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Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: Rod1-gti on 03 February 2011, 17:43

Title: Replaceing heater matrix
Post by: Rod1-gti on 03 February 2011, 17:43

Hi, after having extensive problems with my heaters not blowing hot i have decided to change the heater matrix, I'm pretty sure its had it as the car was niglected when i bought it and when i stick a hose down to the matrix there is quite a bit of resistance to the water flow.

My questions are; will the matrix off a mk2 golf gti 8v fit a mk3 1.8 8v as i have one spare.
Are they difficult to change and whats involved?
Im not sure if there may be an airlock, I have just changed the head gasket and changed the coolant but the bottom hose for the rad doesn't become hot until the fan kicks in, which only does so for a few seconds then turns off, is this normal?
My temp guage never goes above halfway even if left running for quite some time and the pipes in the bay are too hot to handle, does this seem ok?

Sorry for the million questions but i am at my wits end with this problem and its spoiling an otherwise fine car.

Please help, I have a soft spot for VW's but at the moment I have had more reliability from my previous vauxhalls. (Former Vaux fan  :wink:)

Title: Re: Replaceing heater matrix
Post by: lemski on 03 February 2011, 17:49

In mk maintanence there is a how to change the matrix. Its same layout as mk3 and the heatermatrix will fit. But mk2 ones arnt that reliable. Mk3 ones are the upgrade for us when we swap them. Probs best to get to the scrappy and get another mk3 one or buy one from gsf

Title: Re: Replaceing heater matrix
Post by: Rod1-gti on 03 February 2011, 18:08

how much are they?

Title: Re: Replaceing heater matrix
Post by: *Jonnyg* on 03 February 2011, 18:32

Put your blowers on full, on hot. Take your water cap off bottle. And squeeze the top rad hose... Might just be a air lock in it. You will know when is done, as heaters will be hot!


May as well try, as it doesn't cost nothing.

Title: Re: Replaceing heater matrix
Post by: lemski on 03 February 2011, 18:33

Am not sure how much you'd have to ring em mate

Title: Re: Replaceing heater matrix
Post by: Seanl on 03 February 2011, 19:27

15 - 20 quid off fleabay but not sure on the quality of them tbh

Title: Re: Replaceing heater matrix
Post by: rubjonny on 04 February 2011, 09:27

mk2 guide is next to useless for the mk3 :(

main issue is the mk3 dash has the knee bar in front of the airbox, so the entire dash has to come out, and the knee bar needs pulling forward a bit. couple guides dotted around the mk3 section somewhere

Title: Re: Replaceing heater matrix
Post by: lemski on 04 February 2011, 10:59

Ahhh the knee bar. I forgot about that. Long time since av pulled a mk3 apart rj

Title: Re: Replaceing heater matrix
Post by: rubjonny on 04 February 2011, 11:13

been a while since i did it too and i plan never to do it again  :grin:

Title: Re: Replaceing heater matrix
Post by: lemski on 04 February 2011, 12:09

Yeh I'll stick to the mk2s rj

Title: Re: Replaceing heater matrix
Post by: Len on 04 February 2011, 13:09

So what ya doing posting in here then? :rolleyes:

Title: Re: Replaceing heater matrix
Post by: rubjonny on 04 February 2011, 13:20

does that mean i should stop posting in here too as i dont have a mk3 either?  :wink:

Title: Re: Replaceing heater matrix
Post by: Len on 04 February 2011, 13:30

Of course not!

I was just playing as usual. Besides nobody takes any notice of me!

Title: Re: Replaceing heater matrix
Post by: rubjonny on 04 February 2011, 13:41

did someone say something? nah must have been the wind

Title: Re: Replaceing heater matrix
Post by: Len on 04 February 2011, 15:42

If you didnt spread your wisdom in here John we would be left with Wayne's load of rubbish!
God help us! :grin: