VW Independent in East Mids? Heater has died.

[ModMan]

My Golf Mk7 heater has packed up and the local independent to me is struggling to fix it.

They say it "may" be the heater matrix as when trying to flush it there is pressure and it's not flowing through the matrix easily, but they are unsure if it's a one way valve or something. They also say that it's a dash out job, but the VW manual I have looks like the matrix just slides out from the centre console after removing the kick panel, but I'm no mechanic so may be over simplifying it. Regardless, they can't get a matrix, apparently they're on back order or something and they have apologised and are giving me the car back. I'd like to ask another specialist to have a look. Is there anywhere in the East Mids recommended? I'm near Rugby/Leicester.

[mrdelmonti]

We've seen a few of these in at work recently, flushing is unlikely to help and the heater matrix will be on back order but if expedited they have been coming in within a week. A lot of these jobs have been going out as goodwill or warranty so I'd recommend taking it to a main dealer.

[ModMan]

Thanks for that. I don't think it's under warranty, it's a 2013 model so I wouldn't expect them to honour it . Especially as I bought it 6 months ago and it's been serviced independently.

The service manual makes it looks like it just slides out (Mk6 Jetta), similar to this video. Do you know if that's the case? If so I may be tempted to give it a go with a second hand matrix from eBay (£50)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUPm1O-Jfvk&t=...