A610 Heater Matrix Replacement.

Hi all,
I need to do some work on the air con on my A610 in that its now been identified that the condenser has 3 leaks in it so will need repairing or ideally replacing if I can find a suitable replacement. Likewise I'm looking at changing the radiator in what is after all a 26 year old car when the front bumper is off so this is my work plan for the coming winter months.

A further heating related problem that's come to light is that I'm getting misting of front screen every time I used the heater when its cold, in fact its better to have no heating on as the screen stays clearer, I'm also losing a very small amount of coolant and the smell from the screen vents smells like the coolant I'm using so all give away's that the heater matrix has sprung a leak somewhere.

I did read somewhere that the A610 heater matrix is the same as the one in a Renault 5 but I can't substantiate that. There are a few of these available on EBay for around the £30/40 mark:

Can anyone confirm what matrix I can use in my A610 please...? Also given I've never changed one is there any pointers I should be aware of before even contemplating changing it?
Any advice very welcome.

Cheers, Barry.

.

[The Saint]

Hi Barry,
I was told that the heater system in the A610 was taken from the R21... Just need someone else to confirm...

Before you start take some natura calm and chill out, READ the book it is not an easy job, nothing like a Gta. Good luck

GTA is a worse job ....I'm on about swapping the matrix out not whole system....POP on the A610 as it just pulls out in the bonnet area,GTA you have to take the dash out .
GTA uses R5gtt matrix 77 number but there are two types.....A610 is a 60 number but looks very similar,it might just be it has a few additions on the pipe exits .Not 100% as never compared the two and can't remember if I've ever swapped out 610 ..did I do that on yours Vince ??

[stephendell]

RHD A610 matrix is not a bad job at all.

Yep - just disconnect the pipes, unbolt the fixings and lift it out - after draining the coolant, obviously!

The R5 GT Turbo heater matrix does look very similar:

http://www.gt-turbo-spares.co.uk/cart/i ... =51&page=2

Andrew

Hi all,
Thanks for your advice.
What I will now do is get it removed in the next week or so and see if there is any part number on it.
Having looked at Renault 21 and Renault 5 Heater Matrix's for sale on EBay and elsewhere they do look very similar...but maybe different sizes. Ah the joys of owning an Alpine...!

Cheers, Barry.

[The Saint]

Well let us all know where this takes you, as I dare say, the rest of us with A610's, may at some point, be in the same position..

I have found out that the original Part Number for a right hand A610 is: 60 00 009 307. But a Google search hasn't bought anything up. I'll wait until I get the heater matrix removed and start comparing it with Renault 21 & 5 ones to see if they match.

Cheers, Barry

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Morning all,
Thanks for all of the helpful replies and comments on this topic, they really were appreciated.

I can now confirm that the A610 Heater Matrix is a Renault 21 item, in fact I recently acquired an old R 21 matrix and removed my matrix last night and they are identical in every way. In fact it looks like the whole heater system is Renault 21 from other photos I've seen.
It looks like my Matrix had been leaking for a long time and the leak was all around where the the metal parts of the matrix were crimped on to the plastic head unit from all the build up of dried crud in this area. In addition the slot where the matrix sits was wet through with old Type D coolant but luckily this is all plastic and in the base of this there are three small drain holes that feed out into the main drain hole underneath the heater unit itself.

Part Numbers are, Alpine: 60 00 009 307
Renault: 77 01 032 298
Valeo (the original manufacturer) : 883972

I trawled the internet looking for a Valeo one and they're just not available...for right hand drive cars that is, there are plenty for left hand drive Alpines but these are of no use as the inlet and outlet pipes are angled the wrong way.
There are a couple of right hand drive ones ones on E Bay from German companies but the postage charge is nearly as much as the item (search for item NRF Heater Matrix 58621)

Eventually I found a German company with, I think a UK arm: buycarparts.co.uk

They list R21 Heater Matrix's from 4 manufacturers but again, the only one they have is stock is an NRF one, cost including VAT and Delivery is £33.38 with a 3 to 5 day delivery window so I've registered with them and ordered one.

I'll post some photos as soon as I receive the new one, this is (hopefully a link to the sales page):

https://www.buycarparts.co.uk/nrf/2391895

Cheers, Barry

[mettersl]

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Thanks Barry...from the same place, the right part with all the installation bits too.

Your welcome Lee...and a doddle to install.
You will probably find that you don't need the plastic base shield. I tried to fit mine with this in place but the unit was then too tall. Take that off and it fits just fine...! The base of the matrix is well shielded by the box it fits in anyway and I just ran the supplied foam around the two sides and base so it makes a snug fit and ensures that all the air goes through the matrix and not around it.

Cheers, Barry.