Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: uktigger on 06 March 2018, 20:25:33

Title: Flushing Heater Matrix
Post by: uktigger on 06 March 2018, 20:25:33
I'm planning to flush my heater matrix on my 2.2 Petrol Omega.
I've got all the stuff suggested, ie hoses etc
I've read the articles in the maintanance section, but notice that after looking at numerous how to vids on youtube, they all suggest using 5/8" hose - (granted, they are all US vids).
The only hoses I have come across over here are 1/2" which i have 2 of.
Will this fit onto the connections to the matrix?
I don't want to start this and then find my hose won't fit.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Steve
Title: Re: Flushing Heater Matrix
Post by: Nick W on 06 March 2018, 20:36:31
I find it much easier to leave the hose connected to the heater matrix, and fit the flushing hoses to the other end with some adapters:


(https://www.dropbox.com/s/kj0rxzelgildcuy/Heateradaptorssmall.jpg?dl=1)


They are 1/2" for the garden hose, and about 21mm for the heater hose. The bung is to blank off the return hose.



But, having done a the job a number of times, I don't think it's particularly worthwhile. All it did on mine was 'improve' the heater output from is it on? to that's sightly warmer than ambient. When I finally replaced the matrix(seven years after buying the car ??? ), 9 out of the 12 tubes were so packed with silt that I couldn't poke some thin stiff wire down them. The new matrix gives out hot air in less than a mile.
Title: Re: Flushing Heater Matrix
Post by: uktigger on 06 March 2018, 23:48:11
Just need to try anything to get SOME heat. Not having a heater in the past 3 weeks has not been fun :-)

The matrix is the only thing left to try, so want to try flushing it before butchering the car to replace.
Title: Re: Flushing Heater Matrix
Post by: mandula on 07 March 2018, 06:03:28
With some cutting and gluing, it is two hours job to replace heater matrix (first time). If I needed to do it again, it would be one hour job.
I think there is guide how to do it easy way.
Title: Re: Flushing Heater Matrix
Post by: Andy B on 07 March 2018, 08:07:57
With some cutting and gluing, it is two hours job to replace heater matrix (first time). If I needed to do it again, it would be one hour job.
I think there is guide how to do it easy way.

Bear in mind that the pedals are in the way on our cars  :y
Title: Re: Flushing Heater Matrix
Post by: mandula on 07 March 2018, 08:19:51
With some cutting and gluing, it is two hours job to replace heater matrix (first time). If I needed to do it again, it would be one hour job.
I think there is guide how to do it easy way.

Bear in mind that the pedals are in the way on our cars  :y

Oops, then there might be something more to disassemble than glove box  :-X

Anyways, there's the guide (http://oldsite.omegaowners.com//forum/YaBB.pl?num=1262554909) for wrong side drivers   ;D
Title: Re: Flushing Heater Matrix
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 07 March 2018, 09:42:15
Have you ruled out the control mechanism?
Title: Re: Flushing Heater Matrix
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 07 March 2018, 12:11:10
Remove the push fit hoses on the matrix and use ordinary garden hose secured with jubilee clips.  Switch them over a few times so you flush both ways and then refit the pushfits, making sure they are on properly!  ;)

It's an easy job that dosn't need over thinking or any sort of special tools or adaptors.  :y
Title: Re: Flushing Heater Matrix
Post by: uktigger on 07 March 2018, 13:23:56
Remove the push fit hoses on the matrix

Not as easy as it sounds :-(

Managed to get the clip released, but the pipe is not for coming off! :-(
Title: Re: Flushing Heater Matrix
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 07 March 2018, 13:28:46
Try harder... They do stick a bit.

Just don't bend/snap the pipe in the process ;)
Title: Re: Flushing Heater Matrix
Post by: uktigger on 07 March 2018, 13:30:17
Try harder... They do stick a bit.

Just don't bend/snap the pipe in the process ;)

Always a good idea :-)
Title: Re: Flushing Heater Matrix
Post by: Nick W on 07 March 2018, 13:31:01
Remove the push fit hoses on the matrix

Not as easy as it sounds :-(

Managed to get the clip released, but the pipe is not for coming off! :-(


I spent less time making the adapters than I did trying(unsuccessfully) to get the first hose off. With them it's just a case of undoing the Jubilee clip that holds the hose to the HBV, inserting the adapter complete with garden hose attached, and securing it in place with the same clip.


Using a short length of hose on each adapter you can put a standard Hozelock connector on the other end, and easily swap your flushing/drain hose.
Title: Re: Flushing Heater Matrix
Post by: TheBoy on 07 March 2018, 18:25:27
undoing the Jubilee clip that holds the hose to the HBV
Oh dear ::)
Title: Re: Flushing Heater Matrix
Post by: Nick W on 07 March 2018, 18:42:13
undoing the Jubilee clip that holds the hose to the HBV
Oh dear ::)


They might be stainless steel Ideal ones on mine.
Title: Re: Flushing Heater Matrix
Post by: tunnie on 07 March 2018, 22:15:15
Flushing matrix can help, did it on 3.2 many years ago now. Noticeable improvement  :y

Again I stuck end of hose pipe in cup of hot water, to soften it. Then went on heater matrix connector no probs. Flushed and reverse flushed.  :y
Title: Re: Flushing Heater Matrix
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 07 March 2018, 22:31:58
I spent less time making the adapters than I did trying(unsuccessfully) to get the first hose off.

We don't all have a branch of Wheeler's Workshop handy you know!  :P  ;D
Title: Re: Flushing Heater Matrix
Post by: serek on 07 March 2018, 22:37:50
For what new unit cost may worth just get replaced
Not bad DIY job too
Title: Re: Flushing Heater Matrix
Post by: uktigger on 20 March 2018, 13:10:18
OK, sorry to be a pain over this :-)

Is there any special procedure for removing these connectors from the heater matrix, or is it just brute force?

I have done the following..

1.  Removed the small green ring
2.  Unlocked the locking ring and pulled it back.

After this nothing wants to move. So, is there anything else that needs to be done to get these bloody pipes off :-)
Title: Re: Flushing Heater Matrix
Post by: Migv6 le Frog Fan on 20 March 2018, 13:24:28
They get stuck in position. A measure of brute force is probably needed now. Twisting is best ime.