big problem !

[locteau]

Hi Guys,

Just had a major problem today. There is a leak from the bottom of the console to the front passenger carpet. It seems to be the water coolant.

From the engine bay it does not seems to have any leak. Would I be right to assume it is the Air con radiator or similar ?

from the workshop I have read, it looks like taking down the full dash and look like a big job for me !

Sebastien

 

[11redrex]

Have you cleaned out the bottom of the wings ? Mine seemed to be leaking from the place you describe but it was the water backing up because it cold not drain out. Open the front door, look in the bottom of the wing, clean out the mud. Might work might not. But it's free !

 

[extreme-4x4]

likely to be the heater matrix. are you loosing coolant from the rad ?
if so its the matrix.

it can be bypassed but it''ll be cold in the car, but run ok

its a big job to fit a new matrix , but doable for a diy er

 

[locteau]

ok then

It's leaking from the radiator, which mean I have to remove everything and change it right ?

 

[11redrex]

If it's leaking from the rad how is it getting into the car ? I just fitted a "new" (reconditioned) one bough it from ebay for £84
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160489525428&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

as I say it wasn't actually new, unless they make them with rusty repainted metal, and it was a bit of a tight fit (some bolts didn't quite line up) but it's working.

 

[zippy656]

its the heater matrix.. not the rad...

 

[locteau]

matrix

The one under the dash (black box) it leaks from there. There is a "mini rad" in those if I am correct.

Is is hard to fix ?

 

[11redrex]

The "mini rad" is the matrix, that's under the centre of the dash. The black box under the glove box is part of the air flow. It's a major job to change the matrix but not impossible. Personally I don;t think it's your matrix, as I said it's exactly the same symptoms as mine and while it might seem odd to cure a leak there by unblocking the drain somewhere else that is exactly what you need to do.
If your matrix was leaking you'd be losing coolant and your heater won't work ?

 

[locteau]

thnaks

The heater is working well, but could not find where you said I could drain it or clear it.

Any advice would be great, I really need to sort this out as it is going to freeze again and need to drive about 4 hours every day this week

Can you tell me where exactly I need to check, remember I am not a mechanic, just a guy who love cars....

 

[rustic]

The one under the dash (black box) it leaks from there. There is a "mini rad" in those if I am correct.

Is is hard to fix ?

If it leaks from the heater blower motor, on near side under the passenger glove box, then it could be the cover plate on the bulkhead. Cheap fix.
Remove wiper arms, plastic cover/valance below windscreen, there is a plate on passenger side that the bottom screw lets water in straight through to the foot well.
Mine did it, it was odd that water was also on top of the rubber mats and a wet carpet underneath.

Use white paper roll to soak up the liquid, What colour is it, clear or antifreeze coloured?

 

[locteau]

ok then

It is antifreeze color. I am trying this now.... in the dark

I can't seems to be able to take off the wipers arms after removing the top. is there a tip on this to take them off ?

 

[locteau]

Just tried the above, everything is fine there, so it is the matrix. But I do have hot air or cold.

So I have to take it apart.

 

[11redrex]

Are you losing any water ? Check the level in your radiator. If you are not losing water then you do not have a leak.

To check for the blockage:
Open passenger door.
You can now see behind the front wing.
Look at the bottom.
Clear any mud that is there.

 

[locteau]

water

yes I am loosing most of the water and have to refill it with antifreeze etc....

I can see the leak under the dash under the middle console, under a kind of round black box.

the heater air con is working but not sure for how long

 

[11redrex]

Bugger. Got a matrix off an older maverick here if you need one and it's the same for aircon/non aircon vehicles.

 

[mowerman]

I would stick some rad weld in it to see if that gets a temp fix???

 

[cncfabs]

You will need to remove the entire dash to do the matrix but its not as bad as it sounds should only take couple of hours max to remove and only requires basic tools.no need to remove steering wheel as it can de lowered out of the way when the colomn is unbolted.Take your time and you should easily have the job done in under a day.Wouldnt fit second hand matrix though

 

[locteau]

Bugger. Got a matrix off an older maverick here if you need one and it's the same for aircon/non aircon vehicles.

or I can get this one : http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....006733&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_1409wt_905

are they the same ?

The only problem is that I need a week driving the car, it is my busiest week of the year driving......

 

[locteau]

starting

Ok got the small rad and will start the dash in a few minutes......

I don't have any seal replacement or gasket.... as read in some post, any advices welcome.

Seb

 

[zippy656]

if your up to it, try to take some step by step pics.

will help you get it back together as well as heloing them that need to follow..