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76

General Car Chat / Re: Removing footwell trim panel on Vectra

« on: 09 September 2020, 08:27:07 »

I appreciate bending things in general is unwise, but the clips for the pipes are designed to bend at the 'hinge', while the rest of the clip retains its shape. So I hoped I could push the pipe, with grommet on it,  into the matrix with one hand, then bend the clip around them with the other hand, then pop in the screw, job done.
I must try again.

77

General Car Chat / Re: Removing footwell trim panel on Vectra

« on: 08 September 2020, 22:25:17 »

Bending anything is asking for trouble

If the pipe ends fit the seals ok, try seating the seals in the matrix THEN inserting the pipes...

Report back

I tried that in reply 20#.

78

General Car Chat / Re: Removing footwell trim panel on Vectra

« on: 08 September 2020, 20:43:18 »

A thought...

The new matrix doesn't have its own seals already fitted?

Obviously the pipes won't fit if the matrix has seals fitted and the pipes have seals fitted... You would bend the flanges before getting two seals in each fitting to compress enough to fit the clamp.

Also, if the matrix already has seals fitted, you need to be bloody careful fitting the pipes to ensure that they only go in true otherwise they will cut chunks out of the seals... This causes two problems... Obviously chewed seals WILL leak, and secondly, being new, they will be resistant to the pipes going in 'on the piss', which will make fitting them a nightmare unless the alignment is spot on. 

New matrix arived without fitted seals, with 2 seals and clamps in an envelope.
I imagine young frauleins popping into Vectras on the assembly line and inserting heater matrices, seals and clamps in 15 seconds. It must be a simple and reliable way of fitting. Haynes does not mention it, so it must be obvious. I tried pushing the pipe into the matrix, bending the clamp around the joint, popping in the screw, job done. Tried it, it didn't work.

79

General Car Chat / Re: Removing footwell trim panel on Vectra

« on: 07 September 2020, 17:17:51 »

You have checked that the new matrix fittings are  the same as the original? And that the original is easy to fit?


Perhaps the gaskets are distorted?


Or the new ones aren't the right shape, and you would be better off using the old ones with some sealant - the cheap matrix I fitted to the Omega required that.

Checking today. Both old and new matrices fit OK, and the pipes fit in them easily without gaskets.
One original gasket was destroyed on dismantling, the other fits well. The new gaskets are not identical to the originals. I tried gluing them into the new matrix, then I could not get the pipes in at all.
I visited my local Vx dealer, only to learn that the gaskets are not available alone, they only come in a £250 kit.
I tried reconnecting the pipes and matrix, the old washer fitted well, but the new one not so well. could not get the flanges close to each other.
Looks like some delicate surgery on a new washer might solve things, or just make it leak. Food for thought.

80

General Car Chat / Re: Removing footwell trim panel on Vectra

« on: 07 September 2020, 13:05:51 »

This job is driving me nuts. Surely all I should need to do is put the washers on the pipes from the engine compartment, push the pipes into the matrix, assemble the clamp around the junction, push the pipe into the matrix, and tighten the clamp, ensuring it turns freely around the join.
Problem is pushing the pipe into the matrix far enough to allow the clamp to sit astride both flanges. My son, with stronger hands, had a go, but he too failed.
It seems daft to scrap the car. I suppose I could emply a garage to do the job.

81

General Car Chat / Re: Removing footwell trim panel on Vectra

« on: 06 September 2020, 18:29:52 »

Thanks for your help, Doc. The special tool would b a pair of pliers, with fingers 25mm apart on each grip to pull the flanges together.
I imagine on assembly the lads have some way of easily making the connections.

82

General Car Chat / Re: Removing footwell trim panel on Vectra

« on: 06 September 2020, 17:28:09 »

Yes, pipes in engine bay are still disconnected.
I have tried to pull the flanges together with long nosed pliers, it helps, but not enough. I have lubricated the pipes and washers with washing up liquid.
This job should be easy, but it is not! I am at my wit's end struggling to join a pipe to a matrix. All over the car there are hoses on pipes, held by hose clips; they are no trouble.

83

General Car Chat / Re: Removing footwell trim panel on Vectra

« on: 06 September 2020, 16:54:22 »

Judicious use of long nosed pliers to squeeze the flanges together. The clips won't fit securely until the flanges are close enough.

Don’t damage them though

I appreciate that. I have spent all day failing to get those wretched clips on. The clips don't pull the flanges together, do they? It's ridiculous that this task is so difficult. I have tried gluing the washers into the holes in the matrix, then I cannot get the pipes into the washers. It's hard to apply much pressure on the pipes in that location.
Any more tips would be much appreciated.

84

General Car Chat / Re: Removing footwell trim panel on Vectra

« on: 04 September 2020, 17:41:51 »

Have spent the day failing to attach the pipes to the new matrix. Any tipes very welcome.

85

General Car Chat / Re: Removing footwell trim panel on Vectra

« on: 04 September 2020, 12:20:23 »

Having inserted the new matrix in its slot, and put the new washers on the pipes, I am struggling to get the clips over the connection. Obviously the clips and washers were designed to be easily assembled, but there must be a technique, which is so obvious that Haynes does not mention it.

I feel I should pull the joint together, then pull the clip together aound the flanges, then insert the screw and tighten it. It's not so easy! Any tipe will be appreciated.

86

General Car Chat / Re: Removing footwell trim panel on Vectra

« on: 03 September 2020, 15:18:21 »

I realised I had removed that panel before, to change the clutch switch.
I did wonder how the clip and rubbber ring fitted to seal the pipes to the matrix, but looking at the old pipes I understand. 

87

General Car Chat / Re: Removing footwell trim panel on Vectra

« on: 03 September 2020, 10:41:15 »

Thanks for advice. This morning I heated the matrix-pipe joint with a hot air gun, sprayed it with WD40, heaved the pipes about, then inserted a small screwdriver into the pipes join and twisted it, and a little coolant trickled out. Joy. Bigger screwdriver got both pipes off.

I pulled the matrix out some way, then it fouled on the trim panel beneath the clutch pedal. Bother.
Do I saw off that bit of panel, or remove the whole panel? Or should the matrix come out with the panel in place?

Grandson (5)  went back to school today, called in on the way, in his uniform and with bags of books, PE kit and welly boots.

88

General Car Chat / Re: Fresh MOT on the Omega today

« on: 02 September 2020, 21:43:33 »

Well done!

89

General Car Chat / Re: Removing footwell trim panel on Vectra

« on: 02 September 2020, 15:12:18 »

I suspect a tongue at the end of the pipe goes inside the matrix pipe. Maybe a hot air blower on the matrix pipe might release it. I don't think a flame would be a good idea.

90

General Car Chat / Re: Removing footwell trim panel on Vectra

« on: 02 September 2020, 14:46:07 »

That didn't work either. It appears to be a metal to metal compression joint which does not release when unclamped. Maybe I should lift the bonnet ends of the pipes, that would give a twisting force that might release the joints. Please advise.