted by james300

I'll keep an eye out!

 

Bwahahaha i might need that to see under the dashboard :D

 

Dave

first thing I did james, and had a good look at the weekend when I did the 60k service. The only thing I can think of is a) thermostat was well up the chute (60k should have sorted that) or b) matrix is blocked full of shit. but as yet no dissapearing coolant, either into the footwell or onto this green and pleasant land.

 

Dont know whether, if the matrix was blocked there is another flow path for the coolant. There must be at least one as there is a flow path when the thermostat is shut, and presumably another when the heater is off, so can only think matrix is blocked , coolant uses another flow path back to the rad. Unless, the geezer who had it before me had done the link tube and not let on

Dave, try http://www.mjpauto.com for a better price.

 

Cheers - Gio

Well, got the carpets clean anyway. Lots of rusty muck came out when I cleaned then. Impressed by the carpet in the Zed, dry as a bone underneath :)

 

Anyone know if its possible to get a heater matrix re-cored? If so, any idea of cost and recommended suppliers?

I've never heard of a heater matrix being re-cored.

A new one is the way to go..........!

just spoken to a local company (newcastle) called Advanced Radiators Ltd. They seem confident that they will be able to repair, re-core or replace for somewhere between £20 - £70 but they will need to see it first. May as well let them have a look - I can't aford to replace with new at the moment. Think I will shop around for new just so I know what I am comparing with.

 

David

Just to reply. The removal of matrix was successful thanks to the instructions via link posted by James 300 ( THANKS ) the screw at the back of heater was an absoulute tw@t but with persistance eventually came out. However i took it to the local repair place (Instarad in Scumberland ) who said because it was aluminium could not be repaired and if he could it would only last a couple of month ???? WTF ?? Has anyone successfully had this done ?

 

Cheers Dave...:confused:

Elmo,

 

May be worth trying the people I spoke to in Newcastle...

 

Advanced Radiators Ltd

 

Would be interested to see what they have to say about yours before I start pulling mine apart!

 

You think you will be able to re-fit without taking the dash out? I understand that when they are bought new they come with the pipes attached. I'm a bit concerned about getting the seal good after these have been dismantled

 

David

I have been to 2 places now and both have said because the matrix is aluminium they can't or won't repair them although Serck Marston did attempt to seal the core with some putty mix but they could not guarantee the repair for any length of time ( they didn't charge for their attempt so Hats off to them for trying ) i don't fancy putting repaired matrix back in in case it fails and leaves me stranded ..... unfortunatly the matrix is not listed as a replacement part in their books and it is a dealer part...

No problem with re-assembly as the pipe connections have rubber seals...so should go back easier thanwhen it came out apart from the one tw@t of a bolt at the back.

Dave

Thats the thing, taking into consideration the work involved to replace these fookers, its just not worth the risk of putting in a repaired or even 2nd hand imho back in!

ok, cheers folks. I tend to agree, a new one is the best way forward - time to start saving my pennies again! Think I will attempt to do it without removing the dash. Can always remove the dash if I have any problems I guess!

At least its the summer coming up.........but some advice from someone who has endured a winter with no heat.......make sure those pennies are saved up enough by then! Bbbrrrrrr.