Replacing the Heater Matrix in my Mk2 Golf

*if following this video there are nuts on the engine bay side bulkhead that need to be removed before the heater will come out, this got missed out when editing the video**
After owning this car for two years and doing lots of work to it, including rebuilding the engine, welding up the body and numerous other bits and bobs, i finally got the car on the road! There's plenty left to do to the car but with winter on it's way i thought i'd get the heater working, and as i've got big plans for this car in the future i thought i'd introduce him to our youtube channel. The next videos for the golf include lowering the car by fitting coilovers and banding the steel wheels. I hope you enjoy! - Beth
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[@ianchristopher5430]

I would be so proud if I had a daughter like you, keep up the good work.

[@user-bm9kc9vn6t]

...

[@BatuhanErol]

Id love to have a gf like her. So I ride, she fixes.. Good deal :D

[@DWatso]

I always feel like car manufacturers start the car build process with the heater matrix, then just keep attaching things until it becomes a car...

[@LangersVW]

Daniel Watson ha ha sooo true

[@thegooserider7245]

It takes wizardry

[@95Jester]

True, i did mine 3 years ago, but my friend's Mk3 was real pain in the a$$. And don't mention newer cars. 😔

[@roberthudson4822]

Step 1: Locate and Install Heater Matrix into build jig. Step 2: Build the entire vehicle around previous step.

[@trevorpomroy550]

Absolutely!

[@Gallagamer97]

You are the second tuto I was looking for... I just changed mine after it broke down last month thanks to your tuto. A bit of work was needed, also a bit stresfull when not used to change things on an old car but now its working fine. Now I have to change painting but right now its all I needed. Thank uou very much ! Cheers from France ✌️

[@dwigley1977]

That brings back memories! I had to do that on my Mk2 some 20+ years ago. I had the tell tail wet patch in the passenger foot well. Mk2s are fantastic cars to work on and easy to upgrade. Good on you Beth.

[@tonybrewster988]

thanks for this - yes agree with those comments below, its great seeing younger folk (especially women!) spannering away on older cars. Im 67, Ive had my Mk2 gti for about 20 years, still love it. Your taste in cars and music stays with you! These were THE car to have when i was younger. Anyway found your vid very helpful, I ve already had the matrix crap itself in a violent steam explosion on another Golf I had a while ago, a total pain to clean up. So now Ive got the dread smell of antifreeze in the cabin, and a white film appearing on the inside of the windscreen - now Im doing this one before it explodes. Who would have though that composite plastic radiators wouldnt last more than 30 years!

[@larrylupo2915]

So pleased to see a young lady interested in mechanics. Keep it up. You’re already better and more careful in your work than some adult (male) mechanics I know. Well done. 👍🏻

[@radmansa5514]

Learnt something new today, I though one had to remove the entire dash, to do this job on these models, thanks for sharing 👍😎👌

[@VR6_SKC]

I removed the whole dash on my mates car without looking up how too remove it correctly, the time we wasted

[@thetimelord-vs5zi]

Why is it I can never find a good looking girl who loves ripping cars apart keep it up love

[@thetimelord-vs5zi]

And u can mig weld it doesn't get much better than that love nice one lol

[@savetommyrobinsonfreespeec7660]

Great job! When doing this much work, alway test everything when it’s removed so you know it all works correctly before reinstalling! I’ve been a mechanic since the age of 16. I ran a workshop/garage near Bournemouth, England for 20 years, I’m now 50! You my lady are one of the most enthusiastic young persons I’ve ever seen, that’s ever! (And I had a lot of trainees). You have a Lovely nature, great positive outlook, and probably great parents!? Ps... the best traits for a mechanic include being clean and tidy throughout each job, using the correct /best tool for the job, safety at all times, and most important of all, being methodical with everything you do! Keep up the good work! Remember, you’re only as good as you’re last job! I used to say that to all my workers! Ps... you also need a photographic memory! 😂 I can’t stop watching, I start talking to you via the screen, trying to prompt you at each step, just like an old school mentor! Some of the jobs you do I’ve done a million times and I know the pitfalls and remedies to fix faults. In time you’ll master the tricks of the trade! 🧐🙂 best of luck in your future!

[@johncourt9580]

Hi Beth I would never have attempted this major job and to film it all so professionally just amazes me and I'm sure you've just encouraged a new breed of DIY's to have a go at this very common heater fault.

[@robertreynolds9228]

Good job sweetie. I really like your work ethic. Problem solving and your handling of tools shows me you were taught well.

[@andrewlitchfield4843]

Wow brings me back to my MK2... Good old things and enjoying your videos :)

[@MrTech1210]

I’ve just found your channel today, and watched loads of your videos, I’m enjoying them so much 😃👍🏻. It’s amazing to see how good and passionate you are with these cars. My first car was a Mk2 Golf nearly 20 years ago, it was a tornado red 1.3 driver but highly modified to a big bumper GTi lookalike. Such a good car it was, i had a 1.6 after that. I’d really like a proper 16v GTi one day. I’ve subscribed and looking forward for more videos 😊

[@Shazzzam74]

Amazing work! You deserve way more than 10k suds. Look forward to future videos.

[@TheMaccatakker69]

Nice Tidy Classic Beth, Inspirational to other folk your age. Thanks for sharing.

[@barryjames8374]

Very talented Beth in what you do cracking work!

[@twistedsniper42]

Nice work and a classic motor looking forward to the coil overs video.

[@BenzwreckerDortmund]

hey, supercool video! that remembers me, when i was learning my job in vw garage. i`ve changed thousands of heat exchangers on this modell. don´t forget to put the original vw bypass on vorlauf / rücklauf. that will protect the heat exchanger from overpressure. my daughter is 13 now, i will show her that video... thumbs up!

[@MiracleMitch]

Love the way Beth just drops in the 'I've rebuilt the engine already...' comment at the beginning. Some of us can do that but a lot can't even change a tyre, men or women! Matrix jobs, one of my least favourite car tasks. Keep it up these are very good informative videos. Wish I knew how to do the media and film editing stuff too!

[@zizipoil]

I don't have a Golf anymore but I will give you a thumb up and subscribe just because you are the very first woman I see posting car fixing videos. And that's good to see! Also your format is to the point. Keep it up!

[@694069406940]

loved watching and nice car keep up the good work 👍

[@ts6577]

Awesome. Nicely done! Thanks for doing this! Mk2 are the best to look after and to drive :)

[@Finne72]

It is a pain in the butt job but very rewarding. Well done!

[@Mk2Dave]

Good work! i look forward to seeing the Mk2 on coilovers and banded steelies! should look pretty sweet👌

[@CSSSOLIVEIRA]

Nice and professional work!

[@philliplopez8745]

Removing the seats can be a great aid to a project like this .

[@JackTheTool]

Lovely MK2! Looks very clean, im currently welding my 16v shell up 👍🏼

[@starfucker186]

This brings back memories for me. I owned an '86 Golf, 5-speed. I loved that thing. I had to do a water pump on it and it was a pain. I eventually traded it for an '89 Honda Accord LXi 5-speed. I loved both of these cars. They just don't make them like they used to.

[@davidcoughlan9543]

nice one tidy mk2 working on dashs and heaters in particular can be a head wrecker tight spaces etc hundreds of clips screws well done keeping the old girl on the road look forward to the next update

[@finlay230]

class car, look forward to see you mod the car in the future !!!! keep up the great vids, love em !!!!

[@evolity_]

great work. watching cause I need to do it too, thanks for the video!

[@Sigtrygg_Gale.]

Keep up the great work 🤘

[@squarepeople3275]

About to do mine on my 92’ the heaters are insane in the Mark 2’s (when they’re working at least) cheers, and thanks from Canada for the demonstration!

[@nzrestoration9486]

I had a VW golf Mk2 red stripe Gti when I was a young man, best car l have ever owned, did everything well. I can remember that the heater matrix was the subject of a manufacturer recall, they had a weakness in the pipe which steamed up the windscreen when you put the heater on! Hence the free recall to replace it. Early 90s I think .

[@urbanfireblade]

Wow thats a fair old job to tackle, not as easy as it looks. Don;t see many Mk2 Golfs nowadays, ive had a Mk1 GTI and 2x mk2 GTI's, brilliant cars. Great to see your keeping this one going. Really good to watch.

[@deggs1975]

Just stumbled onto this video. An hadn’t seen it yet even tho I’m subscribed. A pleasant surprise for sure. The core in my 91 Jetta mk2 Went suddenly at an intersection on the one of the hottest days of the year As I was merging into traffic. It poured right onto my right foot on the accelerator to avoid getting hit I had to keep my foot on the accelerator. Hardest 30 seconds of my life haha! Pro tip chuck taylor covered shoes don’t offer a lot of protection from Boiling coolant. I needed up doing this same job with a Burnt and bandaged foot. Keep up the good work.

[@nathanbrownhill9470]

Man, those tigh-in heater boxes are ALWAYS a pain in the ass. I was watching and in my mind I was thinking...how frustrating it is. But, nice job!

[@christopherbassell423]

Lol I might be in love!! Nice work 😍

[@richardcarswell4208]

Great video very informative keep up the good work.

[@Cornishmaid67]

Great video. My son has a G reg Mk2 almost identical to yours ... just had to tape up the sunroof for the winter too. Good on you for keeping another MK2 on the road :)

[@usherengineering179]

Thankyou, great to hear, he's got good taste in cars!

[@argjentzahiti]

Like always perfect , good job

[@JohnnyK2811]

I hope my daughter turns out to be like you, into cars and taking on jobs that I probably wouldn't.

[@markpiper8082]

I like the container you drained the coolant into and the nice trim removing tools 👍👍😂😂

[@usherengineering179]

Hi it was'nt coolant just rusty coloured water, i knew i would have to drain it sooner or later so i had'nt put the antifreeze in until i'd done the matrix, thanks for watching Beth

[@markpiper8082]

@@usherengineering179 ill let you off then 😂😂 thats a nice easy one to do

[@mcjjordan]

Well done, last time i did one i pulled whole dash out a foot then done it from above, your way looks alot easier

[@belaorban1651]

Thanks Beth, I will try to do the same thing on my MK2 from 1988 :-) Your video is very helpful for plastic parts (every details not described in Haynes 286 pages - service and repair manual) Thanks again, ;-)

[@TheChadwinkle]

Thanks, super clear vid, really handy!

[@notsofresh8563]

Pro tip: if you ever need to do under dash work like this again, take out the drivers seat first. It is only 4 bolts and greatly reduces the need to be a contortionist.....

[@ciaransynnott7958]

Only 1 screw and nut in an old VW I was thinking the same thing the but I'm old and stiff she looks far more flexible than me so no problem for her lol

[@mafiaopaleira]

VERY LEGAL VIDEO we are here from Brazil following your car project ;)

[@robinjansen8522]

Damn! If i had seen this earlier i could advise you to duct tape the heater valve holes shut. I’ve replaced countless mk2 exchangers and always i split the heaterbox in two and put tape on the metal valves with the holes in it. If i remember correctly there used to be a foamy kind of tape on them and they direct the air through the selected vents, but will leak if they are open. Very nice work though, thanks for bringing an old mk2 into such good shape!

[@michaeljohnson-li5nn]

I sold my Golf Mk2 Gti to fund the purchase of my new Golf Mk7 R. Had the Mk2 for nearly 20 years and I can honestly say it was by far the best car that I had ever owned. It was starting to show its age when I sold it, small amount of rust around the fuel filler cap and on the bottom of the doors. A few months ago I attended the Newark Autojumble and was stuck in the queue of cars waiting to leave. I checked in my mirror and I could see a Mk2 in the queue directly behind me. I could see it was a Gti by the badging and the black VV badge in the grille. As I pulled forward I could then see the registration number - it’s my my old car! Must say that the new owner was looking after the old girl as the car was nice and clean with a great shine on the paintwork.

[@jonasfunride]

Love this. When girls can. Regards from Sweden

[@RoadRunnerMeep]

You're one talented Petrol Head. It's good to see more women in Mechanics and Engineering. Subbed your channel I love it

[@proinnsiasoc]

Brilliant. I had a mk2 jetta 1.6 n/a diesel for 4 years(put 100k on it as a daily) and ran it as a daily up till 5 years ago. It needed this heater matrix done and I'd not the courage to do it myself as I understood it was a dash out job. Great video shame did not see it before I parked up my mk2 jetta. .. Gave it away 2 weeks ago 😭😭

[@pattiboychannel311]

No wall in the park removing any heater matrix, I've just restored mine for my Mk1 escort, check it out, Good job and well done

[@shieldaigbencher]

Love your Golf.

[@kennethbornman5947]

Very useful. Thank you for sharing.

[@johnlad1481]

Nice work 👍

[@ryanolden5304]

Heater matrix can be such a mind bender of a problem, but rest assured you clearly know what your doing! I'm a big lover of the mk1, just the mk2 is just as a classic at the mk1 nowadays. I love your video's, and your very pretty too. ☺️ keep it up Beth.

[@blinkinbadger6164]

Lovely mk2 , enjoyed the vid 👍

[@finno123456]

Good work👍

[@dannyroberts3528]

Great video, gonna use it to replace the one in my 91 16v

[@danielmota]

Nice. Regards from Brazil

[@fixitnige]

Great work Beth, Keep it as original as possible it will be worth more when the time comes to sell it on:) cheers Nigel

[@geirroesten3669]

I probably did atleast a 100 of these when vw had a recall for all MK2 Golf/Jetta matrix,the syncro's were a pain since the tunnel is a bit taller than the others

[@eng.shh80]

Great job

[@garyclifton2180]

Love it wish i kept my old pug that i sold i was told its a hard job so got a new car grr well done you ..

[@chrismaplethorpe6781]

changed a heater matrix on and old mk 1 fiesta many years ago and remember that been a pain to do

[@trondarveeggen]

I did the same job.. hmm 10-15 years ago now. Golf mk3 VR6. I used the hole weekend to do it 🙂

[@arnoldkul3827]

Wow for the first time in my life I see a girl that is also into cars, instantly fell in love and subscribed, keep up the good work :) unbelievable.. why aren't there more girls like you :D

[@brits72]

Teo Nagode I am 💕💕💥

@@brits72 Hey, I've got a few jobs that need doing on my car if you fancy doing them for me 😂

[@thegooserider7245]

Love this car

[@chrisblay]

You have to dismantle a huge amount of the dashboard to access the heater matrix. I owned a MK 2 Golf years ago and it was one of the most solidly built cars. Well worth keeping on the road and a future classic.

[@paulpalacios7197]

Beautiful car

[@fightrider187]

Nice video 👍

[@sebsingh1423]

haha building a mk2 but it was stripped already..good clear install vid keep them up

[@VwRosstorations]

Nice one 👍

[@j.d.hughes3728]

I have a Mk2 1988 GTi 8v with steam emerging from the vents, but I am missing a grand-daughter like you! The position is open.... :)

[@ianbird6997]

Wow that’s a clean rust free Mk2, that was my first car but my one had tones more rust 😂 the instrument panels where a nightmare my fuel gauge was for ever giving false readings and occasionally jump 10 miles in 1 😂

[@GHOST-A2CO]

incredibly beautiful!!! 😍😘 and knows many more about cars than me!😁👍

[@Angry_Mr_Zed]

Good job! Greetings from Russia, Moscow!

[@user-to3mo8wz6i]

Thx for teaching

[@volkswagonaudiuk]

Totally perfect and Iv done this its mad :)

[@dosgos]

Heater matrix was a massive recall item for a lot of these. The failure leaked and sometimes burned the driver!

[@philrenault2781]

Nice thing about the early cars is you don't have to RnR the whole dash. Great vid. Did you fix that blend door before popping it all back together?

[@roadlifeke1506]

👌good job

[@gti20vtMarcel]

Good job Beth!, i've done this twice too and it's a nasty job! One little thing though, maybe you should have refurbished the flaps in the heater house because the holes in it are normally closed with foam. But over the years it wears down and disappears, therefore the cold air comes in too much.

[@usherengineering179]

Hi, thankyou! I hadn't done a heater matrix before and i did wonder if there should of been something there, so thankyou for saying i might have to do that now!-Beth

[@gti20vtMarcel]

@@usherengineering179 Yeah maybe later because you will notice the difference when it's getting really cold outside. Nice to see a woman working on a car especially a Mk2!! :)

[@totte1015]

@@gti20vtMarcel Heh, I did exactly this job, without the part of removing the matrix, I put plexi glass with three types of glue, and double sided tape to make sure it wont loosen during heat air It works fine so far! But I get leaking coolant above my gas pedal it seems... We all know what that means

[@gti20vtMarcel]

@@totte1015 Yes a cracked heater core!, do not wait too long to replace the core because all of the coolant will be pumped into the interiour! :(

[@LangersVW]

GTI20VT this is what happened to me

[@ejazahmad2544]

Respect to all the hard working girls and women like u

[@craigbarrett2278]

Had to change mine around '94....just pulled the whole dash out....😁

[@stefankramer526]

Sehr gut 👍

[@keegan4039]

No fear , well done you

[@friedookiehil]

In 1994 my Jetta CLi 16V (South African spec) bust a heater matrix or pipe after a lo ooo oong trip, as I entered my destination. Was not impressed, but lucky for me I could pull in at VW. I remember my feet suddenly stinging without reason until i smelled the anti-freeze...

[@nacienleongto]

Bravo!!! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@RICHARD95918]

Gti 8 valve love it

[@Yos_Garage]

Mine started leaking a while back and I just took out the pipes from going into the car so it didn't go thru the heater matrix... Do u think the reason it's leaking is becos of the heater matrix or sumthing else?

[@johnthake7401]

I am a mechanic to I can not see why a girl can not be a mechanic to it is nice to see you working on your own car

[@CainaSurf]

Wht is the name of that adhesive foam again? Can't find it in local stores...

[@LangersVW]

I’m not looking forward to doing mine!! great job

[@davidsantos392]

Just used this video as a guide to do the exact same thing... Fékin' brilliant =) Thank you so much for sharing.

[@manminderkalsey8994]

Great video, thank you. It would be really useful if you added some commentary of what you were needing to do to reinstall the sub assembly.

[@HubertFrey]

Hi Beth, was it ST200 in Radiant Red that I saw in the video?

[@ilyas4401]

Молодец! Сразу видно-любишь свою работу)