Page 1 of 1
Heater Matrix
Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2015 7:08 pm
by jimmy h
I'm losing coolant on my Mk1, and going by the damp carpet passenger side footwell, I've got a good idea from where! I tightened up the jubilee clips on the supply/return hoses a few weeks ago and that seemed to improve thing, but it's bad again. Is the matrix easy to replace, does it just slide out sideways? And where would be a good place to get one from?
Re: Heater Matrix
Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2016 7:32 am
by jimmy h
Bump... I've just ordered a new matrix from VW. Heritage and I'm going to be doing this job soon. Anyone any ideas on the best way? Is it just a case of removing the plastic cover panel and sliding the matrix out? Or, is it dashboard out to get to the centre console? Or, loosen dashboard to get to the centre console out?
Re: Heater Matrix
Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2016 8:22 am
by mr.brown
I always did it by removing the whole heater box. Remove the dashboard screws first so you can tilt it up, undo the pipes in the engine bay and slide them through with the heater box.
If the VWH is Meyle then it'll be fine. If it's unbranded send it back (my recent experience with them has been so-so)
Re: Heater Matrix
Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2016 9:48 am
by mark1gls
Not done the job in a mk1 scirocco but in a mk1 golf you can remove the cover, undo the coolant hoses on the heater matrix and slide it out.
You may want to undo the hoses in the engine bay first to stop any more coolant coming into the car.
Have a bowl and cloth handy to catch the coolant when removing the heater matrix.
Re: Heater Matrix
Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2016 8:43 am
by jimmy h
Cheers Mr B and Mark, It's a Meyle part and I'm replacing the large rubber grommet that surrounds the pipes as they pass through the bulkhead as mine is badly perished. I'll report back when the job is done for info...
Re: Heater Matrix
Posted: Sun May 01, 2016 4:42 pm
by jimmy h
This really was a very easy job! To remove the Matrix all you have to do is remove the plastic casing the under-dash shelf attaches to.
The Matrix slides right out, no need to mess with heater box or remove / loosen dash. I replaced the rubber bulkhead grommet that the pipes go through at the same time as mine was badly perished, it was pence from VWH.
I did remove one of the nuts from the Master Cylinder stiffening bracket to make the Matrix go back in a little easier.. This was for the Mk 1 car.