Technical Heater matrix testing and sourcing

[nitro_warrior]

I think I have a leaking heater matrix and was planning on replacing it for my spare. Is there a good testing method? I wired mine up to the garden hose and with a gentle flow coming out, closed the valve. It leaked a lot, but maybe that was too much pressure, are you best to just fill and let gravity do it's thing?

Either way i'm reluctant to swap it(/probably screwed it) any recomendations for a cheap source?

In the meantime i have just bypassed it so hopefully it will at least stop leaking. Glad the suns out to keep me warm!

 

[VmanC]

Ideally you would use a pressure tester to pump it up to normal running pressure, without one I would probably run the engine up to temperature and have a look around then.
If you do need a matrix you could go for new, second hand or a repair at a radiator reconditioners. If you want a second hand one I may be able to help.

 

[varesecrazy]

Hi,
it's a lot more straightforward than on MOST cars , so I would fit a new one - if you can find one,
however as you'll know, even a used one failing would not soak your carpets / feet,
I stripped mine out only to find it was the plastic manifold cracked - the matrix was fine,
Charlie

 

[nitro_warrior]

Thanks for the replies so far. Does anyone know what the difference between the heater matrices with black and white valves? Mine have white valves but I've seem them advertised with black valves, they look slightly different. Are they interchangeable?

 

[dave]

some where like this http://www.scotrad.co.uk/ would probaly test for free, my local place does

 

[nitro_warrior]

That's not a bad shout, the only thing is both my matrices are pretty rusty looking and I think I would be better of replacing.

Now I had a though... cinquecento heater matrixs look about the same size, they also don't have a heater tap (which are prone to crack) If it fits I could wire up a taxi heater tap which is a simple inline metal unit. I could also get the parts for less than a Panda unit.

Can anyone confirm if the Cinquecento unit is the same(ish) size as the Panda's?

 

[nitro_warrior]

Should of known it wasn't the matrix. It was the heater tap, cracked at the usual place. Through a complete lack of any new replacements on ebay/online, and not wanting to waste my time even phoning Fiat Edinburgh. I fixed the old one by melting along the crack with a soldering iron and a liberal application of a good 2 part epoxy. Fingers crossed seems to be working. Praying to the Panda Gods that I have at last conquered my problematic cooling....

 

[Giacosa]

Hey up Nitro. Ive probably got one from the usual source if your needing it.

 

[nitro_warrior]

Hey up Nitro. Ive probably got one from the usual source if your needing it.

Cheers, I'll let you know if I need it. Seems to be working for now. Successfully made it to Glasgow and back today, relatively drama free. Next job will be sorting out your old doors and bonnet.