Heater Matrix Removal - flap foam

[Laser Mark 0]

In need of a bit of help.
Today I’ve had a go at removing the heater matrix without taking the dash out.
Using the step by step guide on vagdrivers, and adding a few of our own, we managed to get it out. 
(Defiantly a 2 man job, and preferably with someone who’s had a dash out before. Cheers Dave16v for the help today)
I would say it is possible to remove and replace, but it is a nightmare, hense the dash came out after.

After looking over the heater matrix the foam covering the flaps has completely perished and 90% has fallen away. Has anyone replaced it, if so, what is the part or where did you source the replacement from?
Also the foam on the duct at the end of the heater box and around the top of the centre ducts has just crumbled away. Is there a suitable replacement? Vw heritage doesn’t show one.

There are now more car bits in the garage, than in the car.
Hopefully once the matrix is sorted I can get it all back together and put the car in the garage.

[Cressa 44]

I used a neoprene foam strip that is adhesive on 1 side fof the seals, Ebay.

For the flaps I used felt and stuck them on. Plenty of choice but worth the effort. 

[fendervg 33]

For the heater box flaps I used self-adhesive foam like Cressa above  - available in A4 sheets from most arts and hobby shops. You can also cut it into strips to make up the seals - another idea I came across was to use draft excluder door seal strips from DIY stores and cut them to size.

You can buy the neoprene in sheets with an adhesive backing and then use a template to cut yout seal with a craft knife - that's how those seals are made, except by machine, not by hand.

Be very careful to make sure the control cables are properly attached to the box before refitting, as it's a pain to get to them afterwards - then hook them up to the controls and make sure they move freely, even with a bend on the cable before putting it back into the car.

[g0ldf1ng3r 15]

On 8/6/2022 at 6:32 PM, Laser Mark said:

In need of a bit of help.
Today I’ve had a go at removing the heater matrix without taking the dash out.
Using the step by step guide on vagdrivers, and adding a few of our own, we managed to get it out. 
(Defiantly a 2 man job, and preferably with someone who’s had a dash out before. Cheers Dave16v for the help today)
I would say it is possible to remove and replace, but it is a nightmare, hense the dash came out after.

After looking over the heater matrix the foam covering the flaps has completely perished and 90% has fallen away. Has anyone replaced it, if so, what is the part or where did you source the replacement from?
Also the foam on the duct at the end of the heater box and around the top of the centre ducts has just crumbled away. Is there a suitable replacement? Vw heritage doesn’t show one.

There are now more car bits in the garage, than in the car.
Hopefully once the matrix is sorted I can get it all back together and put the car in the garage.

only just seen this post - ive got a full guide with pics on how to do this job

so much easier with dash fully out

i email it out on request

[fendervg 33]

@cressa - will PM you. Nice to have for the archives seeing as the Canadian forum is gone - there is still one for dash out on vagdrivers.net

Watch out for the shouldered studs that secure the matrix and ducting to the bulkhead - these do not like to turn easily, or when they do will just spin in place without coming out. I had to remove on after lots of different methods by wedging a spanner in place on the nut on the engine size, and then using a large socket on it in the footwell - hopefully yours will come out easy.