Heater Matrix Bypass

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26-06-2010, 02:44 PM
MickR

Heater Matrix Bypass

Hi ,first of all thanks to all who contribute to this site for the amount of time and money you have saved me.I have owned an a4 b5 2.4 auto advant for about a year now,runs like a dream though a bit smokey on start on cold days,(and sometimes when i thrash it).I think the head gaskets might need replacement as i get traces of oil in the headertank(like a browny cream).I got it With 121,000miles Its now done 134,000 miles so the engine is a bit tired,but its never gotten any worse.
But any way my problem is my heater matrix is leaking.I have just replaced the expansion tank(split),and with in a week the matrix went.Now as the cheapest I've seen them is about £80 And it looks a bit of a nightmare job,i want to bypass the matrix for a couple of weeks,to see if any thing else on the cooling system wants to pop.I worry the head gaskets could be letting pressure in there causing all my problems.
So my question is can i plug the two pipes into the matrix,or do i need to join them so coolant can run through?

If I do replace the heater matrix,i'll take photos and TRY to put together a step by step guide.(im useless with a PC,this post took an Hour so far...
26-06-2010, 03:30 PM
zollaf

Re: Heater Matrix Bypass

things starting to pop on a cooling system is a sure sign of over pressurisation, usually caused by a failed head gasket , as you say. to bypass the matrix, get a pipe joiny thing from a factors, remove the two pipes from the matrix and join them together. simple as that. but, beware that something else might go, like the radiator, which cant be bypassed.
28-06-2010, 10:00 PM
crashcarter

Re: Heater Matrix Bypass

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickR

Hi ,first of all thanks to all who contribute to this site for the amount of time and money you have saved me.I have owned an a4 b5 2.4 auto advant for about a year now,runs like a dream though a bit smokey on start on cold days,(and sometimes when i thrash it).I think the head gaskets might need replacement as i get traces of oil in the headertank(like a browny cream).I got it With 121,000miles Its now done 134,000 miles so the engine is a bit tired,but its never gotten any worse.
But any way my problem is my heater matrix is leaking.I have just replaced the expansion tank(split),and with in a week the matrix went.Now as the cheapest I've seen them is about £80 And it looks a bit of a nightmare job,i want to bypass the matrix for a couple of weeks,to see if any thing else on the cooling system wants to pop.I worry the head gaskets could be letting pressure in there causing all my problems.
So my question is can i plug the two pipes into the matrix,or do i need to join them so coolant can run through?

If I do replace the heater matrix,i'll take photos and TRY to put together a step by step guide.(im useless with a PC,this post took an Hour so far...

https://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/s...=heater+matrix