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[GaryBC]

I've decided to bite the bullet and do some keyhole surgery in my driver's footwell to fit a spanking new heater matrix. But I have a couple of questions.

When I place my order, am I going to find more than one unit that may be fitted to my car? Or are they standard across a range of models and years?

Does anyone have any good/bad experiences of buying a new heater matrix? Suppliers to avoid? Suppliers you'd recommend?

There's what looks like a pretty good "How To" guide here but has anyone else done this job and, if so, any hints and tips? (Two thing that I can't work out from the How-To are: how the water pipes connect to the matrix and how they are disconnected? And how the matrix slides out with all the relays in the way? Both of these may be blindingly obvious once I get started, but I'd prefer to know before I start!)

[GaryBC]

No takers for this one? Is it something I said!!

[Marks DTM Calib]

There all the same and available here:

http://www.buypartsby.co.uk/radiators-final.php?year=1997&Submit=Next&make=Vauxhall&model=Omega&sub=&eng=2.5000

[Abiton]

This thread may help, particularly reply #13;
http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1219945946/0

The pipes are held on to the matrix by a single (Torx?) screw, obvious once you're in there.

 

[GaryBC]

There all the same and available here:

http://www.buypartsby.co.uk/radiators-final.php?year=1997&Submit=Next&make=Vauxhall&model=Omega&sub=&eng=2.5000

Thanks Mark. I've now got my nice new heater matrix waiting to go in but, before I start, a couple of quick questions spring to mind.

Firstly, the new matrix came with a strip of adhesive-backed foam - does this have a purpose when changing the matrix?

Secondly, are there any gaskets, O-rings, seals etc which need to be replaced while I'm in there?

Gaz

[Omegafantasy]

The adhesive foam strip is for sealing the hole around the matrix (to prevent air leak). When you get your old one out you will see how it's done. Remember to move your rubber end cover to the new one (or install a new if provided). When I bought mine I also got a couple of o-rings, change them if you can.

As for the replacement itself, I had no trouble gaining access using the crude method. I have a LHD car though, that would probably make things easier as I have no fuse box at the right side.

[GaryBC]

The adhesive foam strip is for sealing the hole around the matrix (to prevent air leak). When you get your old one out you will see how it's done. Remember to move your rubber end cover to the new one (or install a new if provided). When I bought mine I also got a couple of o-rings, change them if you can.

As for the replacement itself, I had no trouble gaining access using the crude method. I have a LHD car though, that would probably make things easier as I have no fuse box at the right side.

Thanks for that.

I guess the end cover you mention will be obvious when I get in there!! Mine came without any O-rings but I presume they are for the water connections? (I'll pop to B&Q to get a couple!)

[Omegafantasy]

Yes, the end cover is very obvious, but it might get stuck inside the hole for the matrix. The rubber is on the left side, covering the hole in the heater duct and protects the small pipework on the matrix itself. A friend of mine forgot to move it over and he couldn't understand why he didn't get enough air for the defroster 

The o-rings are for the two water pipes into the matrix. They are also quite obvious, but before you buy anything, check your new matrix, they might be fitted already 

Some pics from my little matrix job: (large files!) http://omcoslo.com/bil/

[GaryBC]

Yes, the end cover is very obvious, but it might get stuck inside the hole for the matrix. The rubber is on the left side, covering the hole in the heater duct and protects the small pipework on the matrix itself. A friend of mine forgot to move it over and he couldn't understand why he didn't get enough air for the defroster 

The o-rings are for the two water pipes into the matrix. They are also quite obvious, but before you buy anything, check your new matrix, they might be fitted already 

Some pics from my little matrix job: (large files!) http://omcoslo.com/bil/

Good point!! There may well be a couple in the connection holes in the matrix body - I'll check tonight.

Neat pics by the way - looks like a much easier job on a LHD!

[GaryBC]

There all the same and available here:

http://www.buypartsby.co.uk/radiators-final.php?year=1997&Submit=Next&make=Vauxhall&model=Omega&sub=&eng=2.5000

Thanks Mark. I've now got my nice new heater matrix waiting to go in but, before I start, a couple of quick questions spring to mind.

Firstly, the new matrix came with a strip of adhesive-backed foam - does this have a purpose when changing the matrix?

Secondly, are there any gaskets, O-rings, seals etc which need to be replaced while I'm in there?

Gaz

My new matrix came without O-rings. I've tracked down their part numbers (90487638) but nobody seems to hold them as a stocked item. I reckon they'll probably be freely available from my local plumbers merchant for just a few pennies - but I need to know their size first.

Would anybody know their dimensions?

Cheers,
Gaz