Can anybody tell me (step by step) how to remove pipes from heater matrix on a Renault Laguna 1.8RT 8valve 1997(R).Tried pulling hard but wont shift.Hard to get 2 hands on to pull. Blue clip on n/s of pipes can't be all that holds them on.

Many thanks

KS, December 2005

take clips off matrix pipes,start up till hot ,wear gloves pull gently

chic, August 2009

I tried to pull the pair of pipes off mine for about an hour, with the flimsy blue clip in every position possible. Eventually I gave up, took off the air filter and disconnected the tubes from where they meet the engine. (Conventional hose clips). I used a garden hose to flush huge amounts of detritus out of the matrix, going in both hoses until the water ran clear. The whole exercise was well worth it, the cockpit heater is superb now.

Dave Goodenough, November 2006

Hi,

I had the same problem with my Laguna, however the problem was I wasn't operating the blue release clip correctly, once I figured it out, the pipes came off real easy! Make sure that when you press the mechanism the back of the clip clears the lip of the pipes as you pull.

Tam, January 2006

Hi there!

I had a problem with the Heater Matrix on my Vauxhall Cavalier 1995 and I was gonna remove it and replace it with a new one. I drained the coolant out and then pulled both pipes from the Heater Matrix. Even after unclipping them they were really hard to pull off!! You've probably just gotta keep pulling and twisting until they're free.

Anyway after I got my pipes off and half my dashboard out to remove the old Heater Matrix I realised that I didn't have enough clearance between the last bolt head and the floor of the car to remove it so I left it and went and asked some questions. It turned out that I didn't need to replace the old Heater Matrix. (The problem with it was it had a small hole in and my heating system was blowing steam out). All I done was go and buy a bottle of Radweld and added it to my coolant system, ran the car for a while and it sealed it!!

So if your problem's the same as mine was, go and get yourself some Radweld for about 3 Pounds, (actually the Barrs brand's better for Heater Matrices), pour it into the coolant tank, and cross your fingers!!

Otherwise flex your fingers and give them pipes a good pull!!

Good Luck!!

Glen, December 2005