Heater Matrix Hoses

[Mr Sheen]

My inlet hose from the engine to the heater matrix is rock hard and I feel needs to be changed.

How easy is it to remove the hoses from the heater matrix?
Is it difficult to get to?
Any hidden nuts I should know about inside the car?
Any idea what ID the hoses are?
Has anyone done this, any tips?

Cheers
Andy

[350zwelgje]

I will follow this thread with interest, as probably within 1-2 years time I need to replace mine as well.
What I know until now is that you need to take the dash out to get access and to be able to replace them. Besides that it is like just replacing any coolant hose.

Rob

[dw350i]

On a MK1 350i it took 20 mins to replace the hoses. Bit of a fiddle to get the drivers side fed through in the correct position. It can be done without removing the dash panel.

[number 7]

Not sure how the early cars are set up, but I changed the heater hoses on my 400 earlier this year. Access inside is a bit tight when removing / fitting the hoseclips. I found my hoses were Ford parts, but got replacements from Tim at ACT in silicone - they have some moulded bends in them, so straight hose won't work. Only slight complication was that I had to extend one in the engine bay with a joiner and a short straight length.

Probably worth doing the whole lot at the same time while the coolant is drained.

7.

[leorest]

number 7 said:

...I found my hoses were Ford parts...

When I was working on the exhaust I noticed my heater hose had Ford logos on which I thought odd as it's a Rover engine!

[350zwelgje]

leorest said:

number 7 said:

...I found my hoses were Ford parts...

When I was working on the exhaust I noticed my heater hose had Ford logos on which I thought odd as it's a Rover engine!

Mine have ford logos as well, and still look ok for 20 years old! Carried over from the 280 partsbin perhaps?

Rob

[SEvans]

Replaced mine in silicon a few years ago. Just to echo what most have said that it can be done without removing the dash. I got the old ones matched up at a hose place. They were part of a kit off a Sierra Cosworth IIRC. I had to chop them down slightly but the prifile/ bend was correct.

[Mr Sheen]

Thanks for all the responses; I’ll give it a go at the weekend