Heater matrix question (€5,000,000 reward for answer)

Ninja_scrotum

HI

My in-car heating is really driving (heheh) me insane. I've tried many a trick to fix it.

Tis a 98 Ibiza...

You know the two pipes that lead into the heater matrix, one for flow in and one for out.

Well...

I think my heater box might be blocked, so what would happen if I switched the two pipes? ie. Pull the inflow pipe out and put it on the outflow nozzle, and vice versa.

Could this dislodge a block of gunk that may be blocking my heater matrix?

I've tried almost every other option (thanks to many boardsies) to sort out my in-car heating.

msg11

Have you tired bringing it too someone who knows how to fix it ? lol

RoundyMooney

Yeah, you could swap them.

And then refill and bleed your cooling system without a clear diagnosis of the problem, only to suffer a relapse of the initial problem, due to either;

(a) Circulating the gunk (if there is any) the other way,

(b) Causing a build up of pressure in the system resulting in a ruptured matrix (generally a weak point in the system) and skin grafts aplenty (hint: this is not pleasant on a Saturday night, when your date of choice is wearing hotpants-I'm not joking, an unprecented failure of an oft forgotten component is never fun),

(c) Best case scenario: Copious head scratching as to why it didn't work, because of a persistent air lock.

Alternatively, you could let a pro look at it.

Ninja_scrotum

RoundyMooney wrote: »

Ninja_scrotum, you are one cool motherfcuker

Wow, thanks.

RoundyMooney wrote: »

Alternatively, you could let a pro look at it.

Or, I could sort out this airlock myself.... The car only cost me €200, I'm not bringing it to a pro who will probably charge me €200 for fixing it. No fecking way!!!

So how can you get an airlock out of the heater matrix?


Cheers

itarumaa

Firstly, are you sure that the whole system is not full of air,

have you checked the hoses, do they feel empty or full.

Is the heater matrix higher than expansion tank? if not (like usually) then I cannot see how there could be air in matrix if you just get the air out of the whole system.

Oh yeah, if the matrix failes all the (hot) water gets out and inside to the car, it sucks, trust me I know:(

Ninja_scrotum

Cheers lads, the 5million euro is hidden in a junkies bum on grafton street.

DublinDilbert

Are you sure there isn't a bleeder for the heater matrix?? if the heater matrix is higher than the engine block there should be a bleeder for it... it usually mounted up high on the bulk head on the engine size.

If the heater matrix is mounted quite high, no idea if it is on an ibiza, you could place the car up on ramps, or facing up-hill, let it cool down then try and bleed it then, this should help get all the air out...

cormac_byrne

Attach agarden hose to inlet, another hose + bucket to outlet, turn on tap and see if that blasts out any crap stuck in there. Also it could be a problem with the heater valve (which turns on and off the flow to the heater matrix).

If it's an old car with a history of a leaky radiator, the matrix might be gunged up with radweld.

itarumaa

If the matrix is higher than expansion tank, then:

take the coolant out of the system
remove expansion tank from its connections
raise the expansion tank and use something to attach it so high you can get
put the coolant in slowly and try to get air out
put the expansion tank back to its original place.