change a heater matrix!!

Hi everyone,
Ive got a T REG landrover freelander 1.88, can anyone tell me how long it should take to change a heater matrix?

Depends how long it takes you to take the dash out i guess Then double it


I'm guessing 6 hours

stacey1jamie said:

Hi everyone,
Ive got a T REG landrover freelander 1.88, can anyone tell me how long it should take to change a heater matrix?

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If you've not done this sort of thing before I'd say a couple of days and a hell of a lot of swearing.
I'm not a fan of Haines manwells but you'll need one for this job.

why do you need to change it? only my heater on the 2.otd is rubbish, but the problem seems to be the routing of the pipe work. so if it's had it then carry on. but if it is just not working very well check your pipe work. just a thought before you start!!!

hi there it took me 5hrs to change matrix on our td4 its not as bad as it looks

Remove screws , remove dash, remove matrix, refit dash, refit screws. Beer!


........sounds easy huh !

Why are you changing it?

Have you reverse flushed the system, refilled it and bled the air out.

Lot of peeps change a heater matrix when all they need to do is a clean up and bleeding.

If you must change it I estimate at least 6hrs.

Good luck.

changed mine coz it was leaking in footwell

Thanks for the replies guys. In answer to your question, why am i changing it, its loosing coolant, checked the head gasket, chnged the water pump, which had a very very small leak, and it still continues to loose water. No water on the floor, heaters at all times. So ive now disconnected the heater matrix pipes under the bonnet, joined with a little pipe, thus bypassing the matrix, and it seems to be retaining water. But i dont have wet carpets, or any sign of liquid in the cab??

they seem to leak on the 2 pipes on the matrix its self mine was a very small leak as well so changed it

stacey1jamie said:

Thanks for the replies guys. In answer to your question, why am i changing it, its loosing coolant, checked the head gasket, chnged the water pump, which had a very very small leak, and it still continues to loose water. No water on the floor, heaters at all times. So ive now disconnected the heater matrix pipes under the bonnet, joined with a little pipe, thus bypassing the matrix, and it seems to be retaining water. But i dont have wet carpets, or any sign of liquid in the cab??

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I have condensation issues and a coolant is disappearing even after HG change, I think I might have the same problem...

Did you find any water in your cab?

To check if your heater matrix is leaking :


n/s/f footwell, between where your pollen filter goes and where your heater box is , there is a small concertina piece of tubing. Push it together and remove it. Then get a maglite or similar such and ramp yuor head up the back of the dash , so you can stare directly upwards. You will see 2 copper pipes coming out of the heater box and through the bulkhead. If you see any red. Matrix is leaking.

I trawled through old posts on this about two months ago after discovering a leak on mine.
The general concensus seems to be circa 5 to 6 hours and the good news is that it is fairly straight foward but time consuming. One member on here did it following the Haynes manual and said it covered it exactly .
Another posted an alternative to full dash removal by cutting and rejoining the feed and return pipes with suitable rubber pipe on the new one .
I have a new replacement matrix sitting in the garage and plan to do it over Xmas break.
Do a search and you'll find more info on the above examples.

Vissie said:

To check if your heater matrix is leaking :


n/s/f footwell, between where your pollen filter goes and where your heater box is , there is a small concertina piece of tubing. Push it together and remove it. Then get a maglite or similar such and ramp yuor head up the back of the dash , so you can stare directly upwards. You will see 2 copper pipes coming out of the heater box and through the bulkhead. If you see any red. Matrix is leaking.

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If the matrix itself is leaking it is only necessary to feel the underneath of the concertina tubing, with even a small leak it will be wet to touch. (IMHO)