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[omegadriver]

Hi Guys,

I've got a 2001 Omega elite 2.3 auto, and I'm not getting any heat into the car.

I have had the local garage flush the heater matrix which seemed to give me a little bit more warm air, but over the last few weeks that seems to have diminished again. 

Have I got to bite the bullet and get a new heater matrix ?

Cheers

Neil

[Crazycarzowner]

Hi Neil,

I'd have a quick look at another post that's running on this topic

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=99058.0

[amba]

Recently I had a fairly large water leak inside the car which actually turned out to be one of the small "0" rings that seal the pipes going into the heater matrix.

Actual point I am making is when I removed my matrix to check it wasn,t leaking, I was amazed at how little water was flowing through it.I placed  the matrix in the kitchen sink and slowly poured water into 1 feed and I could only get around 5 fl oz before it started to start coming out of the other opening .That clearly showed there was a major blockage which was certianly the reason why when I switched the temp to "Hi" it caused the seal to blow.

I poured kettle descaler into the matrix and let it do its stuff,after around the 5 or 6th flush it produced a load of gunge and then I was able to get around 20-25 fl oz into it before it started to overflow.

It seems that due to the narrow pipes in the matrix they are prone to blockage ,and given the fact that most of us have not had these cars for their entire history ,you cannot be sure what additives previous owners have put into the coolant.

Conclusion I would therefore give you is to remove both quick fit pipes from the engine side at the bulk head.Cut 2 sections of garden hose around 2 foot long and push as tight as possible onto each metal pipe.Position 1 to drain ideally into a clear container,so you can inspect what is beinfg removed by flushing, and fit a plastic funnel to the other then slowly pour in a good measure of either kettle cleaner or similar until it starts to come out of the drain feed.Leave it to soak and do its stuff for a while then flush through with clean water and inspect what crud and gunge has come out.Repeat this around 5 or 6 times until no more crud is coming out then give a final flush with water.

Reconnect bulk head pipes and refill system with correct 50/50 coolant mix and allow system to vent out any remaing air with engine running..heater on "Hi" and coolant bottle cap removed.

Hope that will help you and others of what I found inside the heater matrix 

[omegadriver]

Thanks Amba,

confirms what I've been thinking.  It's been into local garage and flushed once since I've owned it.
And found out today the previous owner had it flushed a few times as well.
Me thinks it's time for a new one

[omegadriver]

Hi Neil,

I'd have a quick look at another post that's running on this topic

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=99058.0

Hi Jasonm,
 
the cars running at the correct temp, so the thermostat should be ok

thanks

neil

[amba]

Word of warning though.

Removal of the Heater Matrix is either undertaken by carrying out a fair ammount of surgery ;)on the dash board within the drivers side footwell which if done carefully can be neatly hidden afterwards,or alternatively you could spen in excess of 12 hours removing the dashboard completly.

If you suspect a blockage within the matrix area I would be inclined to try the 2 pipe and descaller method as a first port as not only is it likely to get out the magority of crud but should prevent what happened to mine  ..and its a real bugger drying out the carpets on coolant this time of year.

Be interested to know what the results are when you have done it

[omegadriver]

Thanks amba, I'll let you know what I decide and how I get on