Hi all!

I need some advice, I have a ford focus mk2 2005 1.6 and the heater matrix needs replacing...I have already removed the centre console and surrounding areas to see where the matrix is.

My question is does anyone know how to remove the matrix from the black plastic housing? I can't see where there's bolts holding it in place...

Any help would greatly be appreciated!!

To replace the heater matrix the entire dashboard needs to be removed. This is quite a labour intensive job.

Without removing the dashboard there is no way to remove the heater matrix from the heater housing assembly.

2 hours ago, JW1982 said:

To replace the heater matrix the entire dashboard needs to be removed. This is quite a labour intensive job.

Without removing the dashboard there is no way to remove the heater matrix from the heater housing assembly.

That's exactly what I was told when I had a heater matrix issue, thankfully, it was 'only' the more common fault of the 'O' ring failing at the pipe that goes into the matrix. My guy told me I was lucky as if the dashboard needed to come out, you also need to remove the doors as the way the car is manufactured, the dashboard is fitted first with various fittings then being concealed when the doors are eventually put on. Maybe someone could confirm this first, just in case he was wrong...

Thanks for the replies!! I thought I'd ask as I read that its either an dashboard out or you can get the matrix out by removing the centre console but it would be a tight squeeze...I'm trying to minimise taking out as much as I can due to not having that much space myself to put a dashboard somewhere lol. I did call local garages but they don't do matrix jobs.

On 11/13/2021 at 9:49 AM, StephenFord said:

That's exactly what I was told when I had a heater matrix issue, thankfully, it was 'only' the more common fault of the 'O' ring failing at the pipe that goes into the matrix. My guy told me I was lucky as if the dashboard needed to come out, you also need to remove the doors as the way the car is manufactured, the dashboard is fitted first with various fittings then being concealed when the doors are eventually put on. Maybe someone could confirm this first, just in case he was wrong...

I did have a damaged o ring and that was replaced and I was hoping that would have been it but unfortunately the matrix is throwing out all the coolant under the car...I have checked all pipes for leaks but unfortunately its all coming from the matrix.

If desperate you could bypass the matrix to stop the leak but not having any heating is not good at this time of year

24 minutes ago, isetta said:

If desperate you could bypass the matrix to stop the leak but not having any heating is not good at this time of year

I agree as it has happened at the worst time of year, I wouldn't have minded if it was warmer weather lol