Heater matrix, checking and removal
Discussion
Has anyone tried (and been successful) at removing the heater matrix from a 94 Chim?
From what I have read in other posts this is not going to be a pleasant or easy task. Is there an easy way to check for blockages in the matrix? The last time I drove the car (3 years ago) I remember the heater was not working well. As I have the dash top off and the inclination I thought I could at least inspect the matrix and repair / replace as necessary.
Cheers,
Gav
From what I have read in other posts this is not going to be a pleasant or easy task. Is there an easy way to check for blockages in the matrix? The last time I drove the car (3 years ago) I remember the heater was not working well. As I have the dash top off and the inclination I thought I could at least inspect the matrix and repair / replace as necessary.
Cheers,
Gav
Can you get to the hose in/out connections under the bonnet?
(Sorry not familiar with Chimaera under the bonnet)
If so connect a garden hose to the outlet and turn the tap on, reverse it a few times between the inlet & outlet till it runs clear.
Be warned - you'll think your car has shat on your drive
(Sorry not familiar with Chimaera under the bonnet)
If so connect a garden hose to the outlet and turn the tap on, reverse it a few times between the inlet & outlet till it runs clear.
Be warned - you'll think your car has shat on your drive
Edited by Barkychoc on Monday 22 December 13:46
If you stick your head down in the passenger footwell, you will see the in & out pipes come through the transmission tunnel and routed round the back to the matrix up in the top left corner (including the flow control valve). Flushing bits through piecemeal should give you an idea if there are any stoppages. If you have to remove the matrix that is a real PITA so lets not worry about that until the last resort!!!
Uncle Fester said:
Does anyone know if the heater matrix and air conditioning condenser (the radiator type bit in the heater box) were TVR specific parts, or where they from another car?
Did TVR use the same internal parts on both Chimp and Griff?
No far superior parts were employed building Chims Did TVR use the same internal parts on both Chimp and Griff?
Seriously I wouldn't be certain they didn't change over time Fester? Its only like a rad, getting the local rad repair to fix yours might be easier. I've got a scrap one somewhere but its a bit nondescript.. I did waste some time looking for likely replacements on eeby but wasn't very committed to it
From another angle the vent system is only 2 plumbing pipes to connect up, hence why others have looked for alternative mixer/matrices IIRC. I'm sure one of your lot came up with an alternative?
spend said:
No far superior parts were employed building Chims
I’m sure your right, absolutely no superior parts in a Chimp at all. You just can’t make a silk purse like a Griff out of a female Ugly Pig’s ear. 
The problems with the heater box aren’t the matrix. They’re the design; and material the box is made of.
A new box is under development answering both these problems. It will also allow owners without air conditioning to retrofit A/C. For the first time, cool feet to match the cool looks will become available. Well, for Griff owners, anyway.
Obviously it would be cheaper if the original parts could be reused as much as possible. Knowing what was originally fitted, and any changes that TVR made over time would help ensure compatibility and sourcing spares.
Managed to get onto checking the heater matrix yester day, flushed and backflushed the matrix using the pipes in the foot well. Not too much debris came out into the bucket and the flow seemed to be restricted which I assume is caused by the smaller bore of the matrix compared to the hose. Is this normal or should the water flow very easily?
Whilst performing the chimaera limbo in the passenger footwell I also checked the operation of the heater control valve, this opens and closes easily, however when closed it is still able to allow a very small amount of air (when blowing through it) to pass. Is this normal or should the valve completely shut off????
Also, how long can I keep the cooling system drained of coolant and corrosion inhibitor before I run into corrosion issues? The car is in the garage next to the house so it wont freeze but should I put some coolant into the system whilst I wait for new hoses to arrive?
Cheers,
Gav
Whilst performing the chimaera limbo in the passenger footwell I also checked the operation of the heater control valve, this opens and closes easily, however when closed it is still able to allow a very small amount of air (when blowing through it) to pass. Is this normal or should the valve completely shut off????
Also, how long can I keep the cooling system drained of coolant and corrosion inhibitor before I run into corrosion issues? The car is in the garage next to the house so it wont freeze but should I put some coolant into the system whilst I wait for new hoses to arrive?
Cheers,
Gav
Neapo said:
Whilst performing the chimaera limbo in the passenger footwell I also checked the operation of the heater control valve, this opens and closes easily, however when closed it is still able to allow a very small amount of air (when blowing through it) to pass. Is this normal or should the valve completely shut off????
Its an old VW part, VW dealer or GSF should have replacements. Early cars have a bypass (just looks like a twin pipe connector) that prevents the heater valve having to stop the full force of the flow?
There was not a great flow through the 2 matrix I have had my hands on to test
Which is why I have always been concerned about that bypass valve - the engine relies on flow through the heater pipes until the stat fully opens. Neapo said:
I assume that the bypass is the 'H'shaped adaptor on the pipes that come from the cooling system to the matrix.
Thats it, test it with a hose and put your finger over one end, it should bybass Oh, bubble wrap & bacofoil your pipes when they go back, if you want passenger to stay cool in the summer
Make sure there are no leaks first though Uncle Fester said:
spend said:
No far superior parts were employed building Chims
I’m sure your right, absolutely no superior parts in a Chimp at all. You just can’t make a silk purse like a Griff out of a female Ugly Pig’s ear. The problems with the heater box aren’t the matrix. They’re the design; and material the box is made of.
A new box is under development answering both these problems. It will also allow owners without air conditioning to retrofit A/C. For the first time, cool feet to match the cool looks will become available. Well, for Griff owners, anyway.
Obviously it would be cheaper if the original parts could be reused as much as possible. Knowing what was originally fitted, and any changes that TVR made over time would help ensure compatibility and sourcing spares.
andy-w said:
Uncle Fester said:
spend said:
No far superior parts were employed building Chims
I’m sure your right, absolutely no superior parts in a Chimp at all. You just can’t make a silk purse like a Griff out of a female Ugly Pig’s ear. The problems with the heater box aren’t the matrix. They’re the design; and material the box is made of.
A new box is under development answering both these problems. It will also allow owners without air conditioning to retrofit A/C. For the first time, cool feet to match the cool looks will become available. Well, for Griff owners, anyway.
Obviously it would be cheaper if the original parts could be reused as much as possible. Knowing what was originally fitted, and any changes that TVR made over time would help ensure compatibility and sourcing spares.
I’m impressed that a Chimp can be trained to discern the difference.
Felix Sit Annus Novus
Edited by Uncle Fester on Friday 2nd January 14:27
Uncle Fester said:
How can someone who owns a griff manage to type so many words that are spelt correctly???
It’s just the natural superiority of Griff owners, I suppose. I’m impressed that a Chimp can be trained to discern the difference.
Tantum hilaris diligo an turpis sus. Felix Sit Annus Novus
but who?
spend said:
Uncle Fester said:
How can someone who owns a griff manage to type so many words that are spelt correctly???
It’s just the natural superiority of Griff owners, I suppose. I’m impressed that a Chimp can be trained to discern the difference.
Tantum hilaris diligo an turpis sus. Felix Sit Annus Novus
but who?
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