850 Cars: Heater matrix

[chelle_belle]

Hi,

Anybody tried an aftermarket matrix? are they ok?

[colwyn]

You'll need to invest into a seal kit for it unless its included

[chelle_belle]

Going to try one, will use Volvo seals and antifreeze.

[Bigfella666]

Chellle

I knew this had been discussed recently and just found for you - Metb4 C70 post on next page.

[capt jack]

Tried an aftermarket matrix? Yes

Are they OK? Yes and No. Cheapie-cheap ones for £25 from ECP etc are rubbish, but the ones that cost around £75 (inc postage) from PartsforVolvo online are really good. these also come with new O-rings and foam seal.

I fitted a £25 ECP on to our S70 last year....and this year had to replace it with the more expensive one from PFV.

Buy cheap buy twice is my experience when it comes to the x70 matrix!

Jack

[happy diver]

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/vol...50-c70-s70-v70

[NI_Volvo_Nut]

How big a job is it to replace the matrix? Is it a dash out?

[capt jack]

Originally Posted by NI_Volvo_Nut

How big a job is it to replace the matrix? Is it a dash out?

In an 850 or p1 x70 it's comfortably less than 2 hours work, and no, definitely not a dash out job.

You'll need to remove the lower dash covers, pull back the carpets in both footwells, plus remove the plastic panels you'll find behind the carpet on either side of the centre console. It is all very straightforward.

Just be ready for spills when you disconnect the old matrix. You'll lose about half a litre of coolant.

The matrix is actually removed via the passenger footwell (in a RHD drive car).

It's not a difficult job, but remember to clamp off the two heater hoses in the engine bay just where they pass into the bulkhead behind the gearbox.

Cheers

Jack

[brickman]

Originally Posted by capt jack

Tried an aftermarket matrix? Yes

Are they OK? Yes and No. Cheapie-cheap ones for £25 from ECP etc are rubbish, but the ones that cost around £75 (inc postage) from PartsforVolvo online are really good. these also come with new O-rings and foam seal.

I fitted a £25 ECP on to our S70 last year....and this year had to replace it with the more expensive one from PFV.

Buy cheap buy twice is my experience when it comes to the x70 matrix!

Jack

Look up what I said in the others thread. The Estonian made 42mm thick core that's often reduced to £25 is fine, might want to replace foam with better stuff and goes for all matrix, wash the outside of them extremely thoroughly with degresser and then a trip through dishwasher unless you like the smell of warm cutting fluid through the vents

[Richard_TD]

This video guide is decent, except it's for an S70 so the process of getting to the matrix is different. On the 850 you have three T25 screws for each lower dash panel and there's no need to touch the glove box. Once you have the lower dash panels off it's the same.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cD7L9hzHtNo

I got one from ECP last week. They were only offering one kind, which they claim was made by BEHR. It was black like the one in Happydiver's link, not white like the one in ECP's picture. It came in a cardboard box and included the seals and two foam strips. It was about £30 with discount IIRC.