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Author Topic: Water systems and Heater matrixes- strange fix.  (Read 4005 times)

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Sixstring

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Water systems and Heater matrixes- strange fix.
« on: 09 March 2010, 11:35:23 »
Just been talking to a bloke from the local radiator and heater matrix re-builders (fearing the worst, and wanting some prices) he said to try this FIRST before condemning the matrix/radiator as a write -off and replacement.
1) mix up in a bucket a 50-50 mix of DISHWATER powder in warm water.
2) stir well, and add 1 tsp of ordinary vinegar.
3) drain off approx the same amount of water from your car via drain plug or removal of bottom hose
4) refil with smelly white liquid from bucket
5) drive around with everything on "full heat" for a couple of days or so (doesn't matter if its a week)
6) drain out, and flush well
7) refil with clean water, run with expansion cap off for about 30 mins or until hot
8) allow to cool to ok to the touch, and drain completely
9) refil with 50-50 mix of anti-freeze and water if you now have heat from your system, if no heat, mix up another batch and go back to item one again
10) if no results after two applications, assume the worst and condemn the matrix.

This solution cannot and does not damage anything in the engine, doesn't foam up, and is remarkably effective (just look at the colour when it comes out!!) as well as cleaning everything out of the system including limescale!!

Sounds silly, but he SWEARS by it, and I've seen the results when he drains it. Gonna do mine tomorrow............
comments, anybody??

Mike. :y :y

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Entwood

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Re: Water systems and Heater matrixes- strange fix.
« Reply #1 on: 09 March 2010, 11:54:27 »
Quote
Just been talking to a bloke from the local radiator and heater matrix re-builders (fearing the worst, and wanting some prices) he said to try this FIRST before condemning the matrix/radiator as a write -off and replacement.
1) mix up in a bucket a 50-50 mix of DISHWATER powder in warm water.
2) stir well, and add 1 tsp of ordinary vinegar.
3) drain off approx the same amount of water from your car via drain plug or removal of bottom hose
4) refil with smelly white liquid from bucket
5) drive around with everything on "full heat" for a couple of days or so (doesn't matter if its a week)
6) drain out, and flush well
7) refil with clean water, run with expansion cap off for about 30 mins or until hot
8) allow to cool to ok to the touch, and drain completely
9) refil with 50-50 mix of anti-freeze and water if you now have heat from your system, if no heat, mix up another batch and go back to item one again
10) if no results after two applications, assume the worst and condemn the matrix.

This solution cannot and does not damage anything in the engine, doesn't foam up, and is remarkably effective (just look at the colour when it comes out!!) as well as cleaning everything out of the system including limescale!!

Sounds silly, but he SWEARS by it, and I've seen the results when he drains it. Gonna do mine tomorrow............
comments, anybody??

Mike. :y :y

 

dishWASHER  ???     :)

Dishwasher powder is pretty powerful stuff, and a 50/50mixture is well strong in comparison to what you use to wash dishes !!

It is a detergent  :y :y It is low foam  :y :y  and some contain a descaling additive  :y :y  so yup .. I can see it working  :)

I would imagine the powder he refers to is along the lines of "Calgon" ... and not trying to dissolve a load of "Finish" tablets !!!!!  :)
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Sixstring

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Re: Water systems and Heater matrixes- strange fix.
« Reply #2 on: 09 March 2010, 11:57:33 »
ABSOLUTELY!!!

Sounds good, though....................reckon the techy bit and theory is sound, won't make it quite so strong, and will report on the results on here afterwards. IF it works well, might save somebody a few shekels?????
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Andy B

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Re: Water systems and Heater matrixes- strange fix.
« Reply #3 on: 09 March 2010, 12:05:29 »
A dishwasher tablet worked wonders for my Dad's Granada heater matrix.  :y  :y
A tried & trusted 'fix'  ;)
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Marks DTM Calib

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Re: Water systems and Heater matrixes- strange fix.
« Reply #4 on: 09 March 2010, 12:34:23 »
A new Omega heater matrix is sub 20 quid....
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Andy B

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Re: Water systems and Heater matrixes- strange fix.
« Reply #5 on: 09 March 2010, 12:52:32 »
Quote
A new Omega heater matrix is sub 20 quid....

So's a Granada's, he replaced it in the end & got instant heat. The difference is, you only need 20 minutes to change a MkII Granada's matrix, not a week end off work for an Omega's  ;D  ;D  ;D
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Entwood

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Re: Water systems and Heater matrixes- strange fix.
« Reply #6 on: 09 March 2010, 13:00:08 »
Quote
Quote
A new Omega heater matrix is sub 20 quid....

So's a Granada's, he replaced it in the end & got instant heat. The difference is, you only need 20 minutes to change a MkII Granada's matrix, not a week end off work for an Omega's  ;D  ;D  ;D


NAH ... Mark can do it in 30 minutes... it is only us mere mortals that need 4 days and a degree in upholstery !!!

 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Debs.

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Re: Water systems and Heater matrixes- strange fix.
« Reply #7 on: 09 March 2010, 13:03:02 »
Dishwasher powder is highly caustic.....'Hot tanking' (as used in automotive machine shops) uses a similarly aggressive chemical-approach...but, that`s for cast iron or steel engine blocks/head/components.....I`d have concerns about it`s contact with aluminium components. :-/
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Andy B

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Re: Water systems and Heater matrixes- strange fix.
« Reply #8 on: 09 March 2010, 13:06:11 »
Quote
Dishwasher powder is highly caustic.....'Hot tanking' (as used in automotive machine shops) uses a similarly aggressive chemical-approach...but, that`s for cast iron or steel engine blocks/head/components.....I`d have concerns about it`s contact with aluminium components. :-/

A lad at work used to work where they had a similar caustic tank. One of the lads he worked with decided that the would clean up his ally cylinder head and put them on the coveyor through the tank  :-?

Not a lot came out the other end!  ;D  ;D  ;D  ;D
« Last Edit: 09 March 2010, 13:06:24 by Andy_B »
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Seth

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Re: Water systems and Heater matrixes- strange fix.
« Reply #9 on: 09 March 2010, 13:46:24 »
Quote
ABSOLUTELY!!!

Sounds good, though....................reckon the techy bit and theory is sound, won't make it quite so strong, and will report on the results on here afterwards. IF it works well, might save somebody a few shekels?????
Hmmm - I'm wondering if this theory holds water (no pun intended!).
 :D :D :D :D
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Varche

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Re: Water systems and Heater matrixes- strange fix.
« Reply #10 on: 09 March 2010, 13:57:50 »
Quote
A new Omega heater matrix is sub 20 quid....

I don't know where from? I would be very interested in finding out! Car Cooling is £47.85 inc Vat and UK delivery. Aaron rads is £62.94 ditto.
There was a S/H one on Ebay recently but even that was £25 plus carriage.

Personally I will be using a new one to replace mine next month. Money is a consideration but so is taking it out dishwasher powdering it, putting it back in, testing and maybe repeating................ :)
 
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Sixstring

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Re: Water systems and Heater matrixes- strange fix.
« Reply #11 on: 09 March 2010, 14:22:47 »
Didn't want to open up a can of worms here........!
Thought with a weak mix it might save me a matrix change, and since VX dealers say its a mornings job inc v.a.t making over £220, its GOT to be a try...................?? :-X
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Marks DTM Calib

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Re: Water systems and Heater matrixes- strange fix.
« Reply #12 on: 09 March 2010, 14:32:07 »
Quote
Quote
A new Omega heater matrix is sub 20 quid....

I don't know where from? I would be very interested in finding out! Car Cooling is £47.85 inc Vat and UK delivery. Aaron rads is £62.94 ditto.
There was a S/H one on Ebay recently but even that was £25 plus carriage.

Personally I will be using a new one to replace mine next month. Money is a consideration but so is taking it out dishwasher powdering it, putting it back in, testing and maybe repeating................ :)
 

Here:

http://www.buypartsby.co.uk/radiators-final.php?year=2000&Submit=Next&make=Vauxhall&model=Omega&sub=&eng=3.0000

Bottom of the page. £14.82 + VAT
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Varche

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Re: Water systems and Heater matrixes- strange fix.
« Reply #13 on: 09 March 2010, 14:38:27 »
Splendid, had stuff(cambelt, water pump) from partsbuy before. Thanks Mark
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Sixstring

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Re: Water systems and Heater matrixes- strange fix.
« Reply #14 on: 09 March 2010, 14:45:30 »
Ok, if  I HAVE to bite the bullet, its not too bad.

Now, how long to fit the bloody thing?? Is there a "how to" guide???
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