Heater Matrix Fault...?

Hi, am I right in thinking that I can diagnoise a possible faulty heater matrix by joining the inlet and outlet pipe; completely by-passing the matrix?

If anyone has done this before could you please let me know what you used to join the 2 pipes i.e the thickness of joiner used etc...

Many thanks.

Whats the symptoms?

fett said:

Whats the symptoms?

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The dreaded overheating - the header tank boils up after about 5 miles.... I've had the head gaskets done, changed the stat, flushed and backflushed, and changing the water pump are rad tomorrow. After that the only thing I could think of is the heater matrix as I dont get any hot air out of vents. I was thinking about joining the inlet and outlet pipes isolating the matrix to try and test it... is this a good or bad idea?

Sounds like A good idea, but I have a partially blocked matrix from two cans of Kseal but it never overheats so I am not sure if that ur prob , u may as well try it though as its free!

fett said:

Sounds like A good idea, but I have a partially blocked matrix from two cans of Kseal but it never overheats so I am not sure if that ur prob , u may as well try it though as its free!

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Im thinking along the lines of if it is partically blocked then the water flow wont be as good meaning overheating.....

what engine is it i have the same problem in my td5 but mine keeps spitting the water back out i have changed the water pump thermostat rad rad top hose and am going to do the matrix the morn. i have been told that it could be the head has a crack in it on the inlet side and is drawing air in thruogh there the heater is the highest point in mine so it is airlocking

lro2006 said:

what engine is it i have the same problem in my td5 but mine keeps spitting the water back out i have changed the water pump thermostat rad rad top hose and am going to do the matrix the morn. i have been told that it could be the head has a crack in it on the inlet side and is drawing air in thruogh there the heater is the highest point in mine so it is airlocking

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Mines V8 4.0. Ive had my heads done, I am just hoping its not the block.

lro2006 said:

what engine is it i have the same problem in my td5 but mine keeps spitting the water back out i have changed the water pump thermostat rad rad top hose and am going to do the matrix the morn. i have been told that it could be the head has a crack in it on the inlet side and is drawing air in thruogh there the heater is the highest point in mine so it is airlocking

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Whoever told you that is talking rubbish. If you had a cracked head inlet side you would be sucking water out of cooling system into engine. The cooling system cannot suck air in. You would have clouds of steam from exhaust. The only things that can cause over pressuring of the system is an air lock (air expands greatly when heated) causing a hot spot within the engine. Or a leak from a cylinder usually via the head gasket. Or a system that is blocked in some way preventing water circulation.