Peugeot 306 - Just found out heater matrix is being bypassed?

Galadriel

So my 99 Peugeot 306 only blows out cold air, being winter I can't drive it without a heater so have it booked into a garage next week.

This evening I had to call out the AA for an unrelated issue and the nice chap pointed out to me that the pipes have been cut so that the heater matrix is bypassed hence the cold air.

Any one know why someone would do this? I suppose the obvious thing is that the heater matrix is 'kaput', any one hazzard a guess as to how much this will set me back? Can't drive my car without it though

Cheers.

Row

Ye i guess the old heater matrix was leaking and the previous owner did'nt bother to replace it....:rolleyes:
There abit of ripping to get the old one out but its not impossible.
I got a few from ebay and they were fine... http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/peugeot-306-heater-matrix-91-02-ac-NEW-AND-BOXED-/300506527227?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item45f795b5fb

This one maybe worth abid if its the correct one....maybe email them to ask if and how much to send it to Ireland....:)
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Heater-matrix-peugout-306-D-citroen-xantia-zx-/300509676209?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item45f7c5c2b1

Henry Ford III

Bizzare. It's been winter for a while now.

Galadriel

Row wrote: »

Ye i guess the old heater matrix was leaking and the previous owner did'nt bother to replace it....:rolleyes:
There abit of ripping to get the old one out but its not impossible.
I got a few from ebay and they were fine... http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/peugeot-306-heater-matrix-91-02-ac-NEW-AND-BOXED-/300506527227?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item45f795b5fb

This one maybe worth abid if its the correct one....maybe email them to ask if and how much to send it to Ireland....:)
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Heater-matrix-peugout-306-D-citroen-xantia-zx-/300509676209?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item45f7c5c2b1

Thanks for that, I'll have a look!

Galadriel

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Bizzare. It's been winter for a while now.

Wouldn't say bizzare, I'm a learner driver so I don't drive alot especially in the recent bad weather (and with no heater)

smokie2008

Hey there,
I used to have to change them all the time in the 306. They crack and leak and when you turn the heating on the coolant sprays and leaks all over the interior of the car. A cheap way to fix it is to do bypass it like whats done in yours.

It's a full days work all going well as the whole steering column and Dash has to be removed in order to take it out. I actually used to like doing them I got that used to it but that was in the comfort of a nice warm workshop. Where abouts are you located as I might know a few guys that will give you a price (only if you can't get someone as leaving it into a main dealer will cost you a packet).

Galadriel

smokie2008 wrote: »

Hey there,
I used to have to change them all the time in the 306. They crack and leak and when you turn the heating on the coolant sprays and leaks all over the interior of the car. A cheap way to fix it is to do bypass it like whats done in yours.

It's a full days work all going well as the whole steering column and Dash has to be removed in order to take it out. I actually used to like doing them I got that used to it but that was in the comfort of a nice warm workshop. Where abouts are you located as I might know a few guys that will give you a price (only if you can't get someone as leaving it into a main dealer will cost you a packet).

I am located in Dublin 6, I'll see what the garage says tomorrow but if you know anyone that would be interested in doing the work pm me.

Thanks!

wildefalcon

My 2001 306 1.8 na diesel heater matrix leaked once. The passenger footwell was soaked, and the demist setting caused the screen to mist up.

I immediately switched to cold and drove home at low revs, just in case the head gasket went. The temp gauge never moved.

My mechanic and I did our research and found that the standard time was 10 hours for the job, on a normal car.

And as mine has aircon and airbags it was looking like it would be a sod of a job.

So my mechanic suggested that we try using a professional leak sealant product: Novastop.

It stopped the leak. This was a year ago, it's had a water pump fitted soon - routine change with the timing belt - and all I did was put another bottle into the system.

I do about 15,000 miles a year, short journeys to long motorway trips across the UK in the summer. No problems, no overheating.

So far so good. I carry a spare can with me though.

I've since learned that the product has a good reputation with the classic tractor community, who use it to repair old tractors where the engine block casting has gone porous over the years.

I'd suggest that if the cost of the repair is reasonable then I'd get it done, otherwise I'd just splice the hoses back together, fill with coolant and novastop, ensuring you bleed the system properly and see how you get on!