Disco heater matrix

[LAND-ROVER-PIMP]

Hi all,

The heater matrix decided to pop today, water all over the drivers footwell, steam comin out of heaters, blah blah blah... If I bypass the matrix by joining the 2 pipes that go into the bulkhead will this be ok as a temp repair job? Im workin all weekend and it would just be a quick fix for the next 8-10 days or so, I know I would have no heat inside the car, I do a 50 mile round trip per day. I just want to check that this temp repair job will cause no extra damage to the cooling system/engine!!

P.s I aint lookin forward to changing the matrix!  :(

Cheers all....

PPS Ignore the photo, that's my baby! The disco's the girlfriends! I need to get it sorted before she finds my keys! lol

[Disco_Stu]

Should work fine, at least you'll spot any leaks. Heater matrix's are always a PITA, you'll be covered in dash rash this time tomorrow, chin up :)

[Dr Neil]

Yes, by passing the heater matrix will be fine!!

It won't cause any damage to anything, just make sure you bleed the system after the temp repair.

Apparently the matrix isn't nice to change until you've done one, then once tou know where the screws are the second time is easier

hope this helps

Neil...

[LAND-ROVER-PIMP]

Thanks!! Thought I would check before the bypass! At least the girlfriend can still use it. Phew!!

Will bypass and bleed then attack it next weekend hopefully.
I'll let you know how I get on!!

Thanks again..  :D

[barmiebrumie]

As said you can bypass the matrix as a temp fix, my fan burnt out a few weeks ago so had to change mine, not the best job in the world to do but also not the worst,


John.

[LAND-ROVER-PIMP]

I'm hoping that's all that's wrong with it!

Without telling a long story, in the last 3 years it's had the head gasket done 3 times, a re-con cylinder head (re-placed cracked one), 2 P-gaskets, a water pump and gasket and now the heater matrix has gone!! Any comments??

Is it possible the block or bores can have a crack somewhere forcing pressure into the cooling system??

You know when you get that feeling that there's something not right!!  :(

Any suggestions??

[LAND-ROVER-PIMP]

I've just had a read of the Haynes manual..   :?

Have you really got to take out all the air distribution unit? And disconnect the pipes from the bulkhead?

Or does any one know of any short cuts that may save me a s*** load of work??

Cheers.

[Skibum346]

Or does any one know of any short cuts that may save me a s*** load of work??

Only shortcut I know is to sell it and buy a new one...!

 :roll:  :lol:  :roll:  :lol:  :roll:  :lol:

[LAND-ROVER-PIMP]

Not what I wanted to hear!!  :lol:

I'll just have to start stripping the dash tomorrow and hope for the best.

Bought a new matrix today £56, I'll fit that and see what else decides to go after that!!  :(

[Muddyblue]

Not sure what bits you got with the matrix but you will also need new clips , the two " jubilee " type clips that hold the pipes to the matrix are single use , they were on my 300 tdi disco anyway , you may find it easier to get a new set of pipes aswell ? about £35 from Rimmers , as I ended up having to cut a 3 inch section of pipe out and fitting a flexy pipe in .

[LAND-ROVER-PIMP]

Yep, Got the 2 clips and the 2 O-rings, did you take everything out or did you have any short cuts? I was wondering about putting flexi pipe in myself, would make it easier for a future repair I suppose!

I want to try and do it without having to de-gass the air con, cutting the pipe and using flexi pipe would allow this to be done wouldn't it?

[Muddyblue]

Don't know about the air-con side of things , I don't have it . Can't think of any shortcuts , beleive me I tried ! its a real PITA job , I'm not normally methodical in my work but this time I did label all connectors / switches etc that I detached and bagged and listed all screws / bolts etc ,I didn't completely remove the dash but you do have to remove every retaining bolt to be able to lift it forward , if you've got an extra pair of hands to lift the dash out the car it does make for better access . On mine there is a clip that holds the pipes to the back of the blower unit , the screw heads to remove this are on the bulkhead side !! so it would mean removing the entire blower unit , trebleing the amount of time to fix ! , or breaking the clip , not really a problem as there is bolt that would hold it all to the bulkhead anyway ! , a typical Land Rover design fault ! . The flexi pipe was just a section of new heater hose cut to length using the contours of the pipe itself , ended up with about a 3 inch section of flexy on both pipes .
PS , What part of Derbyshire are you from .

[LAND-ROVER-PIMP]

Just a few mins from J28 of the M1...

Guess it's going to be a strip and dismantle as you go thing! I have taken a matrix out but that was from one I am breaking so the TLC was none existant! I have bypassed the matrix now and the Disco seems fine, (just waiting for something else to blow!)  :roll:

I'm sure theres a problem with the block as I've had loads of grief with the cooling system so going to dig a bit deeper before I go fitting the matrix. Luckily I have a spare engine if my fears are found to be justified!! A few head gaskets, a re-con head, a few P-gaskets, a water pump all in 3 years don't seem right. And now the matrix!  :shock:

It's got to be sorted this time, I need to do work on my 110.  :twisted: