Easiflush blocked heater matrix

STEWMOND · 27th January 2016, 13:55

Party Time!!!!!!! I now have heat blowing from driver & passenger side.
Since buying the car in April 2014 the heat from the passenger side progressively got colder, then the drivers side recently got colder. I'd looked at the threads on removing and cleaning the heater matrix, not easy at my age, maybe 30 years ago, no problem. My mechanic did flush the system, I was there, when I had new antifreeze added early November, but this did not help. I decided to check the inlet hose under the bonnet that goes through the bulkhead to the heater matrix, at normal running temperature, and the hose was very hot. The outlet hose from the heater matrix that returns through the bulkhead was cold. If there had been any circulation at all, it should have been warm. It wasn't.
I decided to flush out the heater matrix directly. This meant cutting both the inlet and outlet hoses in the engine bay. Before doing this I let the engine cool down and removed the radiator cap to release the pressure. I used 1 hose clamp on the inlet and and 1 hose clamp on the outlet pipe so as not to lose coolant from the engine side. I then cut through both pipes about 2 inches from the clamps.
I then back flushed the heater matrix with a hose pipe on full bore i.e. the outlet first. It was amazing the sediment that came out. I then flushed through the inlet hose. Still sediment coming out. I repeated this procedure until it was clear both ways. I then rejoined the hoses with 2 plastic hose connectors, clamping both sides with 4 Jubilee Clips. I ran the engine, but didn't have to wait until it was at running temperature for the result. Within 3 minutes I had heat from both sides with no variation to the touch.
On the subsequent test drive, it's the first time I was able to use the "Auto" control set to only 23 degrees. Phewwww!!
I must say it has surprised me, but if it happens again in the future, it won't be such a long job.

I have a photograph of the finished modification but cant seem to download it. I will keep trying. please respond if you know how. Thanks.

IMPORTANT NOTICE.....PLEASE DO NOT USE THE B&Q INLINE CONNECTORS. THEY MELT, CRACK AND BECOME DEFORMED.

USE THE MAFCO INLINE CONNECTOR AS THEY ARD MADE FOR AUTO USE.

SEE PHOTOS BELOW.

THE MOD IS STILL A GOOD ONE AND WORKS BRILLIANTLY

ALWAYS USE THE MAFCO INLINE CONNECTORS

PRODUCT NUMBER 455-7091 £1.25 EACH PLUS POSTAGE DIRECT FROM MAFCO

first-things-first · 27th January 2016, 14:15

Welcome and well done. Glad it was that "easy". If really full of crud, you would of thought it would be almost completely blocked up and hard to shift.

Later facelift cars like ours are a son of a female dog to get the matrix out, so this will help if I should need it. Touch wood mine works pretty well.

Some have suggested orange juice and then a flush, which may be acidic enough to clear deposits. Maybe pour some of that in. Leave for 30 minutes, add some Vodka and drink.

Of course no driving afterwards.

Maybe this should be part of the standard service - very 6,000 miles back flush heater matrix.

Darcydog · 27th January 2016, 14:39

Excellent idea - Tho I have no issues with heat in the cabin - I like the idea of being able to just flush out the heater matrix.

The issue on many Land Rovers is that the heater matrix rots and so you have to replace it - which is a real ball ache of a job. And it sounds like our cars are no different.

So flushing out the heater matrix to get rid of the crud that would sit and rust it through seems to me to be a good thing to do.

It's on my list to do now when the warmer weather comes

My only concern is that if that amount of crud came out - it would probably be a good idea to flush the engine as well.

STEWMOND · 28th January 2016, 12:58

Thanks for the reply. Added photograph of easiflush conversion. Hope its useful,
cheers
bruno

STEWMOND · 28th January 2016, 13:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by first-things-first

Welcome and well done. Glad it was that "easy". If really full of crud, you would of thought it would be almost completely blocked up and hard to shift.

Later facelift cars like ours are a son of a female dog to get the matrix out, so this will help if I should need it. Touch wood mine works pretty well.

Some have suggested orange juice and then a flush, which may be acidic enough to clear deposits. Maybe pour some of that in. Leave for 30 minutes, add some Vodka and drink.

Of course no driving afterwards.

Maybe this should be part of the standard service - very 6,000 miles back flush heater matrix.

Thanks for your comments. If the mod was a standard feature the it probably would be included in the 6000 mile service. Photo now added .
Cheers
Bruno

EastPete · 28th January 2016, 13:28

Hi Bruno
Not sure if it is my computer, but I cannot see the photo or get it to open when I click on it. I do not particularly like Photo bucket, so I often post photos as attachments simply by going into My documents folder - then to my pictures, and selecting the photo I want to show. The only issue with this is that you may need to resize the picture to 800 x 600 or so, otherwise it may be too big to be attached to the message. I think most computers have some basic photo editing software on them to allow you to do this (I actually have PhotoStudio installed on my computer that will do the re-sizing for me).

Thanks

Pete

sitch76 · 28th January 2016, 13:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by EastPete

Hi Bruno
Not sure if it is my computer, but I cannot see the photo or get it to open when I click on it. I do not particularly like Photo bucket, so I often post photos as attachments simply by going into My documents folder - then to my pictures, and selecting the photo I want to show. The only issue with this is that you may need to resize the picture to 800 x 600 or so, otherwise it may be too big to be attached to the message. I think most computers have some basic photo editing software on them to allow you to do this (I actually have PhotoStudio installed on my computer that will do the re-sizing for me).

Thanks

Pete

I think it was linked wrongly but hope the OP doesn't mind, I found it on his album:

DMGRS · 28th January 2016, 19:39

It's certainly something I'll need to do soon - I was thankful mine seems OK, until Mother dearest pointed out her blowers were only luke-warm whereas mine were toasty.

Just what I wanted to do in January...

ashy90 · 10th April 2020, 12:08

I just wondered if your inline connectors have held up with no leaks etc.?

ZedTeeT · 11th April 2020, 08:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashy90

I just wondered if your inline connectors have held up with no leaks etc.?

I'm afraid you maybe waiting a while for a reply, he hasn't been on here since 2018.

27th January 2016, 13:55	#1
STEWMOND Newbie ROVER 75 Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: MANSFIELD Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 28 Times in 5 Posts	Easiflush blocked heater matrix Party Time!!!!!!! I now have heat blowing from driver & passenger side. Since buying the car in April 2014 the heat from the passenger side progressively got colder, then the drivers side recently got colder. I'd looked at the threads on removing and cleaning the heater matrix, not easy at my age, maybe 30 years ago, no problem. My mechanic did flush the system, I was there, when I had new antifreeze added early November, but this did not help. I decided to check the inlet hose under the bonnet that goes through the bulkhead to the heater matrix, at normal running temperature, and the hose was very hot. The outlet hose from the heater matrix that returns through the bulkhead was cold. If there had been any circulation at all, it should have been warm. It wasn't. I decided to flush out the heater matrix directly. This meant cutting both the inlet and outlet hoses in the engine bay. Before doing this I let the engine cool down and removed the radiator cap to release the pressure. I used 1 hose clamp on the inlet and and 1 hose clamp on the outlet pipe so as not to lose coolant from the engine side. I then cut through both pipes about 2 inches from the clamps. I then back flushed the heater matrix with a hose pipe on full bore i.e. the outlet first. It was amazing the sediment that came out. I then flushed through the inlet hose. Still sediment coming out. I repeated this procedure until it was clear both ways. I then rejoined the hoses with 2 plastic hose connectors, clamping both sides with 4 Jubilee Clips. I ran the engine, but didn't have to wait until it was at running temperature for the result. Within 3 minutes I had heat from both sides with no variation to the touch. On the subsequent test drive, it's the first time I was able to use the "Auto" control set to only 23 degrees. Phewwww!! I must say it has surprised me, but if it happens again in the future, it won't be such a long job. I have a photograph of the finished modification but cant seem to download it. I will keep trying. please respond if you know how. Thanks. IMPORTANT NOTICE.....PLEASE DO NOT USE THE B&Q INLINE CONNECTORS. THEY MELT, CRACK AND BECOME DEFORMED. USE THE MAFCO INLINE CONNECTOR AS THEY ARD MADE FOR AUTO USE. SEE PHOTOS BELOW. THE MOD IS STILL A GOOD ONE AND WORKS BRILLIANTLY ALWAYS USE THE MAFCO INLINE CONNECTORS PRODUCT NUMBER 455-7091 £1.25 EACH PLUS POSTAGE DIRECT FROM MAFCO Last edited by STEWMOND; 2nd March 2016 at 09:20.. Reason: ADDING PHOTOGRAPH FOR EASIFLUSH

28th January 2016, 19:39	#8
DMGRS Discount MG Rover Spares Rover 75 CDTi, 2x MG ZS180 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Hythe, Southampton Posts: 11,320 Thanks: 456 Thanked 3,377 Times in 2,027 Posts	It's certainly something I'll need to do soon - I was thankful mine seems OK, until Mother dearest pointed out her blowers were only luke-warm whereas mine were toasty. Just what I wanted to do in January... __________________ Your trusted MG Rover specialist! Tel: 02380 001133 / Email: [email protected] We now have a 'chat' function on our site for even quicker replies. Give it a try! Remember - discount code FORUM5 for 5% off

27th January 2016, 14:15	#2
first-things-first Posted a thing or two MG ZT Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Hornchurch Posts: 1,255 Thanks: 176 Thanked 352 Times in 272 Posts	Welcome and well done. Glad it was that "easy". If really full of crud, you would of thought it would be almost completely blocked up and hard to shift. Later facelift cars like ours are a son of a female dog to get the matrix out, so this will help if I should need it. Touch wood mine works pretty well. Some have suggested orange juice and then a flush, which may be acidic enough to clear deposits. Maybe pour some of that in. Leave for 30 minutes, add some Vodka and drink. Of course no driving afterwards. Maybe this should be part of the standard service - very 6,000 miles back flush heater matrix.

27th January 2016, 14:39	#3
Darcydog This is my second home Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 5,428 Thanks: 3,123 Thanked 3,170 Times in 2,096 Posts	Excellent idea - Tho I have no issues with heat in the cabin - I like the idea of being able to just flush out the heater matrix. The issue on many Land Rovers is that the heater matrix rots and so you have to replace it - which is a real ball ache of a job. And it sounds like our cars are no different. So flushing out the heater matrix to get rid of the crud that would sit and rust it through seems to me to be a good thing to do. It's on my list to do now when the warmer weather comes My only concern is that if that amount of crud came out - it would probably be a good idea to flush the engine as well.

28th January 2016, 12:58	#4
STEWMOND Newbie ROVER 75 Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: MANSFIELD Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 28 Times in 5 Posts	Thanks for the reply. Added photograph of easiflush conversion. Hope its useful, cheers bruno

28th January 2016, 13:28	#6
EastPete Posted a thing or two Rover 75 CDTi Classic saloon, MGB GT, Skoda Yeti Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Ramsey, Cambs Posts: 1,874 Thanks: 626 Thanked 635 Times in 430 Posts	Hi Bruno Not sure if it is my computer, but I cannot see the photo or get it to open when I click on it. I do not particularly like Photo bucket, so I often post photos as attachments simply by going into My documents folder - then to my pictures, and selecting the photo I want to show. The only issue with this is that you may need to resize the picture to 800 x 600 or so, otherwise it may be too big to be attached to the message. I think most computers have some basic photo editing software on them to allow you to do this (I actually have PhotoStudio installed on my computer that will do the re-sizing for me). Thanks Pete

10th April 2020, 12:08	#9
ashy90 Avid contributor MG ZT 160 V6 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: West Sussex Posts: 132 Thanks: 1 Thanked 8 Times in 7 Posts	I just wondered if your inline connectors have held up with no leaks etc.?