Stook

# Out of interest, where did you find out that the instruction is to remove them as they are obsolete? Even if obsolete, there would be no reason to removed them other than in the case that they split. That would be an admission on VAGs part that they might split and they won't do that because that opens a can of worms. The reason I am interested is that my heater matrix is blocked and with Skoda now.

I have a blocked matrix now I am getting sorted. Coolant was rusty. Had blocked matrix 4 years ago but wasn't aware of the "tea bag" at the time so didn't push Skoda. Car was just under 4 years and got a flush. There is something suspicious going on with VAG and these matrix clogs. I am expecting a call from a customer relations manager this week. I spoke in length to service manager at local dealership who was helpful. When I had issues last time the dealership said that the coolant was contaminated. Almost suggesting that I put something in the system which is a ridiculous. The flush worked for 4 years and now have same problem. I suspect that there is corrosion in engine or radiator. Shouldn't be happening after 75k, 8 years and the cooling system has never been touched other than Skoda dealer up until just before Xmas when local garage did timing belt and water pump. No way that they could have caused damage in such a time that affected the matrix. It might be the tea bag. Might be something else.

The problem is knowing if the original teabag has split. Some tanks are double walled so impossible to know. Recommend getting a dealer to replace it because, any problems down the line and they cotton on that the tank has been replaced, Skoda won't be interested.

Avoid any Octavia Mk3 with a coolant expansion tank that has the words "Nit Silikat". Look carefully in the expansion tank for any signs of rust coloured crap. If the coolant isn't bright pink, run a mile...

Hopefully I've saved you a lot of money!! 🤑

I've just done a 10 mile drive. The 2 pipes going through the bulk head were at different temperatures. One was hot to hold. The other was too hot. The metal pipes going into the matrix are both very hot to touch. To me, this suggests that the hot water is going in to the matrix and leaving it at a slow rate with little pressure. By the time it's pushed through the bulkhead it's has cooled down significantly. I've also notice that the expansion tank has Mit Silikat on it. Looks like last time I had this issue 4 years ago they fixed it using the same part that likely caused the issue in the first place...

Did you get anywhere with this? I'm experiencing similar See this post of mine

Thanks for the reply. One pipe I couldn't touch for more than a second. The other pipe I could touch without having to remove it. I wouldn't expect that much heat to be lost even if I was getting full heat through the vents. I've seen a video on youtube where a guy replaces the heater matrix on what looks like a 13 plate Mk3. That's when they came in I think. It didn't look too difficult. Also, this thread explains the replacement so I don't understand the crazy costs quoted. I know the proper flush is about £500 but the matrix and a couple of hours work shouldn't be more than a couple of hundred quid. I think that the mk3 required the dashboard to be removed. One difference between this thread above and mine is that luke warm water is mentioned whilst mine is piping hot on one of the pipes going into the matrix.

Thanks. Really not impressed. A car should not have this problem after 45k and 75k miles.

Thanks. I found similar youtube and took for a drive. That didn't help. I did however notice that one of the pipes going into the matrix is actually a lot hotter than the other which suggests a blockage in the matrix. The coolant isn't particularly healthy looking either despite being replaced last week. So, 4 years and 30k miles after Skoda dealer fixed this, the problem seems to have returned.

This resetting of flaps rings a bell from last time. I'll see what I can find out from google. Other thing I thought is air lock. It's possible that the air has circulated since the belt/pump replacement and now trapped in the matrix. I've maybe only done about 50 miles since. I did notice that the coolant level was slightly below the min so there has been some air in the system after the replacement or, I guess it's possible that there is now coolant leaking from faulty water pump...however, I am not sure if that would affect the heating if level is just below the min.

Electronic climate control. I thought that all MK3 had these?

A few years ago I had an issue with no heat from the vents. Just cold air. The Skoda dealer charged me about £500 for a flush using their specialised equipment. There are other similar posts on here. Today, I am experiencing the same problem with no heat from the vents. Last week, water pump / timing belt were replaced but there was definitely hot air afterwards. I've pulled away the panel in the passenger footwell and felt both of the pipes going into the heater matrix when the engine was hot. They were too hot to touch to hold which suggests plenty of hot water is going in and out. Anyone have any ideas what might be causing the issue? Can a heater matrix have hot water going in and out but still be clogged?

Did you get anywhere with this? Sounds like the same issue I am having... https://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/457568-blowing-luke-warm-air/

I can't test this until this evening but from the playing around I have done already: With warm engine (90c) and temp at HI on fan blowing on high the air is cool. It's not as cold as the air outside so there is some warming of air. If I move to face or feet the amount of air blown is still high but the temperature remains the same. I can get a small amount of heat out of the left hand face vent only although perhaps a bit of heat out of the middle vents at one point. I didn't notice anything usual about the noise when changing speeds, direction and temperatures etc. I did notice a weird clunking noise going on when I turned the engine off a couple of days ago but that hasn't repeated since.