Member Since: 26 May 2009
Location: wiltshire
Posts: 74
Dashboard removal for heater matrix?
Hi everyone,
I have got a bad leak in the cabin of my 2006 d3 s auto,
It appears to be running into the footwells on both sides from the center tunnel under the dash, so I am assuming it's the heater matrix that's leaking and I have had to top up my coolant today aswell, only about a litre.
I believe that the whole dash has to be removed to replace the matrix? , is this correct or does anyone know of any cheats?
I am a pretty competent diy mechanic and would try it myself, is there a guide anywhere or any advice?
Many thanks in advance for any help!
26th Apr 2014 5:06 pm
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
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I've not done it but the heater matrix looks very accessible from the footwell once you have removed the trim and heater duct. A few screws and a couple of pipes should have you sliding it out into the footwell in no time.
Are you sure it is the source of the leak though?Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
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If you need a hand give me a shoutJoined the BMWX5 45e group
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26th Apr 2014 6:01 pm
Dave T
Member Since: 03 Jul 2009
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 6903
If you need a hand give me a shoutJoined the BMWX5 45e group
1994 Defender 90
2015 RRS Corris Grey/Black roof
2016 D4 Graphite Santorini Black
2012 D4 XS Orkney Grey
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26th Apr 2014 6:02 pm
Dave T
Member Since: 03 Jul 2009
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 6903
That's only one hand though!!!!!! Joined the BMWX5 45e group
1994 Defender 90
2015 RRS Corris Grey/Black roof
2016 D4 Graphite Santorini Black
2012 D4 XS Orkney Grey
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Convoy for Heroes 2011
26th Apr 2014 6:03 pm
nelly13
Member Since: 26 May 2009
Location: wiltshire
Posts: 74
I am fairly sure it's the problem, I don't have sunroofs, the windscreen hasn't been replaced, all the a post trims are in place, the door seals are good and I seem to get water in the footwells even after 10 days of sunshine. The fact that I have lost coolant too after 8 years and 169k miles without having lost any before points at the matrix to me, it's the volume of water too, it's filling the footwells on both sides and covering the rubber mats too!
26th Apr 2014 6:04 pm
Disco_Mikey
Member Since: 29 May 2007
Location: Dundee, Scotland
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Member Since: 26 May 2009
Location: wiltshire
Posts: 74
Mikey, the water doesn't really taste of anything, but my footwells are pretty dirty!
26th Apr 2014 6:17 pm
waterbuoy
Member Since: 26 Oct 2013
Location: Argyll
Posts: 2884
Not sure how much this will help, but when the heater matrix on one of my RR Classics failed it was like drivig in a sauna. The screen fogged up within seconds, and then the car filled with steam as the humidity rose Currently 2009 Disco 3 SE, 2013 MY D4 HSE and 2016 D4 SE
Previously:
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26th Apr 2014 6:23 pm
Russell
Member Since: 24 Aug 2007
Location: Kent
Posts: 10564
You should also smell/taste a sweet sickly smell in the car, antifreezeMY17 D5 1st Edition Namib Orange
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26th Apr 2014 6:29 pm
nelly13
Member Since: 26 May 2009
Location: wiltshire
Posts: 74
The trouble is that I carry fuel and saws etc with me most of the time, so it always smells of something other than it should!
26th Apr 2014 6:37 pm
Cellerdweller
Member Since: 05 Oct 2012
Location: Macclesfield
Posts: 1315
Check to see if the water has antifreeze in it if it doesn't then it's highly unlikely it's the matrix . If it's clean water it could possibly the water residue that forms on the evaporator when the air con is on and normally exits under the car sorry just read thread again didn't realise you had topped up the coolant You're not afraid of the dark are you ?
26th Apr 2014 6:42 pm
barce1987
Member Since: 18 Jun 2014
Location: barnsley
Posts: 33
Heater cold on one side
hello people . My heater on disco3 is warm and hot on right side as ur in car but freezing and cold on left why is this . Plus is there ment to be heat come out onto the windows in boot with them vents cos there nothing happening there either . And now the winter coming it's really hard to defrost the disco3
the rear vents , could have cold if u have rear Air con, dont think they do heat though !
Gaz
30th Oct 2014 7:45 am
lr-80
Member Since: 19 Jul 2011
Location: Oslo
Posts: 69
Matrix replacement
Mine blew cold air on driver's (left hand) side. After removing some panels, the matrix was cold upon touching the left hand side. It was replaced at dealers and was a two-day complete dashboard out job.
Edit: according to the mechanic it was not the first clogged up matrix he had replaced.1951 Series One 80" 1600cc Deep Bronze Green
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sorry just read thread again didn't realise you had topped up the coolant 
