Wiff2110
Member
Hi, I have a leaking matrix on my 04 fiat motorhome did you get any replies on your questions? Kindly email me on [email protected]
Technical Dashboard removal - heater matrix
- Thread starter mikey72
- Start date
Currently reading:
Technical Dashboard removal - heater matrix
Wiff2110
Member
Hi, I have a leaking matrix on my 04 fiat motorhome did you get any replies on your questions? Kindly email me on [email protected]Hi Mikey
If you had been anywhere near Swindon I may have come and helped (stuck my nose in) unfortunately all I can do is wish you well.
Is it possible you could compare my notes and update/revise them and also take some photo's then it could go in the guides section.
I am now of the opinion that the cooling system on the Ducato must be just right, any reduction in it's efficiency leeds to problems, hence the ammount of heater matrix's being changed.
I would try Ebay for a replacement, Fiat wanted over £100 but I have seen a company on Ebay based in the West Mids selling at £50.
P.S. I am originally from Brownhills (via Cheshire and now in Swindon) does the accent come through in my typing?
Regards
MYTHING
Wiff2110
Member
Can you help me with some information on how to replace the heater matrix on my 04 fiat ducato. [email protected]
Thanks MYTHING!
Without your instructions I wouldn’t have known where to start. I’m in the middle of replacing the matrix on my 2.8D LHD 1999 Ducato and managed to remove my matrix without removing the whole heater box. I removed the lower trim and heater controls as described and disconnected the two pipes to the matrix in the engine bay without undoing the plate (plugging the inlet and outlet to the matrix to avoid spilling fluid). Inside the cab I removed two screws holding the matrix in place, a heater control linkage then had to be detached and a trim support plate (white piece of metal in my photos) needed to be flexed out of the way to allow me to slide it out.
My photos aren’t great but might help someone doing the same job, hopefully re-assembly won’t be too problematic. Waiting for a new matrix to arrive (cost less than £20!)
Without your instructions I wouldn’t have known where to start. I’m in the middle of replacing the matrix on my 2.8D LHD 1999 Ducato and managed to remove my matrix without removing the whole heater box. I removed the lower trim and heater controls as described and disconnected the two pipes to the matrix in the engine bay without undoing the plate (plugging the inlet and outlet to the matrix to avoid spilling fluid). Inside the cab I removed two screws holding the matrix in place, a heater control linkage then had to be detached and a trim support plate (white piece of metal in my photos) needed to be flexed out of the way to allow me to slide it out.
My photos aren’t great but might help someone doing the same job, hopefully re-assembly won’t be too problematic. Waiting for a new matrix to arrive (cost less than £20!)
Attachments
Hi sgb76,
Can you take step-by-step pictures as you put it all back together if it's not too late? I find the original instructions a little vague to get started such as locations of screws. Going to tackle this myself soon, since I have a dripping leak by passenger footwell in LHD.
Cheers
Ok sounds like your just about there, I also had to remove one of the heater linkages on the opposite side to the white support. In the engine bay I clamped the hoses and closed off the inlet and outlet to the matrix then removed the two screws holding the matrix in place inside the cab and it just slid out.
The fluid had been leaking from the bottom of the heater casing where it collects so I cleaned this out by squeezing my hand through the hole the matrix sits in. This was the part I ordered on eBay (check the number matches the one on the front of yours) quick delivery, under £15 and the old fiat/lancia parts packaging suggested it was old new stock.
Item no. 362884829940
Before replacing the lower dash and after re-connecting the pipes and topping fluid up (I lost very little fluid) I started the van and ran the heater on full heat for some time to make sure everything was working as it should (you’ll see the fluid filling the matrix through the plastic front).
The system needed a little more coolant added after.
The fluid had been leaking from the bottom of the heater casing where it collects so I cleaned this out by squeezing my hand through the hole the matrix sits in. This was the part I ordered on eBay (check the number matches the one on the front of yours) quick delivery, under £15 and the old fiat/lancia parts packaging suggested it was old new stock.
Item no. 362884829940
Before replacing the lower dash and after re-connecting the pipes and topping fluid up (I lost very little fluid) I started the van and ran the heater on full heat for some time to make sure everything was working as it should (you’ll see the fluid filling the matrix through the plastic front).
The system needed a little more coolant added after.
Attachments
sgb76 Thank you so much for the photos, really helpful. I will have to undo the linkages too just presume the swing out of the way. Did you remove the panel under the Gator to get a better view of the white support before you bent it? and did it bend back into position afterwards?
Good find on the spare part, much cheaper than the one I found at £50 from Coastal Motorhomes.
Just checking if we have the same problem, did your leak drip through the seam at the bottom of the casing to the right of the matrix? (if you are LHD)
Finally, I understand that you clamped the hoses to prevent spillage but can you be a bit more specific about what you mean when you said "closed off the inlet and outlet to the matrix"? Excuse me but I'm a real novice here and this will be my first major repair.
Cheers in advance, I will do a write up of the entire repair with photos for anyone doing this in future using your advice.
Good find on the spare part, much cheaper than the one I found at £50 from Coastal Motorhomes.
Just checking if we have the same problem, did your leak drip through the seam at the bottom of the casing to the right of the matrix? (if you are LHD)
Finally, I understand that you clamped the hoses to prevent spillage but can you be a bit more specific about what you mean when you said "closed off the inlet and outlet to the matrix"? Excuse me but I'm a real novice here and this will be my first major repair.
Cheers in advance, I will do a write up of the entire repair with photos for anyone doing this in future using your advice.
Hope this helps...
Did you remove the panel under the Gator to get a better view of the white support before you bent it?
I just removed the panel that covers the heater control (think I had to remove the clock and hazard warning trim first), I don’t remember any gator. Included a photo circling the one linkage I detached from its pivot - I chose not to undo the screw because it might have effected the heater set up.
did it bend back into position afterwards?
I didn’t have to flex it far so there was no distortion it just sprung back into place.
Just checking if we have the same problem, did your leak drip through the seam at the bottom of the casing to the right of the matrix? (if you are LHD)
Exactly the same.
I understand that you clamped the hoses to prevent spillage but can you be a bit more specific about what you mean when you said "closed off the inlet and outlet to the matrix"?
Novice too (Engineer not a mechanic) I plugged the two pipes that come out of the matrix, if you don’t it will spill inside the cab. (Circled in the attached photo)
Also... Some of the small 12v 1.2w lamps had blown on my heater controls so I replaced these at the same time as doing this job might be worth checking yours.
Did you remove the panel under the Gator to get a better view of the white support before you bent it?
I just removed the panel that covers the heater control (think I had to remove the clock and hazard warning trim first), I don’t remember any gator. Included a photo circling the one linkage I detached from its pivot - I chose not to undo the screw because it might have effected the heater set up.
did it bend back into position afterwards?
I didn’t have to flex it far so there was no distortion it just sprung back into place.
Just checking if we have the same problem, did your leak drip through the seam at the bottom of the casing to the right of the matrix? (if you are LHD)
Exactly the same.
I understand that you clamped the hoses to prevent spillage but can you be a bit more specific about what you mean when you said "closed off the inlet and outlet to the matrix"?
Novice too (Engineer not a mechanic) I plugged the two pipes that come out of the matrix, if you don’t it will spill inside the cab. (Circled in the attached photo)
Also... Some of the small 12v 1.2w lamps had blown on my heater controls so I replaced these at the same time as doing this job might be worth checking yours.
Last edited:
sgb76 that's really useful thank you so much pal, makes a lot more sense now. Not sure that my heater control ever had light bulbs but maybe that's because they've been blown this whole time. I'll have a look. Final questions before I order the part and tackle this:
What did you use to plug the matrix?
Do you have the box of the heater matrix part that you bought from ebay? wondering what brand it is wether it's original?
What did you use to plug the matrix?
Do you have the box of the heater matrix part that you bought from ebay? wondering what brand it is wether it's original?
You can plug them with anything that holds the coolant in I had some pipe insulation lying about that I tore a piece off and pushed in (it only needs to hold for a minute or two).
Haven’t got the box but it did look like a genuine fiat parts box, you could contact the seller they had food feedback.
Haven’t got the box but it did look like a genuine fiat parts box, you could contact the seller they had food feedback.
sgb76 Okay thanks. Messaged the seller.
I attached a photo of my setup, you can see that all I had to do was remove lower dash to reveal matrix, didn't have to remove heater controls or radio.
Also the matrix is circled in blue but my leak is dripping in the area circled in red under the blower motor I believe, is this same for you?
I attached a photo of my setup, you can see that all I had to do was remove lower dash to reveal matrix, didn't have to remove heater controls or radio.
Also the matrix is circled in blue but my leak is dripping in the area circled in red under the blower motor I believe, is this same for you?
