Replacing the Heater Matrix

[Keith]

I have stripped down the dash. Not sure exactly what I'm doing
but if I don't try I will never know.




There are 3 units, I am presuming they are all interconnected. Do I have to remove the three of them as a whole and then separate them?

Cheers
Cowboy Keith

[soc]

Your a braver man than I ever was Hope you kept track of what wire goes where.......

[Speedyboy]

Its in the white box on the right, if you go near the black one (aircon) make sure you let the aircon gas out first or it'll blow into your face,

Have you got a new heater? or a reconditioned/second hand one?

Unless its new i would strongly reccommend testing it or getting it testing.

If your stuck give me a shout Ive seen it done.,

[Mustang]

Yikes What a sight.
Keith Like speedboy says the white box on the right is the heater unit inside is located the heater matrix (heater core). I believe that the three units (L to R) blower unit, evaporator unit, heater unit, can be seperated....never did it myself though, so don't quote me
You may want to refer to hostile smokers guide to replacing the evaporator unit (a different job but some of the info may be useful to you)
http://www.hostilesmoker.pwp.blueyonder ... wto08.html
If you havn't already, and you have the means to do so, I suggest you download the workshop manuals from the downloads page on this site.
Workshop manual 2 is the one you want ....42MB though!
The assembly of the HVAC unit is shown in chapter 55 page 37.
If you are unable to download the manual, send me a pm with your email address and I'll send on the relevant section of the manual.
Good luck!

Mustang

[Speedyboy]

Yeah your right bout the blower and evaporator, Theres 4 rads in an FTO !!

[Keith]

Rory is sending one up to me. A second hand one might be liable to go again I know. That's making me rethink the situation. What is the best way to test it? Is there any way to strengthen it?

do I have to go near the black box?

BTW, the camera phone isn't the best, I'll try get some
proper pics when I go back at it.

[Speedyboy]

Depends how old the 2nd hand one is and was proper coolant or cheapy antifreeze used in the cooling system of the car it came from.There normally tested by putting the rad under water and filling it with pressurised air and watching out for bubbles.

To be honest with that amount of labour involved in changing it I would put in a new one, The aluminium seems to have a life span so you really dont know when it will go again. I hope im not stepping on Rorys toes by saying that as he is an excellent help.

Good luck with it

[Keith]

What I will probably do is put Rory's one for the time being and get another made up from copper & brass (someone else done this from ftooc) and then get that fitted at a later date when I eventually go ahead with the respray.

[Myfeckin FTO]

What I will probably do is put Rory's one for the time being and get another made up from copper & brass (someone else done this from ftooc) and then get that fitted at a later date when I eventually go ahead with the respray.

Jeez - You're not kidding about the "WIP" bit in your post signature.
I've pulled apart my dash before - but never gone to those lengths - I learned my lesson after dismantling my 8th transistor radio when I was a kid.

[Speedyboy]

Give Declan in autorads a ring (01 869 0723),if you want to price a copper and brass one, he has an old one there to make a copy from and the bits are normally in stock,

[Keith]

It is a work in progress alright. The car wasn't really looked after when I bought it. I think the clutch needs a new throwout bearing too. Some bad body work on it at the moment so I really need a respray too. I had a new fuel pump put into over xmas, after the first repair job on it failed, the wiring loom redone and starter motor reconditioned.

I love the car though and am not getting rid of it despite many protests. Its a great way to learn about cars apart from the current weather.

[Mustang]

Keith wrote

Its a great way to learn about cars apart from the current weather.

Agreed I've spent a lot of time on mine too, just general maintenance, nothing as serious as the trouble you've experienced though. It's been a very useful experience and I've lerned a lot about the FTO and cars in general. Weather here is always a nuisance when you don't have a garage.
Keith wrote

I love the car though and am not getting rid of it despite many protests

The FTO is captivating in that regard. If you'd had that same trouble with some mainstream bread & butter type car ,escort, corolla etc, you'd probably have washed your hands of it long ago

[steelroe]

Keith

Just a couple of pointers.

1. I have already tested the matrix and it is fine (out of a 1998 GPX)
2. Looking at the photo all you need to do is disconnect the two pipes in the engine bay then undo the screw on each of the black plasdtic brackets holding the matrix in. It will then slide out from right to left.
3. I would strongly advise not to discharge the air con gas as this is an extra cost that is unnecessary. The matrix will go in without removing this. you colud undo some of the bracket in the engine bay holding the ait con pipes and this will give you more room to move thigs around.

Rory

[steelroe]

Forgot to say you can get the white unit out without unbolting the other units. There are 2 nuts top and 2 on the bottom of the heater unit.
Looks alot more daunting than it actually is. Just remember all the connections will only plug into one socket.

Give me a call if you wan't any more detail

[Keith]

Glad to hear its from a 98 model, not going to worry about getting another made up. Thanks for info, i should be fine with those instruction but if i do get stuck I'll give you a call.

Cheers

[Keith]

Got it in and all back together....working like a dream now. Thanks Rory. When I got it all back together the fuel pump failed again but found that it was a bad connection that had been rewired so all is well again