Heater Matrix

dragon · Post by **dragon** » Tue Nov 18, 2003 8:49 pm

OK, the result of today's Volvo trip is that the heater matrix IS leaking somewhere, just not into the cabin (possibly it has a leak at the top so it leaks vapour and not liquid?) - I own a turbo. How much (in hours for a good mechanic) is involved in replacing it? Volvo have quoted me silly money for fitting one, plus a few other bits and bobs.

On the same theme, who has any garages to recommend in the Sheffield/Barnsley/Wakefield area, as I think it MUST be cheaper to get it done that way...

martinholmesuk · Post by **martinholmesuk** » Tue Nov 18, 2003 9:47 pm

If mine is fixed before yours then I'll let you know how long it takes them!

How much did volvo want to install a new one?

dragon · Post by **dragon** » Tue Nov 18, 2003 9:54 pm

for fitting all the stuff mentioned in my other thread... about Â£660 !

martinholmesuk · Post by **martinholmesuk** » Tue Nov 18, 2003 10:11 pm

doug_480_turbo · Post by **doug_480_turbo** » Tue Nov 18, 2003 10:20 pm

volvo dealerships are the second most expensive place for labour.(i think or the they use to be anyway)
Its like 65 + VAT

its daylight robbery

look in the yellow pages or something like that for an indepent volvo specialist. Cut the labour cost by more than half!!!!!!!

pol · Post by **pol** » Tue Nov 18, 2003 10:26 pm

Why arent you doing it yourselfs??
Thought that was the idea of this place!
Come on, stop being babies and get that dash apart!

pol

dragon · Post by **dragon** » Tue Nov 18, 2003 10:31 pm

a) no time (and it needs doing quickly)
b) probably wont have the right tools
c) don't have enough info about how it comes out (like I'm trusting Haynes on this)
d) I have a turbo (which seemingly makes it a LOT harder)

martinholmesuk · Post by **martinholmesuk** » Tue Nov 18, 2003 10:32 pm

mine is under warranty :p

TheXile · Post by **TheXile** » Tue Nov 18, 2003 11:20 pm

Alright Gaz,
I live near Worksop and use / swear by my Volvo specialist.
South Carlton Motors, 01909 730386.
50 High Road, Carlton in Lindrick, a few miles north of Worksop, and the main time served mechanic is Simon Hopkinson.
Good luck.
Gedda

dragon · Post by **dragon** » Wed Nov 19, 2003 12:05 am

Yeah, I used to go there when I lived in Worksop - might go back there if I cant find anything closer

Cheers for the phone number

gerrsvolvo · Post by **gerrsvolvo** » Wed Nov 19, 2003 10:50 am

Hi Dragon

It is a simple straight foprward job for once.
Even on the turbo.
If you are quick and experienced a little less than 2 hours
If you are not an afternoon.
Tools and material needed
-simple screwdrivers for trhe centerconsole and the jubileeclips
-a heatermatrix
-coolingfluid
-good quality textile tape about 1" widht (like the hockeyers use on their
stick)
- eventually new good quality jubileeclips
This is also a good time to think of renewing the hoses to the heatermatix.

Work involved
1- undo the 2 jubileeclips in the motorcompartment and take the two
hoses off
2- drain cooling fluid if neccesary
3- remove the centerconsole completely (that is the console where the
handbrake and gearlever is)
4- remove the sides left and right of the centerconsole under the
dashboard
5- take away the two plastic "tubes" that direct the air from the heater to
under the car these tubes are under the heater between the heater and
the central tunnel.
6- remove the screws that hold the underside of the heater (If i remember
correctly 3 left and 3 right)
7- pull out the heatermatrix

installing a new one is working in te reverse way but be carfull wen placing the "new" matrix it is a bit fiddly.

Good luck
gerrsvolvo

outside

volvofox · Post by **volvofox** » Wed Nov 19, 2003 12:26 pm

Yes dragon. You think to much. Stop thinking and act.
Yust start.

same with me I read all the fuss about sheared loose M8 bolts of the pulverized rearbumper frame, and I did not start this job but as fore yesterday (today my car got APK) I knew for two years this had to be done Luckyly they did not see this last time.

Afterall, this was an easyjob, with assistance from mr. Kev'sturbo it was done in all ease in an afternoon. Now what whas I afraid of ???? I sprayed the bolts in with WD 40 a few days before, and all went well.

Moral of this : Information can be usefull, but also countereffective, because you prejudged and afraid.

safe yourselves a lot of money and learn something.

Luck
JPF

dragon · Post by **dragon** » Wed Nov 19, 2003 3:38 pm

gerrsvolvo - thanks for the encouragement and advice - I wish I could do it, but I am on call this week for work, so won't be able to, and it can't wait over a week to get sorted.

Volvofox: I know - but I am paid to think before I act, so yeah it's a drag, but I do like to be clear on stuff before I start

As it happens, I think I have found a freindly independant Volvo specialist nearby - he certainly knew about the 480 and we had a good chat. I think it's going there to have it fixed...

chriskay · Post by **chriskay** » Fri Nov 21, 2003 10:13 am

Gerrsvolvo-- What's the textile tape for please? You make it sound so simple I think I'll do mine before it starts to leak.

gerrsvolvo · Post by **gerrsvolvo** » Fri Nov 21, 2003 12:53 pm

Hi Chriskay

I forgot to explauin that.
Sorry.

This is an old thing and mostly forgotten in teh garages.
It is to protect the hose on the place wher the jubileecip is.

If the hoses get older the chaper clips with more or less
sharp edges start to cut in the hose when these cliops are mounted
direct on the rubber of teh hose.

And you should be the first one who cannot find the leak in the coolingsystem because it is hidden by the jubileeclip
until the hose shares off completely with all the expensive effects.

If you see the older DAF 55 you see that DAF did the this protection
on his hoses. And I have never had a shaered off hose in teh region off the clip.

Good LUCK
Gerrsvolvo

volvofox · Post by **volvofox** » Fri Nov 21, 2003 9:39 pm

do you own a daf 55 coupe ?

I like em very much. I have a 66 coupe marathon, but nothing beats a 55 coupe. Specially the ones with convertable doors
.

thaks for the tip on the jubilee clips.

Luck
JPF

gerrsvolvo · Post by **gerrsvolvo** » Sat Nov 22, 2003 9:33 pm

Ho volvofox
I once long ago had one 55 coupe theh first type.
It had an LPG conversion on it I drove it aproxematly 80 000KM a year
It had one real drawback I needed ca. every 60 000KM a new or reconditioned startermotor.
It was tuned and one engine was destroyed by it by trowung a conrod trough the block near Kerpen in Germany.
I died after a ''severe'' accident.
Gerrsvolvo

dragon · Post by **dragon** » Tue Nov 25, 2003 4:24 pm

Well, I had mine fixed today - in the week since I took the carpets up and told you lot it was clean and dry, the leak got worse and it has wetted one of the footwells - the garage have replaced the matrix and dried it up as best possible, but I think I'll spend a few hours at the weekend with a hair dryer in the car paking absolutely sure evrything is as dry as possible. Came home from garage (about 3 miles) with heater on half -the windows cleared within minutes

and by the time I got to where I was going the car was roasting hot inside, so they definately replaced it

- Also had the 2 front ball joints renewed and a new wheel bearing (front) fitted - the total cost was just slightly more than a third of the (minimum) price Volvo were quoting. Plus the garage know the cars (the owner has a 460) and they are dead friendly, so I think my car's found a new maintenence home for jobs I can't or won't tackle

chris1roll · Post by **chris1roll** » Tue Nov 25, 2003 5:59 pm

Good news mate

Seemed to make a lot of difference then.

Its good when you find somewhere you can trust.

dragon · Post by **dragon** » Tue Nov 25, 2003 8:52 pm

Did I mention they were cheap as chips? Well OK, not that cheap, but good enough for me

Â£240 for everything mentioned above

Volvo 480 Club Europe

Heater Matrix

Heater Matrix

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changing heatermatrix