Knackered heater matrix

Level 4 User Joined: 14 Aug 2005 Posts: 80

Took the carpets out of my Clio 16v to clean them and noticed the soundproofing was soaked.

New heater matrix time!

It must of only gone recently, as the carpet wasn't wet.

Obviously this is a pain in the rear to do, what with the removal of the dash, does anybody have any tips to help me?

I realise that I will have to bleed the system afterwards, I assume that any air in the new matrix would be removed by doing this?

Really looking forward to doing this!!!

Spammer Joined: 27 Jul 2004 Posts: 5717

read my project on the chamade ,you dont need to remove the dash

Level 4 User Joined: 14 Aug 2005 Posts: 80

Thanks.

I suppose it will be a bit of trial and error, as I have no idea how much room I will need behind the clio dash.

Spammer Joined: 27 Jul 2004 Posts: 5717

talking from the chamade assuming its the same job more or less ,you will have to get all the dash bolts out to pull the dash out as far as it goes .than you will have to squeeze the whole matrix asemmbly from the mid console,you will have to get the gearstick surrounding as well though ,easy enough Wink

Level 4 User Joined: 14 Aug 2005 Posts: 80

Took that out when I took the carpet out.

I take it that the only bleed screw on the system is the one on the rad?

Cheers

Spammer Joined: 27 Jul 2004 Posts: 5717

not sure if thats the only one but that did the job nicely for me

Level 4 User Joined: 14 Aug 2005 Posts: 80

Cool.

I'll be giving this a bash on Sunday, can't do it before then as I have to build a new fence for my mates mum. Good timing eh!

At least I have my parents car to use.

Level 4 User Joined: 14 Aug 2005 Posts: 80

Just finished changing the matrix.

Wasn't too bad a job, managed to do it without breaking anything!

Only problem I had was getting the steering wheel nut out, why do Renault use a Torx head nut? It was pretty chewed up before I even attempted to do it, but used an extension bar and constant pressure and it finally gave.

The old matrix didn't look too bad, but it had only just gone, the water hadn't got to the carpet, so I don't suppose I would be able to see any damage.

Didn't have any problems with bleeding the system, used the method Chris described in his Chamade project with squeezing the hoses, that seemed to work quite well. Nice and hot pretty much straight away.

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

they only use torx bolt on the airbag wheels, the rest should all be a nut.

Level 4 User Joined: 14 Aug 2005 Posts: 80

Mine isn't an airbag model.

Would it matter if I carried on using this nut?

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

well it should have a nut then and not a torx bolt holding the wheel on.

probably did have an airbag but been binned if you have the torx set up.

Level 4 User Joined: 14 Aug 2005 Posts: 80

If my car used to have an airbag, I would have thought that I would have pre-tensioners and I don't.

Mines a '93.

Level 4 User Joined: 14 Aug 2005 Posts: 80

Just for your info.

Renault have replaced the steering wheel nut with the torx bolt.

Only 76p for a new one, so problem solved.

James