Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Amego52 on 15 July 2010, 19:15:09

Title: Heater matrix
Post by: Amego52 on 15 July 2010, 19:15:09
I've had a search but cant find anything.
What sort of job is it to change the heater matrix, assuming that is my problem. Thanks.
Title: Re: Heater matrix
Post by: dbug on 15 July 2010, 19:30:49
Howto in maintenance guide - http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1262554909

HTH  :y
Title: Re: Heater matrix
Post by: Amego52 on 15 July 2010, 19:33:31
How come I couldn't find that! :D
Title: Re: Heater matrix
Post by: dbug on 15 July 2010, 19:35:46
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How come I couldn't find that! :D
Pass  :-/
Title: Re: Heater matrix
Post by: The Red Baron on 15 July 2010, 19:36:42
should have gone to specsavers :D
Title: Re: Heater matrix
Post by: Amego52 on 15 July 2010, 19:41:01
Mind you, having read it now its a bit severe with the cutting out.  :o
Title: Re: Heater matrix
Post by: The Red Baron on 15 July 2010, 19:55:25
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Mind you, having read it now its a bit severe with the cutting out.  :o
not really, when its all done you hardly notice, if you put the trim back nice. :y
Title: Re: Heater matrix
Post by: tunnie on 15 July 2010, 20:04:48
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How come I couldn't find that! :D

Use the index Jimbob very kindly made:

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1259003779
 :y

Title: Re: Heater matrix
Post by: dbug on 15 July 2010, 21:21:22
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Mind you, having read it now its a bit severe with the cutting out.  :o

Recently done mine - if you're careful with initial cut then you won't notice when its all back together!  Easier than taking all the dash out though  :y
Title: Re: Heater matrix
Post by: Amego52 on 15 July 2010, 21:46:13
I'll be having a go tomorrow. Can anyone say for definite that the heater matrix is where the leak is or is there something else in there that could be the culprit?
Title: Re: Heater matrix
Post by: 2woody on 16 July 2010, 08:26:08
going to do this on one of mine this weekend - not looking forward to it - some of the dash bolts are a pain to find.

still, I won't be cutting a chunk out of the dash - adamant there.
Title: Re: Heater matrix
Post by: Dishevelled Den on 16 July 2010, 08:34:53
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I'll be having a go tomorrow. Can anyone say for definite that the heater matrix is where the leak is or is there something else in there that could be the culprit?


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Can anyone say for definite that the heater matrix is where the leak is

Only you can answer that Amego.  I would want to make sure before starting the job. :y
Title: Re: Heater matrix
Post by: Dishevelled Den on 16 July 2010, 08:38:42
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going to do this on one of mine this weekend - not looking forward to it - some of the dash bolts are a pain to find.

still, I won't be cutting a chunk out of the dash - adamant there.

If you're proposing to remove the dashboard Woody that would be an interesting project. :y  Why not take some photographs of the job and post them up. :y :y
Title: Re: Heater matrix
Post by: 2woody on 16 July 2010, 08:57:16
will try
Title: Re: Heater matrix
Post by: Amego52 on 16 July 2010, 09:56:50
I thought to myself this morning, the only way i'm going to know for sure is to take the matrix out and have a look. I peeled back the vinyl which went really well, then i made a score line on the foam covered plastic to aid cutting.
What happened next was a pure fluke i think, I was tring to have look behind the peice i had marked and as i was pulling harder it snapped to exactly the shape i wanted. My neighbour must have thought i was mad the way i was laughing.
So far i would recomend the cheat method, it looks like it will all go back totally invisible and solid. :y
Title: Re: Heater matrix
Post by: Amego52 on 16 July 2010, 13:09:42
Just picked up my new matrix, there is no way the rubber end on the passenger side is goint fit as it is a different layout, the new tubes are in line where the old ones are are off set. Everything else seems to match, any thoughts?
Title: Re: Heater matrix: Update
Post by: Amego52 on 17 July 2010, 18:18:29
Curiosity just got the better of me, I just rigged up the old matrix under the bonnet instead of in the car, done the pressure test up to 13psi which exposed a weep along the plastic moulding of the matrix. Not content, I increased the pressure to about 16/17psi and the weep suddenly burst in spectacular style. Certainly would have made a mess in the car.
In a fit of rage earlier I posted the car in the for sale section, it still stands unless in the meantime i can find the right matrix, these patten parts just dont seem to be the same, too small, pipes dont fit etc etc....

Edit; How much would a new matrix cost from VX with a trade discount, might be my only option being as i cant post a wanted add.
Title: Re: Heater matrix
Post by: Abiton on 17 July 2010, 18:32:17
You could always go to a Vx dealer for it.

But make damn sure you're sitting down before they tell you the price.  ::)
Title: Re: Heater matrix
Post by: Amego52 on 17 July 2010, 18:36:53
Hey abiton, its 147+vat for the matrix and 39+vat for modified pipes which you have no choice but to get.
I must have just been editing my last post as you were typing. I was enquiring as to the price with trade card.
Title: Re: Heater matrix
Post by: CaptainZok on 17 July 2010, 18:48:01
Put a wanted post in the test section and ask one of the mods to move it for you.
Title: Re: Heater matrix
Post by: Amego52 on 17 July 2010, 18:57:05
 :y I'm right on it...
Title: Re: Heater matrix
Post by: GaryBC on 21 July 2010, 14:15:45
This is on my list of jobs to do which, looking at the 'cheat' method in the How To section, would appear pretty straightforward.

One thing that concerns me though is the thought of cutting a bit of trim away only to find it's not enough. Then cutting some more away and it STILL isn't enough. (Or, conversely, cutting a huge hole when a much smaller one would have been sufficient.)

Has anyone ever taken any measurements of where to cut? I'd like to be able to get it right first time (and not be trying to re-assemble a jig-saw of small strips of trim).

Cheers,
Gaz
Title: Re: Heater matrix
Post by: Welung666 on 21 July 2010, 14:19:04
I've done a few now if anyone is my way and needs a hand :y

Amego, the last one I did I had turn turn the rubber cap from the passenger side up the other way and it fitted. Are you saying your new matrix doesn't have offset pipe loops on the passenger side end?
Title: Re: Heater matrix
Post by: GaryBC on 21 July 2010, 20:49:06
Sods Law states as follows:

"All the OOF members who are kind enough to offer their services to amateurs such as me live bloody miles away!!"

Why is this? :-[
Title: Re: Heater matrix
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 21 July 2010, 20:51:51
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I've done a few now if anyone is my way and needs a hand :y

Amego, the last one I did I had turn turn the rubber cap from the passenger side up the other way and it fitted. Are you saying your new matrix doesn't have offset pipe loops on the passenger side end?

Worse

Vx changed the matrix and pipe design so if you buy a new matrix and have an earlier vehicle then you need to buy 30 quids worth of conversion parts (clips, pipes and screws) to get it to fit.

I will put more details, part numbers and a drawing up at some point
Title: Re: Heater matrix
Post by: GaryBC on 21 July 2010, 21:00:44
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Quote
I've done a few now if anyone is my way and needs a hand :y

Amego, the last one I did I had turn turn the rubber cap from the passenger side up the other way and it fitted. Are you saying your new matrix doesn't have offset pipe loops on the passenger side end?

Worse

Vx changed the matrix and pipe design so if you buy a new matrix and have an earlier vehicle then you need to buy 30 quids worth of conversion parts (clips, pipes and screws) to get it to fit.

I will put more details, part numbers and a drawing up at some point

I've not yet started the job on mine - are these change obvious before you get too far in? (Like, before you get as far as breaking into the coolant pipework!)
Title: Re: Heater matrix
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 21 July 2010, 21:02:35
I have not found out the break point but.....I strongly suspect its facelift/pre-facelift asthere were some major changes to the setup on facelifts.

So if you have a facelift you should be fine
Title: Re: Heater matrix
Post by: Amego52 on 21 July 2010, 21:49:36
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I've done a few now if anyone is my way and needs a hand :y

Amego, the last one I did I had turn turn the rubber cap from the passenger side up the other way and it fitted. Are you saying your new matrix doesn't have offset pipe loops on the passenger side end?

You got it in one welung, as well as the pipes not fitting. It would appear you just cant get a new one now for a pre facelift. If you went down the main dealer route without trade card it would cost you in excess of 200 nuggets for the updated version!
The rubber boot on hindsight is not really the problem, MDTM came up with a simple solution :y, but you dont know its no good until you put it in and the coolant p*sses out of the pipes!