Citroen C4 Picasso heater core/rad/matrix replacement, Murphyslaw

[@sixmagpies]

Absolutely brilliant tutorial video -- A to Z, every little 'adventure' resolved --- Best I've ever seen. Thank you.

[@murphyslaw2020]

Thanks so much for the nice comment. Glad it helped

[@kdcooke85]

Thank you for this. I took the punt that this was my problem after checking the little motor flaps. Once I took the matrix out, I confirmed it was the problem by putting hot water in the matrix and only one side heated up. I purchased an aftermarket matrix from eBay for about £45. Its a fiddly job, but achievable for an amateur DIY mechanic. Take your time in getting the o rings to sit correctly, I had to re-do one as one side had a drip. I left everything apart for a few days to monitor for leaks. Problem fixed. Thanks for the guide again, saved alot of money doing this myself

[@murphyslaw2020]

Great to see it worked out for you. Not a bad job

[@Phil_Barker]

Brilliant video. There's not much info on this online but a very common fault. My sisters C4 Grand Picasso 2016 had the common fault of a little heat from passenger side, none at all from drivers side. Watched this video and swapped the heater matrix out, took me 30 minutes, problem completely fixed 😄

[@murphyslaw2020]

Great to hear it worked out for you

[@MrMarcportelli]

Thank you so much. I just followed this and the problem was solved.

[@murphyslaw2020]

Glad it helped

[@gillianweeks]

Thanks so much for sharing this.

[@simonfisher836]

Great video - I have a 2014 Grand picasso, looks exactly the same as this inside. I have a weird problem that only passenger side gets hot, and not that hot either. Also sometimes the drivers side does heat up. Guess it could be the flaps but wondering if there is air inside or a blockage. I will try and open that bleed screw at the back first

[@murphyslaw2020]

Yeah that's Frist port of call try bleed it. The small bit of heat you can feel is just the preheater running. The core maybe blocked if the flaps test out ok

[@simonfisher836]

@@murphyslaw2020 Thanks for the advice!

[@dimitrisgiannoulis9469]

@@simonfisher836 Hi, I have the same problem. Did you found any solution?

[@kdcooke85]

Possible suggestion here to check the center flaps,. You can easily remove the center vent above the touch screen. It's clipped in and can be popped with a trim removal tool. Once removed can see down to some flaps. In my case I can see them moving for both sides. I do have the common issue of little heat on the driverside and it's okay on the passenger side. Sorta says to me I have a matrix issue.

[@murphyslaw2020]

@@kdcooke85 you probably have the same issue as me on your car

[@kadirtapti]

Thank you 👋

[@murphyslaw2020]

No problem

[@peterfoy7298]

I’ve got a 2008 c4gp, blocked heater core. Where did you source your replacement, as my hose attachments are looking different. Two vertical pipes on an oval that comes through the bulkhead…

[@murphyslaw2020]

Sorry only seen this now I got from the main dealer

[@tugrulkaynak2885]

Wie ist es mit den Autos wo der Lenkrad auf der linken Seite ist? Muss ich da die gleiche Stelle aufschrauben also die auf der fahrer Seite?

[@murphyslaw2020]

Yes it's very similar. You just need to get it past the steering column it's a little tight. Someone in comments did one .

[@abitofeverything7736]

Please HELP I've got same issue but the passenger side works perfectly, is only the driver side that doesn't put out hot air, if I'll put the AC on it works fine on both side. Could this be the matrix?

[@murphyslaw2020]

Hi you need to see if your car has split zone climate control first

[@abitofeverything7736]

@@murphyslaw2020 Hi mate, yes I can adjust the temperature on both side, the full driver side doesn't put out hot air but passenger it does both front and back, sometimes i can feel hot air on the driver side, on the passenger side perfectly fine no issues and If put the AC on it works fine on both side.

[@murphyslaw2020]

@@abitofeverything7736 hi you you should do a few tests and make sure the flaps are working turn on the AC and make sure the AC is coming out of the 3 position ie top windscreen, middle and bottom feet on the side that has no heat. Sounds like the flaps are not your fault but it's an easy test. Then look at the pollen cabin filter and make sure its not blocked or in bad condition they should be replaced every year or so anyway. Make sure the engine coolant level is ok and I'd try bleed the coolant from the pipes at the back as I did in the video. If it doesn't get any better it's probably the heater rad like in the video You could try test the temperature of the rad with Lazer temp gun let me know if you want to go this road

[@eb4753]

Hello, I have c4 also and my problem is strange i thought maybe you can help please I also don't get any air hot air inside only very little warm sometimes or cold. I have changed thermostat with no help still no hot air. Whats strange is that one of my hoses that go to heater core is cold one is hot. I tried flushing it with garden hose and water does go through... If it take bleeder screw off one of the pipes that goes to heater core which is top one that is cold there is nothing happening unless i take coolant cap off then water starts to flow little

[@murphyslaw2020]

Sounds like the core is blocked. It's a flow and return pipes, so it should be hot in and cooler but still hot after some energy is taken out of the hot water by the fan etc

[@CarlSmith-i8i]

Do the pipes fit in tight on the new heater core? Reason is I’ve bought a new one from eBay and after tightening the clamps it’s leaking badly from the clamps

[@murphyslaw2020]

They fit in flush with the core .Did you fit the o rings .

[@CarlSmith-i8i]

Am going to remove the old rings with the new ones and see if that stops the leak.

[@murphyslaw2020]

@CarlSmith-i8i put some rubber grease on the new o rings when you fit them. It will help them seal and easy fitting. I might have said it in the video i don't recall

[@vd1170]

Thanks a lot 🙏

[@murphyslaw2020]

Hope it help 👍

[@solveigogfredrik]

Thanks for a great video. Do you need to drain the coolant first? I have the problem with heat only on one side, but when the engine is cold, the electric heater is providing heat. But also then I only have heat one one side, making me think it is a flap problem.

[@murphyslaw2020]

I didn't drain the coolant on this car not much comes out only afew 100lm. I had flushed the coolant on this car afew days before hand. You can test the flaps by using the AC and see if it works on the side your not getting heat it's probably the rad

[@solveigogfredrik]

@@murphyslaw2020 how do you mean I can use the AC to test the flaps? I turn the AC on, and low temperature, then the flaps should open to let cool air in? I tried it (well, it's cold outside in Norway now in Feb), and it seems to work. But I can't understand why I have a difference in temp while the electric heater is the only heat source, if the flaps are working?

[@murphyslaw2020]

@@solveigogfredrik hi You said you have no heat on one side? Do you split zone climate control ?

[@solveigogfredrik]

@@murphyslaw2020 Yes

[@murphyslaw2020]

At 6:20 in the video you can see the flaps. So if you can get AC on both side the flaps are probably working . I'd say it's the rad. Have you tryed bleeding the coolant

[@amirgunic8984]

Thanks man for this video. I just working about that. This is UK car. I have Europe car. Which side is heater, on cassete side or left side in my car. Thanks a lot.

[@murphyslaw2020]

I'm not 💯 sure but I'm going to say it on the same side as the video. It would be very easy for you to find out just pull the bottom cover off any look for the coolant pipes On the rhd the covers on diver's side as easy to pull off. You may have less space and hopefully the pedals are not in the way to much Hopefully that helps

[@grabryx]

I have hot on left door, not very hot on left Central, Lukewarm right Central, cold right door. I disassembled both sides below and the flaps work fine. Most likely it is the radiator. The round-trip pipes are hot hot. Correct? As soon as I can I buy one and try to change it. But when you disassemble a lot of water comes out? How to top it up? Thank you

[@murphyslaw2020]

Hi not a lot of coolant leaks out about 500ml but you may need more. You top it up in the engine bay and will need to blead the coolant out. It's hard to get at but watch the video at the end and I talk about it/ show you

[@grabryx]

I see, i dont speak English very well but maybe I understand. I will try, Thanks a lot for the video

[@murphyslaw2020]

@@grabryx hi just ask if you need help and maybe try put the subtitles on in the video it might work

[@grabryx]

I found it! Its very difficulty to get with hand but I tried and I get there. I wanted to try to see if maybe there was air in the circuit but no, Cold air is still coming out to the right. I think it's the radiator. But it is strange that a left side works and the right does not work, maybe the radiator is clogged in half!

[@murphyslaw2020]

I would say your right about it been halfway blocked. Hopefully the rad will fix your problem

[@DiMiXZQ]

We're can buy new matrix heater, as result in Euro car parts they out of stock! If is possible send me the serial number of rad.

[@murphyslaw2020]

Try Citroen not sure what the price difference would be, worth the call to find out

[@stephanemalikconstantinide6051]

Very nice video, for my case i got air but not heating since a head gasket, do you think i need to change the core thanks?

[@murphyslaw2020]

I'd say there is air in the core try bleeding from the little black cap value in the engine bay just don't drop it 😁

[@stephanemalikconstantinide6051]

The one on top behind the air filter?

[@murphyslaw2020]

@@stephanemalikconstantinide6051 hi yes the one behind the air box you can see were I pointed it out in the video. It's hard to see, you can remove the air intake pipe / air box it may give you more room but you can get your hand in with out moving anything. Iv dropped afew of the caps over the years especially when hot

[@PizzaLov3r]

I have the same problem with my car. Same model c4 Picasso 2015 model. Driver side is cold, passanger side semi warm. Looks like this is the culprit.

[@murphyslaw2020]

I'd say so

[@richn643]

Hi Murphy what's the cause of my drivers side blowing luke warm air but passenger side a lot warmer any solutions greatly appreciated,by the way I've already replaced the the heater matrix radiator thanks

[@murphyslaw2020]

Hi have you looked at the flaps on the heater box

[@richn643]

@@murphyslaw2020 Hi yes I tested both actuators but for some reason the bottom flap lever won't move although the actuator works when you swap them round,very odd

[@murphyslaw2020]

@@richn643 could be the controll unit or a wiring problem have you a diagnostic tool. on some cars you can operate the flaps from the tool etc. They might need to be set up etc like full open and full closed but I'm not 💯 if this works on this car

[@richn643]

@@murphyslaw2020 Hi Murphy I don't have a diagnostic tool of any quality and to be honest,not prepared to pay hundreds of pounds for a decent one,however thanks for the extra info,more investigation needed,much appreciated 👍🏻

[@murphyslaw2020]

Hope you get sorted the cold weather is kicking in now. Was thinking if you pull off the motor but leave the wire plugged in and see if it operates. Set it to closed / open and manual close / open the flap if you get me and refit it

[@kamilchmielowiec9101]

Hi, is the same with the 2.0blue hdi engine ? As i can imagine that is 1.6 blue hdi

[@murphyslaw2020]

Hi yes it should be the same. Just think there might be an extra bleed screw on the thermostat housing if I recall correctly.

[@pjowen77]

Hi buddy great video, one question did you drain your coolant first?

[@murphyslaw2020]

Would probably best to do a flush first. But I just used a little container and some rag's to catch any coolant not much came out if I recall

[@michaelkeeley5229]

How's it going, great video, I have a c3 picasso with exactly the same problem. No heat in the cabin. Got a guy to check the aircon and gas is leaking from the condenser but I don't need aircon (being from Dublin), just heating. If I can get heat from the heater instead I'd be happy. He mentioned it could be the heater matrix. How much do you reckon it would cost for a job like that and where are you located? 👍

[@murphyslaw2020]

Hi it was hard to 💯 say it was the matrix But I checked everything. I think the price of the job was around 450, it was a warranty job. On a side note you may get some hot lukewarm air every now and again this is from the pre heater you so in the video

[@bogdanxp2000]

Why change it and not trying to flush it clean? Thanks

[@murphyslaw2020]

I tried flushing first, didn't work so I had to change it. It was under warranty so we just fit the new part. You could try cleaning it but if I recall it was like hard scale. Let me know if you clean one and what you used thanks

[@bogdanxp2000]

@@murphyslaw2020 Ok, i will try to take it out and see what's inside and how to clean it. Thanks

[@СергейНеобязательно-з1у]

Mine grand picasso has 0 heating. Aircon works and if put on highest setting the car feels like a fridge. Do all of tgem come with electric heater? Could that one be faulty as well in my case? I couldn't find any fuse for it in the manual...

[@murphyslaw2020]

Just pop off the kick panel and have a look and see if it has the heater. The heater core is most likely blocked. The electric heater is not great anyway it normally only works when you start the car

[@viku5319]

hi dear . are you can said me please where you find the radiator. i look on all car parts shop and they don't have. thanks

[@murphyslaw2020]

This part I got was from the main dealer for Citroen.

[@viku5319]

@@murphyslaw2020 thanks for you reply

[@ukaszhajdo3666]

Hi, anyone managed to replace heater in left hand drive version? I need to replace it and was looking if there could be a problem and if not pedals the steering column could stay on the way... QUICK UPDATE: I just managed to replace it. Pedals are not a problem but steering column is on the way by about 1cm. Using a little bit of force to angle heater did a trick and I was able do it. I did not bleed coolant, there was like maybe 200ml going out of the pipes. In mine car the clips on pipes were made of plastic and while dimantling they have broke. With new matrix there were new metal ones. They did not fit well and at first after doing a test, there was coolant leaking out of pipes. I needed to unmount them, play with their shape with some pliers and remount them. After that no leakage. Also I did not open bleed valve cause I couldnt find it (in EU car there is a brake fluid container on the way). I just opened the main coolant container and left it open for 30 minutes while engine running, then I turned off engine, waited a few minutes and then refilled it to MAX indicator.

[@murphyslaw2020]

Thanks for the update glad you got sorted