VW Sharan - heater matrix bypass

[maghouse]

Morning all,

Thank you for allowing me onto your site - very informative - I can see many a happy hour to be spent reading this lot !

However, I have an issue :

I have a 1997 VW Sharan VR6 I have had since new - very reliable old girl but she has sprung a leak 

100% certain it is from the heater matrix but cant replace this until the summer ââ,¬Â¦ so need a work round and the heater bypass is the choice.

But - not sure which pipes to bypass ?

Are these the 2 pipes to join to bypass the matrix ? (Please see the photos)

Any help would be much appreciated.

[johnnyroper]

Yep linking those 2 will take matrix out the loop.

[Chrispb]

Yes as Johnny said, that will also allow the rear compartment heater to provide heat if still required. That's assuming you have that one working.

[brianh]

You might find access to be slightly easier if you remove the scuttle just above where your pic is taken, from memory of doing mine they are easier to get to from there. Taking the dash out to replace the matrix actually isn't as bad as you'd expect it to be on the mk1, once you find the two bolts in the scuttle area to remove that is.

FYI if your sourcing one, be aware the LHD and RHD ones have different heater matrixes (the top hoses change direction so the wrong varient will not fit!) as I found out when ordering a "cheap" one off eBay only to find once we had it apart weeks later that it wouldn't fit. If it hadn't been for that, we would have had it back together in the same day.

[maghouse]

Yes as Johnny said, that will also allow the rear compartment heater to provide heat if still required. That's assuming you have that one working.

Excellent ââ,¬Â¦ thank you 

Never thought of the rear heater !

[maghouse]

You might find access to be slightly easier if you remove the scuttle just above where your pic is taken, from memory of doing mine they are easier to get to from there. Taking the dash out to replace the matrix actually isn't as bad as you'd expect it to be on the mk1, once you find the two bolts in the scuttle area to remove that is.

FYI if your sourcing one, be aware the LHD and RHD ones have different heater matrixes (the top hoses change direction so the wrong varient will not fit!) as I found out when ordering a "cheap" one off eBay only to find once we had it apart weeks later that it wouldn't fit. If it hadn't been for that, we would have had it back together in the same day.

Perfect - thank you

I've had the scuttle out before so will do that ââ,¬Â¦ keep things easy !

Thanks for the LHD/RHD info - will look out for that ââ,¬Â¦ and the 2 bolts - the usual bolts that hold everything together you can never find 

[maghouse]

Yep linking those 2 will take matrix out the loop.

Thank you 

[brianh]

Perfect - thank you

I've had the scuttle out before so will do that ââ,¬Â¦ keep things easy !

Thanks for the LHD/RHD info - will look out for that ââ,¬Â¦ and the 2 bolts - the usual bolts that hold everything together you can never find 

The one you won't find without knowing its there, is behind the pollen filter housing on a RHD car, you can get to it without remvoing the filter housing, but you won't be able to see it. If you look where the one the other side which you can see is, its in the same position on the pollen filter side.

[johnnyroper]

On my mark 2 the worst parts were trim damage,the plastic had gone brittle so was easily damaged round screw holes. Also releasing heater box enough to lever away from bulkhead enough to extract the matrix. Not sure if mark 1 is similar set up though

[brianh]

The plastic on the mk1 fords was different and somewhat better from that point of view, I found the same on the mk1 lots of bits go brittle and snap. Not sure if that also includes the seat models as I've never seen inside one of those, may be the same dash or maybe not, though suspect mounting points for it are the same.

[maghouse]

The one you won't find without knowing its there, is behind the pollen filter housing on a RHD car, you can get to it without remvoing the filter housing, but you won't be able to see it. If you look where the one the other side which you can see is, its in the same position on the pollen filter side.

This will save a few swear words ââ,¬Â¦ thanks 

[maghouse]

Evening all,

Just a quick update - these were indeed the 2 hoses - a bypass now completed & no leaks !  Runs a little hotter than usual but to be expected I guess ?

The only issue to resolve is the fact one hose kinked slightly and has a restriction so waiting for a new piece of hose and connectors to make a longer bypass but so far so good 

So thank you all for your help and advice 

[Chris]

Anyone replacing the heater matrix might find this video useful: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=On7dVPDda-I
One bloke in comments says that you actually don't have to take out the instrument cluster (you just need to disconnect the cables) and you don't have to dismantle whole lower dashboard, but just loosen it enough so you can push out the upper dash.

[TFG]

That's a great video. Thanks for posting the link. Cabin heater matrix access on any car is always a bit of a pig. It must be one of the first items fitted when the cars are on the production line.

The rust on the bulkhead at around 9:30, where the matrix pipes pass through, is a bit chilling . Is that caused by the leaking matrix, or water trapped against the outside of the scuttle that's drained down from the wiper trough?