Spent the day removing the dash to replace the heater matrix. I know it can be done without removing it but I decided to remove everything so it would be easier. I'm sorry I ever started it. The main box which houses the matrix won't come out, I don't actually know what to do now . if anyone can look at the pic and advise me what do next, or pm me a phone number if they have done this job successfully with the whole dash removed i would be very grateful.i've given up for the night in pure frustration, tomorrows another day I guess. I'm just thick i reckon

cheers.

The matrix slides out the side. You pull it out from the drivers footwell. From the looks of it you should be able to get to it easy now.

see now thats the fookin reason im not doin mine!!!!!!!!

see now thats the fookin reason im not doin mine!!!!!!!!

 

Looking at that, i dont blame yer!!

:headvswal should've mentioned i followed the aussie guide PK1 gave me,which shows how to do it without removing the dash but after a bit of confusion , decided to go the whole hog. This is without doubt the most f*cked ub job. If I'd known what was ahead i'd have stayed cold.

Yes the matrix does slide out into the drivers side, but it's not a simple as that. the two copper pipes that go through the bulkhead have me stumped. i should now have easy access to them and the bitch of a screw which fixes them to the car. but I don't. I just have a mass of dangling wires, about 500 nuts bolts and screws, the whole floor of my workshop laid out with bits of interior which needs to be cleared up and put back in to the car by tomorrow night so i can work on monday.and i'm no closer to replacing the fuking thing :headvswal :headvswal :headvswal :headvswal :headvswal

dont take the dash out

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

to late :wack: slackn master cylinder remove clutch pedal from booster remove heater amp remove 10mm bolt from bulkhead remove in and return pipes from matrix and couple of screws and slide out :wack:if you need any advice send us a PM BUD

just thought yours is an auto even easier :x: forget the booster and and master cylinder part above :wack:

just thought yours is an auto even easier :x: forget the booster and and master cylinder part above :wack:

 

cheers greg, you have pm

i reckon you should take the engine out as well, just for good measure

i reckon you should take the engine out as well, just for good measure

 

:smash: I think a manual conversion and turbo replacement would be easier

blindfolded LOL

You'll be ok mate, be patient and take your time.

Just know that it's deffinetly going to be worth it :smash:

finished! :dance: thanks for the good advice Greg :bow: . never want to hear those two words h***** m***** ever again.

 

I did find putting the dash back together again harder than taking it out, even though i had every peice laid out on the floor with the appropriate screws/bolts beside it. the fiddliest fookin thing ever.

If theres anyone out there like me, with little mechanical knowledge and skill DON'T DO IT YOURSELF :headvswal ........take it to one of the z specialists you have in the UK.

 

Now , think I deserve a few cans of beer..and a fookin medal :duffer:

Well done bud ! :bow:

 

Next time you see a post on this you can go,

Och, been there, done that !! :)

 

Alan........

Well done bud ! :bow:

 

Next time you see a post on this you can go,

Och, been there, done that !! :)

 

Alan........

 

cheers Alan, think that should be " ouch " been there done that :D

cheers Alan, think that should be " ouch " been there done that :D

well done mick top banana :bow:

by crumbba

 

lot of work involved in there, now you know how you can do mine too :tongue:

 

well done bud glad its all together again :dance:

Isn't there a common problem with an earth or something that causes these to go repeatedly?

Might be worth checking as I'm sure people have replaced them only for it to go again shortly after...

Beleive me Mick it is much easier the second time round.

Isn't there a common problem with an earth or something that causes these to go repeatedly?

Might be worth checking as I'm sure people have replaced them only for it to go again shortly after...

 

 

I've got great advice from 2 experienced z experts who have both done this job many times.

i've come to a conclusion about this, but i'm probably wrong. ok, there are two methods. complete dash removal or the quicker way from the drivers side with the seat and steering wheel removed. i'm quite sure mine had never been replaced before judging by the undisturbed dash as i got deeper into it, and mines got 126K miles 0n it.

 

So method 1. get to the matrix and basically push aside the copper pipes which are attached to it , replace only the unit itself and re-attach the old copper pipes. Much easier once you've got to that offending screw, but if you don't seal it back up properly it may lead to problems so that's where method 2 comes in.

 

 

Method two. Remove the dash all the way to the bulkhead, days work if you've never done it before, and lets face it if you dont take you're time and carefully lay out everything it will lead to problems on the way back.however, this will enable you to replace the whole unit including the two copper pipes , and have a bit of comfort knowing you have replaced the whole shebang and not using some of the older parts.

 

Now remember this is coming from a Joe soap who has no mechanical knowledge. :wack:

 

 

I sort of ended up doing it both ways. I started out with the quick method but got so pissed off trying to find the infamous screw,got confused and called an expert for advice and went for the dash removal, but still couldn't access the screw. Then got really pissed off and called another expert. This helped me greatly. Yes I did break off the screw but an hour later I had the whole matrix replaced as it comes from nissan, and as I was able to replace the whole unit with the dash removed. I didn't have to seal up the old pipes to the unit, but had I done i'm sure i probably would have made an arse out of it, and had to replace it again in the future. So this leads me back to chrisc's question. If you're skilled enough to do it the quick way fine. If you're not, and are chancing you're arm at a job you never want to do again, get a garage to do it or do the complete dash removal ( but don't make any weekend plans!)

 

so I reckon anyone who's had to replace their matrix on their car and realised it's not the first time, someone like me must have been there already and sealed the old pipes back on with readybreak :tongue:

 

Hope all this makes sense.