View Full Version : Heater Matrix Whine
Hello,
Got a funny problem on the Williams - ever since I bought it, its had a whine at higher revs coming from the dash. The garage have now sorted it - its the heater matrix apparently. They've fixed it by restricting the lower hose to the matrix.
The matrix itself hasn't been brilliant for a while as its never really got very hot. Do both of these points mean the matrix is likely to go soon?
hello mate, ive got exactly the same problem although ive lived with it for 3 years now lol sounds like a mouse crying behind the dash :lol: afaik the only way to really stop it for good is to change the matrix. i would of thought blocking the lower pipe of the matrix is a bad move as its part of the cooling system, i could be wrong about that tho so would be good if someone else could confirm ....
Clio_GTT
17-10-2008, 18:28
I had the same thing, went away after i changed the heater matrix, dash out job, was a right bastard
haha I had this...
fixed itself for some reason... but Renault recently did the coolant and its back! (along with ****ing up the thermostat) - a new heater matrix is on the cards, it's not as difficult a job as people make out.. about 2-3 hours I'd say and you don't get covered in grease/oil
I initially thought it was the relaybox..
http://www.williamsclio.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=27956
white16valver
17-10-2008, 19:09
Yep, is blocked heater matrix pipes. Had it on mine but has gone away since matbrown flushed the matrix through iirc.
I want to change my matrix as it's weak and pathetic heat-wise :( but don't fancy the hassle... lol
Cliolord did a good guide on clio16valver :D
white16valver
17-10-2008, 19:46
I haven't got 'special access' :( lol
im selling mine
http://www.williamsclio.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=28315&highlight=
they're only about £30 from gsf anyway
genuine or spurious, you decide
you can order either a valeo or a behr one ;)
Thanks guys, good to know other people have the same problem!
i would of thought blocking the lower pipe of the matrix is a bad move as its part of the cooling system, i could be wrong about that tho so would be good if someone else could confirm ....
Its not blocked, just restricted (theres a screw clip thingy on it - can you tell I'm not technical?!) The first thing I asked was about whether or not it would screw up the cooling system. It seems not as the matrix is on a 'loop' off the main circuit which goes round the engine. I'm going to monitor engine temps etc and see how it goes - if the engine isn't being cooled properly, I'll remove the clip.
Renault recently did the coolant and its back!
Renault did my coolant as well mate, about 4 months ago. It was whining before that but not as bad as it did.
Been quoted 6 hours labour for the matrix. Cost me £500 in total to replace on my old car so not really wanting to do that unless I have to!
tis true, the matrix is on a loop, so if it blocks it is bypassed, but thats also why it blocks, good old renault :lol:
as for 500 quid bill, how about no scott, daka daka daka, 30 quid for the part from gsf and a days work on the drive :wink:
Just in case anyones interested, I've driven the car for about 100 miles now and all is well - the whine has gone, the heater still works and the coolant temp is fine. I'll take a pic of the clip(s) if anyone wants it.
pic of the clip and position would be good :D
white16valver
20-10-2008, 19:23
you can order either a valeo or a behr one ;)
Which is betterer??
think it depends what was fitted originally..
most are valeo that i have seen..
all the ones i've seen have been behr :D (so that's what i ordered to replace it)
http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z18/Matteh449/F4R/DSCF1235.jpg
afaik, they're the same fitment
white16valver
21-10-2008, 12:51
Seriously considering doing this - I can't do another winter with either 'cold' or 'tepid' blowers lol
talkingfish
21-10-2008, 17:03
was the noise at about 4,000rpm and above?? My matrix is knackered too... I have no heat at all - fortunatley the car does not get used too much in winter... brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr :oops:
Seriously considering doing this - I can't do another winter with either 'cold' or 'tepid' blowers lol
Air lock in matrix mate. Had it on valver and williams. You may have a slight coolant leak somewhere that lets in bubbles. These bubbles get into the matrix and radiator.
Take coolant bottle cap off, and slowly undo the radiator bleed screw, listen for hissing and then bubbly coolant/water coming out. Wait till it flows clear with no bubbles. Do up bleed valve, top up coolant bottle, run engine with cap off for 15 mins or so till fan kicks in. I always squdge the hoses that go into the matrix too to help push out a blockage :)
Then pop yer cap back on. Yer sposed to run it some more after that but its up to you.
Voila, fixed matrix. May not always do it first time though.
white16valver
21-10-2008, 18:40
Cool!
Will try that :D
Thank you very much my good man :D 8)
Cool!
Will try that :D
Thank you very much my good man :D 8)
If I can do it, anyone can! It may not work though...
white16valver
22-10-2008, 17:51
Now he says... ;)
LOL
pic of the clip and position would be good :D
Here you go:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y234/mike_tcb/Williams/DSC00224Small.jpg
Its not the best pic as it was only taken on the phone. The clip marked 'IN' is the main one for the whine, according to the garage (the pipe itself is the one carrying coolant TO the matrix). I've had it on for about 300 miles now but the whine is coming back, slightly, so I'll be tightening the clip a little bit to let less coolant through. Its pretty obvious this is only a temporary measure.
The garage also put a clip on the 'OUT' pipe (the one carrying coolant FROM the matrix) - this is because it was apparently swelling really badly.
Perhaps the whine is related to an air lock or something? I'll probably try Wobbas trick and see if that fixes it. The heater is rubbish anyways so it'll help by the sounds of things.
i tried many times to cure this on my old RT... never cured the problem, only a new heater matrix will do the trick. you could try flushing the system loads and loads, or perhaps just flush the matrix... might help a bit but it'll prolly come right back sharpish.
Fair enough, thanks, I figured that might be the case. Its not getting a new Matrix till next year though, its had enough of my money!
white16valver
23-10-2008, 13:19
They're only 30-odd quid! :P
Maybe but I don't have the space to work on the car myself, nor would I really want to as I've not done anything remotely as big before.
white16valver
23-10-2008, 18:06
Fairy nuff :)
Although, having only tinkered before, I managed to get the power steering pipe behind the alternator done all by my lonesome so I think braveness is the key! :D lol
I'm game for doing the matrix myself, it's just a bit cold outside for my liking now LoL
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