Heater matrix

[notsofast]

The heater matrix has gone on my 2001 DW8 1.9 diesel Berlingo van.  I've got the impression that it's a pig of a job to change, and I'm not experienced mechanically (though I'm good with my hands). Is it a lost cause? I don't want to fork out hundreds to a garage, but I don't want to lose the van. To complicate matters, a local garage told me last year that the head gasket is starting to fail.

[Tomcat3]

If you have a search through the forum there is a guide with pictures on how to do the job if I remember. It was a few years back from memory.

[Gryffindor]

On the M59 I think I remember reading once that the job involves removing most of the dashboard, so not a pig of a job as such, just very tedious, and very expensive in terms of labour if a garage does it. The M49 is similar in some ways but I have no idea about its heater matrix.

If your van is good in other respects then it might be worth forking out for such repairs even if they cost more than the van is supposedly worth - they will also cost a lot less than a replacement van, plus you'd have all the uncertainties that go with buying one.

Maybe start with having a mechanical inspection done, to see what condition it really is in generally, i.e. what other jobs might eat out of your wallet once you've done these ones.

[notsofast]

If you have a search through the forum there is a guide with pictures on how to do the job if I remember. It was a few years back from memory.

I found a thread with photos, though it's for a 2008 model, so not the M49. Will the M49 be similar?

I do have a Haynes manual, though I've read elsewhere that Haynes manuals are not highly regarded (also the manual says that an assistant is required, which isn't encouraging...)

[notsofast]

On the M59 I think I remember reading once that the job involves removing most of the dashboard, so not a pig of a job as such, just very tedious, and very expensive in terms of labour if a garage does it. The M49 is similar in some ways but I have no idea about its heater matrix.

If your van is good in other respects then it might be worth forking out for such repairs even if they cost more than the van is supposedly worth - they will also cost a lot less than a replacement van, plus you'd have all the uncertainties that go with buying one.

Maybe start with having a mechanical inspection done, to see what condition it really is in generally, i.e. what other jobs might eat out of your wallet once you've done these ones.

I bought a new van last year, so I'm keeping this old one for sentimental reasons (I bought it new 20 years ago), and because I like it (it's my kind of vehicle - a basic chugger). The plan is to do minimal mileage and hopefully keep costs down. I'm not averse to spending money on it - I spent over £300 last month on various MOT-related work - but I'd lilke to avoid lots of big bills by doing stuff myself when practical. The head gasket will need changing at some point, and the radiator has a minor leak too (the garage thinks that might be due to excessive pressure due to the head gasket going)

[oilyrag]

When you say the matrix is 'gone' - is that because it's leaking ? If you're keeping the van as a spare and not worried about having the heater on in the Summer then simply connect the two heater supply/return pipes in the engine bay, bulkhead area, to one another, so by-passing the matrix. Alternatively clamp the pipes with two metal plates and block the supply/return.

[notsofast]

When you say the matrix is 'gone' - is that because it's leaking ? If you're keeping the van as a spare and not worried about having the heater on in the Summer then simply connect the two heater supply/return pipes in the engine bay, bulkhead area, to one another, so by-passing the matrix. Alternatively clamp the pipes with two metal plates and block the supply/return.

Yes it's leaking - the driver's footwell is always damp, and if I turn the heating on when it's cold, a visible mist comes out of the vents (and the windscreen fogs up, lol). I'm not too bothered about having heating at the moment - I'm driving less than 10 miles per week in the winter, just to keep the battery charged. But I am bothered about the damp footwell (a corrosion risk?) and breathing in ethylene glycol anti-freeze fumes.

If I disconnect the heater pipes in one of the ways you describe, what will happen to the fluid inside the matrix?

[Gryffindor]

If it wasn't leaking I'd suggest also putting a short length of tube across the matrix pipes. But because it is, maybe you'd need to flush the fluid out of the matrix by pumping air into one of the pipes first. Hopefully most fluid will come out of the other pipe, not into your footwell.

If you did decide to fix the matrix, and if it does involve removing a lot of dashboard, setting aside a weekend (or however long is needed) to DIY would certainly save you a lot of money. Try getting a repair quote from a garage and then get a price for a new matrix, to compare.

[oilyrag]

As Rasputin says, you can get the water out with a blast of air, even from a forecourt pump. Just a thought - if the rad has a weep too, might it be worth trying a pot of RadWeld - it costs little & no dismantling - and it is now a pretty effective sealant. Go for the more expensive one - I have used it with success Good luck!

[notsofast]

Thanks for all the comments .
It looks like my best option at the moment is to block the supply/return pipes as per oilyrag's comment. I'm not very familiar with how these things are constructed, but if I disconnect the pipes I'm thinking won't there always be fluid coming out of the matrix, even if I pump air in as per Rasputin? Especially as the coolant is under too much pressure due to the failing head gasket?
Btw, what kind of metal plate or clamping device would be best?
(PS I posted this comment before seeing oilyrag's comment above)