This is my first major repair. I am not upset. However, I can't find any guides to how to replace it! Help! I always avoided the HVAC system on my prior cars. I found one thread with pictures here, but I can't find it again. Much appreciated

Hello and welcome.

Sorry it's in such sad circumstances.

This may be the thread you'd seen before.

You also might want to take a look at this one.

You can download a workshop manual for the european cars from the downloads section of this forum. Yours will be different as it's a North American model, but I'd expect the arrangements for accessing the heater core to be broadly similar.

You start by removing the seats, both doors, the steering wheel & column, most of the interior trim forward of the seats, the dash and the front crossmember inside the car. Then you can start to see the rabbit. Plan on a couple of days work if you know what you're doing.

If Fiat had set out with the express intention of making this job as difficult as possible, they couldn't have done a better job.

You could be forgiven for thinking this post is an April Fool. Sadly, it isnt.

HI and welcome, are you saying your heater matrix has failed?, water in the car on the carpet, mine has just failed and I've replaced it(really quite easily) I was going to do a guide but did not, I will put up a series of posts tomorrow on how to do it, in the mean time order a new heater matrix, mine cost £22 delivered and order 3L of RED antifreeze. Check Carparts4less and Eurocarparts using their discount codes see which is cheaper, also order some "general purpose" red sealer.

I've found recently, AFTER I bought my matrix that the above suppliers don't list them at present! nor do shop4parts so finding one maybe an issue?

This one is suitable for the 1.2(maybe others)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DRR09042-...el:500&hash=item5b1c8eddc3:g:2DQAAOSwEgVWSIYS

Sorry did not see you were in the USA a quick look on Ebay USA shows matrix's from the UK listed.

IF its the same as mine and the matrix is removable in the same way, then its a 2 hour job, not like the "blend door" horror story/job, even with AC? remember when I post pics they will be from right hand drive.

jrkitching said:

Hello and welcome.

Sorry it's in such sad circumstances.

This may be the thread you'd seen before.

You also might want to take a look at this one.

You can download a workshop manual for the european cars from the downloads section of this forum. Yours will be different as it's a North American model, but I'd expect the arrangements for accessing the heater core to be broadly similar.

You start by removing the seats, both doors, the steering wheel & column, most of the interior trim forward of the seats, the dash and the front crossmember inside the car. Then you can start to see the rabbit. Plan on a couple of days work if you know what you're doing.

If Fiat had set out with the express intention of making this job as difficult as possible, they couldn't have done a better job.

You could be forgiven for thinking this post is an April Fool. Sadly, it isnt.

Click to expand...

Standard procedure for pretty much all cars. I got a tour on the production line of the factory yesterday and what were they doing to the shells as a first step? Installing the wiring loom and heater matrix.

Ok I'm tired but here's a quick guide text first then pics
Remove the two small trim panels either side of the centre console 3 Torx head bolts/screws one side 1 drivers side.
Prise up the front gear gaiter plastic trim and lift up out of way no need to remove, remove the two small silver cross head screws being careful you don't drop them into the heat stick/selector.
Remove the two large Torx head bolts from the top of the main center trim and the lower ones each side and remove the large central trim .
The heater matrix cover is held by 2 bolts at the front and 1 near the rear that's hard to see, remove all 3 and the cover, now you can see the pipes and matrix connection.
Its up to you if you replace the pipes that go through the bulkhead I did but it crossed my mind you could get away using the originals with new sealing O rings (supplied with new one) and some sealer.
Drain all the coolent by disconnecting the lower hose a quick disconnect fitting is fitted pull up and remove the clip then pull off hose from below.
Remove the bolt holding the plastic hose assembly to the matix whilst pulling out the matrix from the dash pull/wiggle the pipes connection apart note loss of coolent
Fit new matrix the same way wiggling the matrix and pipes to get it to fit using new pipes or original with new one rings and sealer.
Replace all trim parts and refill water/anti freeze bleed air out of the heater hose whilst filling u der bonnet check water level for several days later.

More pics

The last picture shows the new pipes going through the bulkhead which the ones fron the engine connect to, if you do replace the plastic ones as shown note the clips securing the rubber pipes can be hard to remove but "snap open" with force once you get the knack new clips required