is there a way of testing a heater matrix..

[slammage]

as above i have a spare mk1 cortina matrix for my corsair(same car basically) and before i yog £90 on a refurb, can i test this one for leaks? i remember the bloke who sold it saying he kept it becuase it was a good matix, but how exactly can i test it before putting it in? run a hose through it?

cheers chaps heres hoping

[cobblers]

Seal one end with a bit of hose and a bolt or something, then adapt a valve off an old inner tube in the other end and pump it up to about 15psi. Dip the whole thing in a bucket of water then look for bubbles.

Simple enough, just all depends on what you have kicking around to adapt from 5/8ths ID hose down to an 8mm ish tyre valve.


Or the lazy way, if you can get a garden hose on one side, stick your finger in the other and turn the hose on slowly. Mains water pressure is probably enough to pop a matrix (60psi ish vs 12-20 for a car cooling system) but you won't be able to hold your finger in the end anywhere near that.

[slammage]

I'm trying the lazy way haha thanks for that cobblers ,lets see if i can save the dosh and spend it on some front coilovers

[slammage]

tried it and it didnt leak from the matrix at all(hard to do with hose in one hand and other hand on the other opening). but i will try it in the car to be sure as theres nothing to loose if this one is a good matrix!

[ChasR]

I've had secondhand matrixes put into cars before (on my Porsche I believe the matrix costs as much as the radiator!) and testing them via Cobblers method seems to have worked.

Judging the hoses going into the matrix is a good indication generally though IMO (I.e how much rust is in there/has the cooling system been neglected?)

[ax16vts]

bike inner tube.

cut, jubilee clip both ends over the matrix pipe after filling with water and then pump up.

Depending on the pressure you want to go up to, you may need to wrap insulation tape round the inner tube to stop it swelling too much.

[rodney]

id just add it into the pipes of a running car for a few mins, tap into under bonnet heater pipes,.