HOW TO: Heater Matrix Repair

[RSM Masser]

A smell of coolant in the cabin, a misty patch on inside of windscreen and a sticky/wet carpet, I guess I need to join the Matrix club.
After reading the excellent 'how-to', I'm wondering if it can be done with both seats, still in the car, but pushed right back and does the steering definitely wheel have to be removed?

Seats out is a must - only 4 bolts, Steering wheel can stay on, its a bit awkward to get all the dash screws undone but it can be done, you physically cant get unto the bolts with the seats in, but if you remove the wheel you dont need to undo them
mmmmmmm!

 

[Advancedme]

Amazing write up! Many thanks it was a great help.

I tried to remove the dash with wheel and stalks still in place, I was not successful. Took 5 mins to get the wheel and stalk off.

Airbag screws came undone with hi grip pliers. No one I know has the 5 point torx socket and I thought it would hold me up. Just grabbed the outside of the screw head and turned!

Heater matrix is on the way using the Nissan 70016.

I'm also sending off the plastics to Czech Republic to have the buttons repainted and laser etched. I'll let you know how they turn out. 4 weeks turnaround I've been advised. No UK companies set up to do it it seems.

Thanks again for the assistance. Great post

 

[Zep]

Amazing write up! Many thanks it was a great help.

I tried to remove the dash with wheel and stalks still in place, I was not successful. Took 5 mins to get the wheel and stalk off.

Airbag screws came undone with hi grip pliers. No one I know has the 5 point torx socket and I thought it would hold me up. Just grabbed the outside of the screw head and turned!

Heater matrix is on the way using the Nissan 70016.

I'm also sending off the plastics to Czech Republic to have the buttons repainted and laser etched. I'll let you know how they turn out. 4 weeks turnaround I've been advised. No UK companies set up to do it it seems.

Thanks again for the assistance. Great post

Awesome. And welcome!

 

[Cliff]

Amazing write up! Many thanks it was a great help.

I tried to remove the dash with wheel and stalks still in place, I was not successful. Took 5 mins to get the wheel and stalk off.

Airbag screws came undone with hi grip pliers. No one I know has the 5 point torx socket and I thought it would hold me up. Just grabbed the outside of the screw head and turned!

Heater matrix is on the way using the Nissan 70016.

I'm also sending off the plastics to Czech Republic to have the buttons repainted and laser etched. I'll let you know how they turn out. 4 weeks turnaround I've been advised. No UK companies set up to do it it seems.

Thanks again for the assistance. Great post

Could Check out Roland@stickyplastics.com

 

[TimR]

+1 for Roland . He did mine recently, and his work is excellent.

 

[Advancedme]

I will add this today.

Couple of photos.
The first shows clues that the matrix is going I feel. Note the rusty screw in the tunnel carpet along with spotty corrosion on the plated bracket.

Second photo shows that for right hand drive the loom and AC pipes really get in the way and take some ingenious use of 1/4 drive sockets and extensions. You can see 1 bolt removed. I couldn't see the other one so struggled for a few mins.

Possibly worth noting that for RHD cars with the glove box removed you can access the heater matrix coolant hoses. Mine had also weeped a little from the hose clamps (I think possibly over tightened) makes me feel better about putting the dash in and checking once started up

Waiting on the heater matrix to arrive now...

 

[Advancedme]

Cooler arrived today. Looks identical to the Maserati item just with black Plastic end tanks. I was impressed that it came with foam tape also. £46 delivered

 

[Nibby]

My sticky button situation got a lot worse when my heater matrix sprung a leak. Might be a coincidence but I did wonder if the strong aroma of antifreeze made the stickiness worse?

 

[RJ237]

The ethylene glycol would likely do just that.

 

[Nibby]

The ethylene glycol would likely do just that.

Thanks for confirming.

 

[Soenvious]

Thanks for confirming.

A lot of the foam wrap insulation on the wring harnesses around the centre console area were a horrible sticky mess on my '04 car. I'm sure it was because of the coolant leak from my matrix. Had to clean it all off and re-wrap.
It just adds time to the job but gives peace of mind too. Good luck with yours, patience and perseverance

 

[Advancedme]

Finally got round to putting the Nissin heater matrix in and to my pleasant surprise it was a straight fit!

For a moment I thought it was not needed as it seemed fine when I removed the original unit. However closer inspection showed it damp inside the plastic box and rust showing on the old matrix.

I noted the two halves were stuck together with instant gasket so I cleaned that off and applied some new. I imagine it is to stop any whistling from small gaps.

Matrix is back in along with a new thermostat whilst the coolant was out.

 

[DLax69]

Ah. The thermostat...my old nemesis...

 

[Advancedme]

Ah. The thermostat...my old nemesis...

Not as easy as it looks.
Thermostat was ******* my wrists

 

[DLax69]

Not as easy as it looks.
Thermostat was ******* my wrists

Yes. I just busted the housing into several shards with a pipe wrench when I had enough fiddling.

 

[philw696]

Yes. I just busted the housing into several shards with a pipe wrench when I had enough fiddling.

You have to treat her like a woman Dennis.
Thinking maybe a little more practice with women first before Maseratis

 

[Nibby]

Obviously I can’t guarantee it but half a bottle of K-Seal will sort most heater matrix drips out. Put some in after I noticed(and smelt) a leak when I got back from Sywell last June, not leaked a drop since.
It’s one expensive problem out the way, and stops the usual naysayers beating 4200 prices down by continuing mentioning it on places like Bring A Trailer when one comes up for auction.
Just need a cheaper option for clutch wear and suspension parts and our cars will shoot up in value, lol