ademid

Started to get a radiator water smell in the car but not outside. also no visible water leeks. Thought I'd check my theory by putting the fans on when the engine had warmed up (on hot) and got a small puff of steam.....

Anyway went to Subaru and bloke reckoned the last one he did came to about £600... when I picked myself up of the floor I thought I'd ask on hear if he's taking the hit and miss or if this is the nightmare job he says it is.

Any help appreciated, willing to have go myself if it's not to bad (did the last clutch change myself with a little help from a friend).

Cheers

Ade

dualtech

Hi .

Same problem 3 weeks ago..

Could of got another matrix for £25 of a scrappy but I just flushed the system out and tried a "good" rad weld type product.

Blasted around France last week for a 1000 miles and seems to of cured it.Might be worth ago before shelling out £600!!

Ps still going to get the matrix for £25 just in case

ademid

What's involved in flushing the water system out? And what rad weld type thing did you use? Willing to give anything a go before parting with 600 party tokens...

Cheers for info mate

Ade

JohnS

iTrader: (1)

It's not so much the parts that are expensive, but the labour required to fit it. You pretty much need to strip down the whole dashboard and all the controls/electrics etc to gain access to the heater matrix.

At least 8 hours work to strip down, replace and re-assemble is what I have heard.

Plus you have to flush/re-fill the whole cooling system etc.

John

dualtech

flushed out the cooling system with "holts " rad flush, then used a product that looked like a copper liquid,I can't remember the product name but it was a type of liquid glass, cost about £8

follow the instuctions to the letter.

a good car spares shop should stock it

To drain the cooling system I just pulled of the bottom hose on the rad, saving alot of messing about finding drain plugs

It was well worth it...at the minute!!!!

Tim W

iTrader: (1)

I have had a split matrix since December last year, over the winter I got a way with flushing and rad weld, but only for about a month at a time before it started leaking again

I've been running with the matrix bypassed since May, and the track day season starting...

As John said it's a Dash out job taking at least a full day, I tried to do it myself during the winter but gave up when I started breaking clips and it was getting dark (no to mention damn cold!) was going to have another go about now...but I know it's going to be a 'mare of a job!

Incidentally a new matrix from a main dealer is about 200 quid plus Vat

ademid

Cheers Tim

Now your really tring to make my day aren't you. Will try the flush and rad weld option and see how I get on but may just have to bite the bullet and remortgage my house to get the matrix done.

Bugger!

Ade

Tim W

iTrader: (1)

Sorry Ade, but it is an absolute b'stard of a job...but at least you know the truth

fubar

I've had 2 heater matrixes replaced under warranty.
The real ******* for me was that it took 3 to 4 weeks for them to come into stock.
Think they are sent on the slow boat from Japan or something.

I would be more concerned why the matrix has split ..
My first one split when not enough anti-freeze in system, so split when system froze.
Second caused by head gasket going - pressurizing water system, splitting matrix. Needed 2 new heads as well.
All warranty work.