Hi All,

I have a 1995 Favorit GLXie with a heater problem. the car warms up to the correct operating temperature, but no heat comes into the car.

The pipe going into the matrix gets hot, so too does the pipe coming out, but if I put my hand on the heater unit, it is cold. I have followed to the letter the suggestions in the forums regarding a possible airlock, and have taken my time getting any air out of the system. It has been suggested that the matrix might be clogged up, with rust, scale, etc. Is this likely? There are products on the market that chemically clean the system, ie Radflush, and there is the mechanical way, taking out the matrix, and attaching a hose to it. I am unsure which is the best way to proceed. Any suggestions from someone who has had the same problem would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

It could be a blocked matrix or it could be a problem with the valve. You could flush the matrix without removing it by disconneting the heater pipes and using a hose. I find that you can remove more by back flushing it, getting the water to flow opposite to its normal direction. Valve kits are available from Jorily, but you'll need to get the correct one for your year of car.

Give reverse flushing it a bash - disconnect both hoses and connect a hose to the outlet (the cold pipe for you), and run water in - you'll soon know if it's blocked.

Many thanks for your replies.

I shall try that tomorrow.

Many thanks for your replies.

I shall try that tomorrow.

Sunday Afternoon. Got out the garden hose, screwdriver, spanner. A clean receptacle for my water/antifreeze mixture. Gloves on, lying on my back under the front of the car, ready to let out a little water from the system to make the job easier.

I got as far as shearing off the top of the drain plug!

Have now got no drain plug, water dripping into a bowl from the sheared off bolt, and no way of plugging the leak.

Happy Days :(

Join me in a drink to celebrate my good fortune!

You need a new matrix...very common Favorit problem...they used to be very expensive when the Favorit was current but quite cheap now.

I assume the sheered plug you refer to is the M8 threaded 12mm spanner size bung on the metal pipe to the lower radiator hose? If so just drill it out, [it's fairly soft] and replace with a short M8 bolt and flat washer.

You need a new matrix...very common Favorit problem...they used to be very expensive when the Favorit was current but quite cheap now.

I assume the sheered plug you refer to is the M8 threaded 12mm spanner size bung on the metal pipe to the lower radiator hose? If so just drill it out, [it's fairly soft] and replace with a short M8 bolt and flat washer.

Thanks for the reply Dave. I was thinking of just getting the pipe from a breakers, but if its that easy I will take your advice.

Thanks for the reply Dave. I was thinking of just getting the pipe from a breakers, but if its that easy I will take your advice.

When flushing in the past I have disconnected the lower hose to the radiator, that usually does the trick, then flush through from there. I have never disconnected the drainage bolt before, as its usually been siezed on!

The matrix itself is very easy to get at on the Favorit compared to most other cars where you have to strip the dashboard down.

When flushing in the past I have disconnected the lower hose to the radiator, that usually does the trick, then flush through from there. I have never disconnected the drainage bolt before, as its usually been siezed on!

well now I know!

Best way to learn is from my mistakes. I just hope I can get it done before it gets too cold.

Very true! :yes: There are many jobs I would differently having learnt from prior (bad) experience!

Very true! :yes: There are many jobs I would differently having learnt from prior (bad) experience!

My dads M reg Foreman is exactly the same! Heat from the inlet pipe, and heat from the outlet, and the matrix is getting hot too, just absolutley no heat in the vehicle! Checked the heat control mechanism, and externally its operating to maximum. I even back flushed it with a hose, which wasnt blocked at all, the water came through straight away. So what can it be? Can it be the flaps inside the matrix box, not changeing it over to hot? Any help would be much appreciated.

I had the same problem with my old favorit, i flushed the matrix out several times but it was still cold. In the end i put a new one in and hey presto, the heater wotked. Just in time for summer

I had the same problem with my old favorit, i flushed the matrix out several times but it was still cold. In the end i put a new one in and hey presto, the heater wotked. Just in time for summer

How much are they new from Jorily, does anybody know?

Jorily is charging £35 for the matrix but you might also need a new valve kit which is £14