HOW TO: Heater Matrix Repair

MaserCoupe

Member
Messages
564
What a drain!!!:D.......However to quote the Jamaican Olympic bob sleigh team “it’s cool runnins man”.........A trimmed down 20litre Plastic container is perfect to collect the old coolant (around 11.5 litres in the system according to the handbook) so no need to jack the Italian stallion up for clearance to the plug. Perfect time for a coffee....and a cake as it drains. Next stop undo the matrix pipes and have lots of rags for residue coolant.....
 

Attachments

  • 8480437B-AABA-44D6-81BF-E37F722300FE.jpeg
    8480437B-AABA-44D6-81BF-E37F722300FE.jpeg
    831.8 KB · Views: 46
  • 959712F4-932B-4D7E-A8D4-6D38FE479E03.jpeg
    959712F4-932B-4D7E-A8D4-6D38FE479E03.jpeg
    1,011.1 KB · Views: 62

MaserCoupe

Member
Messages
564
God bless Magneti Marelli........Si Si Maurizio!!! Izz, molto, molto bene qualita!!!.....An old one sees the light of day for the first time since factory install in 2005, so glad I caught it before it decided to wet itself. Foam edge ribbing felt moist (ooh err) and a slight whiff of antifreeze but thankfully nothing in the holder or ducting or carpeting....not quite at the final furlong but getting there...:D 56137
 
Last edited:

MaserCoupe

Member
Messages
564
Out with the old and in with the new! A lesson learnt....the foam strips and the foam around the base of the pipes act as a cushion from vibration. As I noticed a slight movement without them on a dry test fit within the casing. That’s where the fractures and leaks happen (where the plastic meets the core....with the foam strips in place it’s now snug as a bug in a rug.. I also noticed a bead of black sealant on the perimeter of the casing when installing the new core. So out came the sealant and I ran a bead in the groove.
 
Last edited:

MaserCoupe

Member
Messages
564
Nearly all back together today, except for the seats and Satnav unit....as I wanted to spend this afternoon and evening tending to the sticky bits. Ashtray lid and surrounds, plus the plastic Nav disc cover. Funny enough the steering cowl was still like new as was the dash top vent grill....

Methylated spirit and a microfibre cloth was ideal to strip the tacky goo (and a little kinder on the plastics). I really can’t stand this “luxury touch” rubber finish Shyte rubbish.......it sucks!! Who were they kidding on a £67K automobile....Hey Mario!! Wadda misstaykaa to mayka! It’s crapissimmo!!

So a quick clean and then a light coat of primer (and I mean a very light coat) and when it dried a coat of Matt black finish... the results were really good and now the cockpit is looking a little more spruced up.

Tomorrow final fit of seats then a whizz round the villages to check the coolant level (after the drain) and check no leaks on the matrix.

This whole experience has been a labour of love, learning and not forgetting to mention the money saved (that I’ll spend straight on Shell Optimax) and a night out with Mrs French as a thanks in helping me put the dashboard back in and keeping the coffees coming..

There is something really satisfying in having not one washer or bolt left over and seeing things go back and slot in. A good hoover tomorrow and a clean..(the car not me!)

So excited to drive it tomorrow I can barely contain myself in wanting hear that V8 roar again!! Grrrrrrrrrrr!:boss:
 
Last edited:

philw696

Member
Messages
25,123
Good Work and totally agree I would be lost without my Ms French here in Laval.
Looks like were in for some nice weather too for Easter so its win win.
 

MaserCoupe

Member
Messages
564
Good Work and totally agree I would be lost without my Ms French here in Laval.
Looks like were in for some nice weather too for Easter so its win win.
Yep it’s glorious here too and thankyou Phil yes I feel the same way about My Mrs French.. Well today was final fettle on the cracked Plastic cover, well cracked in several places, a quick clean a lot of patience and new found wet and dry skills with Holts instant no mix filler, a quick lick of primer then Matt black and hey presto! A before pic.
 

Attachments

  • F947937E-1C5F-4371-B912-624285CD8F4F.jpeg
    F947937E-1C5F-4371-B912-624285CD8F4F.jpeg
    1 MB · Views: 51
Last edited:

TimR

Member
Messages
2,656
Excuse the greenhorn question but please tell me, that isnt a plastic/alu replacement you just shoehorned in there, is it ?
Major undertaking...Id have thought the all metal Saab version was the go ?
 

MaserCoupe

Member
Messages
564
Excuse the greenhorn question but please tell me, that isnt a plastic/alu replacement you just shoehorned in there, is it ?
Major undertaking...Id have thought the all metal Saab version was the go ?
Hi TimR, yeah I never really looked at the Saab version or considered an all aluminium core and ends, really the Nissens was the way to go and I can vouch for the quality............no hot metal Swedish Saab rub massage for my Maser ta!! :D It (the core) all sits in a Plastic slot and constantly running engine temp, now I wonder why Maserati opted to have plastic ends plus the plastic protruding pipes?? PS it wasn’t a greenhorn question....
 
Last edited:

MaserCoupe

Member
Messages
564
Oh right...Maserati snobbery !! lol
Car looks great on 19"s...;)
LOL!! :):D! Nah no snobbery just saw the nissen recommendation on here and was a good quality route to take. Is your car in need of the matrix doing?

Thanks TimR, yeah it does look great with the Mercury grey GS rims. Those were a factory fit and paint on the final cars. I think the final 10 or less (I’m still researching that figure) of the 89 worldwide facelifts got those. I’m loving it, what a spectacular car for the money for not a lot being made and available as a 3 pedal...
 
Last edited:

TimR

Member
Messages
2,656
Interesting..Doesnt look like the ride height has been messed with either...? Looks very "stealth".
No, dont ask then I wont have to tempt fate. Mines a 2006 car so pretty much expecting a matrix leak tbh. I got the Saab from this forum too..
PLastic is quite able to take tempreature these days. I undestood it to be a materials mismatch that was causing the problem. It wont harm to go the all alu route Im sure......perhaps its just a quality thing..!
 

FIFTY

Member
Messages
3,100
Well done MC for doing a job which even I didnt fancy tackling... I gave mine to AV engineering who did a stellar job and eliminated various electrical gremlins that the leak had caused
 

MaserCoupe

Member
Messages
564
Interesting..Doesnt look like the ride height has been messed with either...? Looks very "stealth".
No, dont ask then I wont have to tempt fate. Mines a 2006 car so pretty much expecting a matrix leak tbh. I got the Saab from this forum too..
PLastic is quite able to take tempreature these days. I undestood it to be a materials mismatch that was causing the problem. It wont harm to go the all alu route Im sure......perhaps its just a quality thing..!
Hi TimR, yes good observation, totally standard ride height. I’m guessing if you want the thing lowered then you might as well wait for the springs to break as that is another one of those “Maserati” things!! :lol2::lol::lol2:
Any coolant whiff get on it and Keep an eye on these bad boys below! Now Look what you’ve gone and made me go and do! I never get on my hands and knees for anyone.....:D
After removing the floor mat, Just lift out (by means of three screws on the carpet) the carpet panel furthest forward in the passenger footwell with the plastic vent and you’ll see the jubilee clips and the matrix hose. I just had this on my mind and didn’t want to get caught with my trousers by my ankles. ;)
 

Attachments

  • A7B56976-57B5-4240-A863-BEB63D744F2C.jpeg
    A7B56976-57B5-4240-A863-BEB63D744F2C.jpeg
    615.6 KB · Views: 53
  • 15D58D30-213C-4EE3-A457-468C1FE7923C.jpeg
    15D58D30-213C-4EE3-A457-468C1FE7923C.jpeg
    1.2 MB · Views: 50
Last edited:

MaserCoupe

Member
Messages
564
Well done MC for doing a job which even I didnt fancy tackling... I gave mine to AV engineering who did a stellar job and eliminated various electrical gremlins that the leak had caused
Fifty thank you very much for your kind words, so satisfying and relieved to have done it. A great learning curve and I couldn’t thank this forum enough for sharing their insights and experiences......I just thought WTF I’m going for it, I can do this and from that felt a sense of achievement for tackling it. Somehow I love this car that little bit more, dunno how else to explain it...

So what have I learned....
  1. There is more to the SportsMaserati forum than just the Brexit thread... :lol2::read1::lol::lol2:
  2. There are some right decent guys and gals here
  3. Knowledge is a great thing when it is shared
  4. Nothing to fear, as everything is fixable or there is a work-around to it, if not
  5. Finesse hands when working with Italian plastic interiors or anything Italian....
  6. I was inspired by watching others on here
  7. Money saved is always a good thing
  8. The actual learning, that I couldn’t put a price on nor the willingness to try and open the mind to it.
  9. The child in me, the Curiosity of how things work and why, is irresistible to me.
  10. That I’m knackered!! But in a great way!:D
 
Last edited:

jlw06

New Member
Messages
1
With thanks to John Emment / Maverick for his in-depth guide below:

Pictures to follow...

Heater matrix replacment

Step 1: Sseats removal


  1. Move seats forward and remove the 2 bolts

    View attachment 42174
  2. Move the seats as far back as you can and remove the 2 bolts

    View attachment 42175
  3. Disconect the sockets under each seat 1 pasenger 2 driver
Step 2: Battery isolate

  1. Open both doors so that the windows drop . The reason for this is to allow you to open and shut the doors with out damaging the glass with the power off.
  2. Isolate the batery by turning the switch in the boot.

    View attachment 42176
Step 3: Armrest consol removal

  1. Remove the rear vents by carefully pulling them out and than remove the 2 screws.

    View attachment 42177
  2. Remove the ashtry and disconect the conector and then the coin tray rubber matt and remove the 2 screws.

    View attachment 42178
  3. Pull the hand brake up and unpop the popper on the hand brake gaitor.
  4. Carefully lift up the year of the consol and unplug the nti unit and the electric mirror control connector.

    View attachment 42179

    View attachment 42180
  5. Lift the consol out being carefull to ease the hand brake though the gaitor.
Step 4: Roof side covers removal

  1. These just pull off

    View attachment 42181
Step 5. A pillar cover removal

  1. Remove screw and lift out

    View attachment 42182
Step 6: Dash top centre vent removal

  1. Remove the 2 screws and lift out.

    View attachment 42183
Step 7: Dash top removal

  1. Remove the 2 screws under the centre dash top vent.

    View attachment 42184
  2. Remove the 2 srews 1 at the top of each end.

    View attachment 42185
  3. Lift the dash top off and disconect the sensor.

    View attachment 42186
Step 8: Reverse lever panel removal

  1. Remove the 2 screws.

    View attachment 42188
  2. Lift out and disconect the conector.
Step 9: Lcd screen removal

  1. This just prizes out use a soft prizing tool.
  2. Disconet the connectors.

    View attachment 42189
Step 10: Clock

  1. Unplug the clock though the opening left by the lcd screen.
Step 11: Heater control panel removal

  1. Remove 5 screwsand lift out slightly.

    View attachment 42190
  2. Disconect the connectors.

    View attachment 42191
Step 12: Pasenger airbag removal

  1. Remove the 4 bolts from the top of the module.

    View attachment 42192
  2. Very carefully pull out the airbag modual towards you and remove the 3 torx screws and unplug the connector.

    View attachment 42193
  3. Remove and store somewhere safe (explosive)
Step 13: Glovebox light and petrol release removal

  1. This just pulls out and than disconect the connectors and push cable back though hole.

    View attachment 42194
Step 14: Steering wheels clams removal

  1. Remove 5 srews from underneath.

    View attachment 42195
  2. Remove the 2 screws from the sides 1 at 9.00 oclock and 1 at 3.00 oclock , do this by rotating the streering wheel by 90 deg both ways.

    View attachment 42196
Step 15: Speedometre removal

  1. Remove the 2 bolts on the steel bracket at the top.

    View attachment 42197
  2. Remove the 4 screws 2 on top marked with arrow and 2 underneath.

    View attachment 42198

    View attachment 42199
  3. Pull forward and disconect very cafefully all the connectors.

    View attachment 42200
Step 16: Steering wheel removal

  1. Remove the two torx screws on the rear of the steering wheel this will release the airbag than unplug the conector please. Handle with care.(explosive)
  2. Unplug the white conector and earth.
  3. Remove the 4 bolts holding the streering wheel on.

    View attachment 42201
  4. Remove streering wheel
  5. Remove the 4 screws holding the padles on.
  6. Remove the 5 screws and the centre nut.
  7. Carefully remove the copper horn ring.
  8. Using a three legged puller remove the alloy boss again be carefull and feed the wires though .
  9. Remove the black ring ,this just pulls off.

    View attachment 42202
  10. Disconect all the conectors at the back of the indicator assy.

    View attachment 42203

    View attachment 42204
  11. Remove the 5 screws holding the stalk on and remove.

    View attachment 42205
Step 17: Diagnostic port removal

  1. Remove the 2 screws holding it on. Located to the right underside or the dash drivers side.

    View attachment 42206
Step 18: Headlight switch and height conectors removal

  1. Disconect the connectors.

    View attachment 42207
Step 19: Internal temp sensor disconect

  1. Disconect the white conector though the centre consol. Sensor is located on the dash to the left of the steering wheel.

    View attachment 42208
Step 20: Sat nav receiver

  1. Remove the right centre dash air vent and carefully push the reciever down behind the dash to the opening in the cenrter consol.
Step 21: Airbag deactivation switch removal

  1. Prize out the switch and disconect the connector.

    View attachment 42209
Step 22: Dash removal

  1. Remove the 3 bolts alond the top of dash.

    View attachment 42210

    View attachment 42211

    View attachment 42212
  2. Remove the 2 bolts either side of the centre ventstowards the back.

    View attachment 42213
  3. Remove the 2 outer vents and remove the 2 screws 1 from each side.

    View attachment 42214
  4. Remove the 2 screws at the back of the steel box where the pasenger airbag was situated.

    View attachment 42215
  5. Slacken off the nuts but dont remove from down by your feet both sides lower a pillar.

    View attachment 42216
  6. Remove the 2 screws down by the bottom of the centre consol by the hand brake.
  7. Now its time to remove the dash, caefully remove the whole dash out of the car by pulling towards you.
  8. You car should nowlook like this weel done!

    View attachment 42217
Step 23: Heater matrix box removal

  1. Remove the 18 screws holding all the pipes on and remove the pipes.

    View attachment 42218
  2. Unlpug all these connectors.

    View attachment 42219

    View attachment 42220
  3. Remove the 2 screws on the steel bracket on the drivers side.

    View attachment 42221
  4. Remove the 2 screws and unplug the 2 connectors.

    View attachment 42222
  5. Pass the loom and conectors you have just disconected though this hole.

    View attachment 42223
  6. Remove 2 screws on passenger side.

    View attachment 42224

    View attachment 42225
  7. Remove these 2 srews on drivers side.

    View attachment 42226
  8. Remove these 2 screws at the to.

    View attachment 42227
  9. Its now time to drain your coolant using the drain plug situated on the near side of the radiator.
  10. Pull the matrix box towards you slightly and disconect the 2 coolant pipes , you now should be able to remove the matrix box from the car.
Step 24: changing the matrix

  1. Remove the 5 screws lift off the top of the box and remove the matrix.

    View attachment 42228
Congratulations you have sucsesfully changed your matrix now its time to put it all back.

Refit in reverse 24 to 1.
Dear Conaero,

I need to replace the actuator (air mix) on the left side of the clim (visible on phot 6).
I guess I don't need to do all these steps (a bit too much for me...).
What is needed to replace it ?
Thanks,
Jean
 

Zep

Moderator
Messages
9,110
Dear Conaero,

I need to replace the actuator (air mix) on the left side of the clim (visible on phot 6).
I guess I don't need to do all these steps (a bit too much for me...).
What is needed to replace it ?
Thanks,
Jean

I think that you might be the first person that needs to do this, so you will probably have to follow all of the steps until you are able to replace the actuator and then tell us! :)