does this sound like heater matrix prob

noticed a funny smell with in the car first , then noticed the right hand foot well damp .
checked my coolant and it was a little low , so topped it up , next day both footwells are wet through.
if i put the heaters on the windows steam up instantly .

been reading some past posts and cant see a way to remove it easily , looks like the whole of the dash out , am i right ???

also heard there was a way to bypass it , any one tell me how .

its a tdi300 1996 N reg by the by .

thanks all

Yes remove the front of the dash is required and to bypass just undo the two hoses (in & out flow) in the engine bay and connect together.

discool said:

Yes remove the front of the dash is required and to bypass just undo the two hoses (in & out flow) in the engine bay and connect together.

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cheers Discool -- which are the 2 pipes ?

can any one id them for me please.

is there a kit or part to join them together?

will having the heater matrix disconnected within the cooling system effect the engine cooling or running in any way?

thanks again

darren m said:

cheers Discool -- which are the 2 pipes ?

can any one id them for me please.

is there a kit or part to join them together?

will having the heater matrix disconnected within the cooling system effect the engine cooling or running in any way?

thanks again

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1. The two hoses that go to rear bulkhead one on top of the other

2. Join with a bit of copper or alloy tube and a couple of hose clips

£. No. no prob as a result of the isolation. Dont forget you will loose coolent when you remove the hoses. if you have hose some clamps so much the better small G clamps will do.

discool said:

1. The two hoses that go to rear bulkhead one on top of the other

2. Join with a bit of copper or alloy tube and a couple of hose clips

£. No. no prob as a result of the isolation. Dont forget you will loose coolent when you remove the hoses. if you have hose some clamps so much the better small G clamps will do.

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thanks Bud -- tell me which side the hoses are ie looking from the front of the car .

do you know the diameter , would copper plumbing pipe be ok ( if i can shape it ).

cheers

I would say left hand side there's only be two pipes, you must check the size or the heater hose first then pop into a d i y shed and see what you can get from the plumbing section.

discool said:

I would say left hand side there's only be two pipes, you must check the size or the heater hose first then pop into a d i y shed and see what you can get from the plumbing section.

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right so far so good :doh:,
first stupid question -- the 2 black rubber pipes !! going in to the bulkhead , is it them i join together.

second stupid question -- the holes left over coming out of the bulkhead, what needs doing with those.

thanks

darren m said:

right so far so good :doh:,
first stupid question -- the 2 black rubber pipes !! going in to the bulkhead , is it them i join together.

second stupid question -- the holes left over coming out of the bulkhead, what needs doing with those.

thanks

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1. Yes
2. Nothing other than stuffing some rag in them after all-most of the water has driped out, just to stop any noise or bugs getting in, they are part of the heater matrix and will be replaced as part of the new matrix... after you have visually confirmed that a leaking matrix is your problem.

yes its dash out job to replace it, 15mm copper piping joins the 2 hoses if you are going to bypass it.

toyahwilcox said:

yes its dash out job to replace it, 15mm copper piping joins the 2 hoses if you are going to bypass it.

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can i buy this or will i need a DIY pipe bender
thanks

darren m said:

can i buy this or will i need a DIY pipe bender
thanks

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You can buy copper tube bends aready formed.