Leak from Rear Heater Matrix?........

[Aunt Trumpet]

Following on from my overheating thread.."URGENT HELP PLEASE....ITS HAPPENED" I've found a leak from underneath the rear heater controls situated behind the drivers seat. From underneath the car there are some hoses ( i'm presuming a flow and return? ) into the heater matrix?....Whilst I was looking for a leak for my original problem I discovered water weeping from the joints on both unions. I dabbed one with a tissue and obviously disturbed a flake of rust which turned the weep into a constant spurt! I've not lost much water so I'm assuming I've drained the matrix?

So, yet again, ........has anyone else had this problem?
........can the rubber hoses be easily sourced?

I'm hoping to go away week after next so I've got to get onto it asap.

As before... Thanks for any help.

[mikeonb4c]

Following on from my overheating thread.."URGENT HELP PLEASE....ITS HAPPENED" I've found a leak from underneath the rear heater controls situated behind the drivers seat. From underneath the car there are some hoses ( i'm presuming a flow and return? ) into the heater matrix?....Whilst I was looking for a leak for my original problem I discovered water weeping from the joints on both unions. I dabbed one with a tissue and obviously disturbed a flake of rust which turned the weep into a constant spurt! I've not lost much water so I'm assuming I've drained the matrix?

So, yet again, ........has anyone else had this problem?
........can the rubber hoses be easily sourced?

I'm hoping to go away week after next so I've got to get onto it asap.

As before... Thanks for any help.

Yes, this has happened before so have a search on there. You should be able to get hoses from Bongobits so try calling them for a chat (they know Bongos - obviously!). If the rear matrix itself is leaky, I believe you can take it out of circuit if need be using a hose bypass. Good luck - keep us posted.

[apole]

Hi there,

You have 2 choices:

Replace the rubber pipes, you will need to bleed the coolant system properly afterwards. Flippa on here sells silicon ones as well as others for a good price and delivers quickly. He has been helpful to me in the past hence the recommendation.

Or:

I just bridge the rear heater matrix out of the coolant circuit by connecting a short piece of coolant hose between the 2 metal pipes that supply the rear matrix.

I did this for a few reasons: firstly I wasn't convinced my leak was due to the rubber hoses, it could also be the metal pipework. I also needed the car on the road quickly and it was easier/faster to do this. Also I never use my rear heater, only the cooling in summer. Makes things simpler, less to go wrong.

Hope this helps.

Andy

[Aunt Trumpet]

I did this for a few reasons: firstly I wasn't convinced my leak was due to the rubber hoses, it could also be the metal pipework.

Youve hit the nail on the head....after further inspection I took off the rubber hoses leading from the metal pipework to the matrix. Although the hoses aren't great it is actually the metal pipework that is leaking near the join with the rubber ones, specifically where the brackets weld onto it. They are only tiny pin prick holes but enough to make it weep.
I've also discovered another couple further on up where there is a 3 pipe junction.

After a little research i can buy a new offside metal rail for around £40 but I'm going to have a go with some metal putty that my mechanic friend recommended to me. I've cleaned it all up and I've got some heater hose which is the same diameter and flexible enough to replace the rubber pre-formed ones.

I'm just hoping that this is the source of my water leak...I'd recommend all members to have a quick look at theirs as it seems that this could be a developing problem if left unnattended.
I'll keep you all posted....if your'e all not fed up with me already!!

[stevedon]

either do the job correctly and take the mateix to a rad specialist and get it soldered or use a good rad sealant i would reccomend Wurth hp selant as it will seal a 4mm hole(i know as i demo it to garages) and cause no other blockages in the system also it will circulate around the system untill it sinds another hole and seal that too otherwise it will just circulate for ever causing no harm other than stopping corrosion.Not all rad seals are the same some will block small water passages so pick wisely wynns is another good make

[stevedon]

here is a link to product info although it says .1 mm it will do upto 4mm,http://www.wurth.co.uk/catalogue/pdfs/UK-CD_06_0345.pdf

[Aunt Trumpet]

either do the job correctly and take the mateix to a rad specialist and get it soldered or use a good rad sealant i would reccomend Wurth hp selant as it will seal a 4mm hole(i know as i demo it to garages) and cause no other blockages in the system also it will circulate around the system untill it sinds another hole and seal that too otherwise it will just circulate for ever causing no harm other than stopping corrosion.Not all rad seals are the same some will block small water passages so pick wisely wynns is another good make

here is a link to product info although it says .1 mm it will do upto 4mm,http://www.wurth.co.uk/catalogue/pdfs/UK-CD_06_0345.pdf

Its not the Matrix that is leaking, its the offside coolant rail that runs beneath the car to the rubber hoses that go into matrix....Don't get me wrong I will do the job properly and eventually buy a new rail, £40 is worth the peace of mind I think, the problem is we are booked to go away at the end of next week, only fairly locally and I havent the time to fit it beforehand. I've cleaned up the affected area and the holes are literally 1-2mm in diameter.

Thanks for the link, I'll have a look tommorrow and try and get some, there is a wurth dealer just down the road from me.

[stevedon]

sorry i thought you meant the metal pipes going into the matrix,if you are stuck ,put the metal putty over the hole and when its gone off put a jubilee clip over that it should hold.good luck.
a ot of garages will stock worth products if all else fails ring 0208 319 6000 and ask for the rep in your area

[Aunt Trumpet]

sorry i thought you meant the metal pipes going into the matrix,if you are stuck ,put the metal putty over the hole and when its gone off put a jubilee clip over that it should hold.good luck.
a ot of garages will stock worth products if all else fails ring 0208 319 6000 and ask for the rep in your area

Unfortunately the putty stuff didn't work.... ..once the rail heated up with coolant it all melted off like plastercine....looks like I'll have to but a new rail, which I don't mind as I've already got the old one off. The problem is I'm struggling for time now. Are there any Bongo breakers/specialists near me in Portsmouth? Anyone?....