This thread is getting daft - whatever is thought about the original topic, there is a lot of mud flinging going on for no good reason from people who should know better.

It is possible to disagree without any name calling and flippant comments that will only inflame the situation. Get it back on track, or this one gets closed.

Regarding the reports we've had on specific members - they are allowed an opinion and I see no reason to single anyone out from this mess. Those doing the reporting need to stop, think and look in a cyber mirror...

Someone mentioned trolling - I can't see any trolling going on here, just a difference of opinion.

As for posting to increase post count - well <rolls eyes>

Well, just a final update in case someone didn't lose the will to live reading this thread!

I took the car to the local Ford dealer where I've moved to and explained the problem, and showed them the previous garage bill and diagnosis which states "no problem found with heater control valve".

The Ford guy said it was unlikely that the matrix would need replacing and suggested that the most likely fault was the infamous control valve.

So we changed this, £34 plus labour (about £35), and he also flushed through the matrix for me while they were doing it whereby a small amount of silt/dirt came out with all the liquid. It appears that this could have contributed a small amount but not enough to cause the problem.

Net result, problem now totally sorted, not the matrix at all but the control valve, which the original garage said was fine.

Live and learn.