Leaking heater matrix? Worth trying Radweld or similar?

My 1989 RR Classic is damp under the front floor mats with what feels and
smells like coolant, so I'm assuming I have a slight leak in the heater
matrix (coolant level itself seems to be ok). Any thoughts on trying
something like Radweld until I have time to pull the dash apart to renew the
matrix? I'm always nervous that it might do more harm (elsewhere) than good
(in the matrix)! Engine is a 300TDI.

Simon

"Simon Oates" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> My 1989 RR Classic is damp under the front floor mats with what feels and
> smells like coolant, so I'm assuming I have a slight leak in the heater
> matrix (coolant level itself seems to be ok). Any thoughts on trying
> something like Radweld until I have time to pull the dash apart to renew
> the matrix? I'm always nervous that it might do more harm (elsewhere) than
> good (in the matrix)! Engine is a 300TDI.
>
> Simon
before you get involved stripping out the dash check the condition of the
pipes and clips in the engine bay where they meet the heater core a small
leak here runs nicely into the cabin
Derek

On or around Sat, 13 May 2006 16:43:36 +0100, "Simon Oates"
<[email protected]> enlightened us thusly:

>My 1989 RR Classic is damp under the front floor mats with what feels and
>smells like coolant, so I'm assuming I have a slight leak in the heater
>matrix (coolant level itself seems to be ok). Any thoughts on trying
>something like Radweld until I have time to pull the dash apart to renew the
>matrix? I'm always nervous that it might do more harm (elsewhere) than good
>(in the matrix)! Engine is a 300TDI.

I did actually get radweld to work on such a leak. Mind, it wasn't actually
generating water on the floor, just steam out of the windscreen vents when
cold. Turn the blower on and it instantly mists up the screen...
--
Austin Shackles. www.ddol-las.net my opinions are just that
Travel The Galaxy! Meet Fascinating Life Forms...
------------------------------------------------\
>> http://www.schlockmercenary.com/ << \ ...and Kill them.
a webcartoon by Howard Tayler; I like it, maybe you will too!

Austin Shackles wrote:
> On or around Sat, 13 May 2006 16:43:36 +0100, "Simon Oates"
> <[email protected]> enlightened us thusly:
>
>> My 1989 RR Classic is damp under the front floor mats with what feels and
>> smells like coolant, so I'm assuming I have a slight leak in the heater
>> matrix (coolant level itself seems to be ok). Any thoughts on trying
>> something like Radweld until I have time to pull the dash apart to renew the
>> matrix? I'm always nervous that it might do more harm (elsewhere) than good
>> (in the matrix)! Engine is a 300TDI.
>
> I did actually get radweld to work on such a leak. Mind, it wasn't actually
> generating water on the floor, just steam out of the windscreen vents when
> cold. Turn the blower on and it instantly mists up the screen...

I've used Radweld three times and twice it has worked a treat. Once was
"on the road" in an old Citroen that was dripping water fairly quickly
out of the bottom of the rad - enough to cause a stream of water within
a few minutes of stopping. The guy in Halfords where I stopped was
very helpful and fetched me a couple of kettles full of water - he was
amazed himself that it stopped such a leak. As someone else said, I'd
check the pipes first, but if it is not that then I'd definitely
give Radweld a shot. It won't do any harm to the RR.

Matt

Will double-check them, but they looked ok on a first inspection and,
pessimist that I am, as both front footwells are equally damp, I'm assuming
that points to the matrix? Or would a leaking joint at the pipe dribble into
both footwells? However, as I'm not getting condensation on the screen, so
the optimist in me says maybe it is just a weeping joint? Fingers crossed,
as my enthusiasm for pulling the matrix out is not great! I'll have another
look at the connections in daylight and, if I can't find anything wrong,
bung a tin of Radweld in and see what happens!
Simon
"Derek" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Simon Oates" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> My 1989 RR Classic is damp under the front floor mats with what feels and
>> smells like coolant, so I'm assuming I have a slight leak in the heater
>> matrix (coolant level itself seems to be ok). Any thoughts on trying
>> something like Radweld until I have time to pull the dash apart to renew
>> the matrix? I'm always nervous that it might do more harm (elsewhere)
>> than good (in the matrix)! Engine is a 300TDI.
>>
>> Simon
> before you get involved stripping out the dash check the condition of the
> pipes and clips in the engine bay where they meet the heater core a small
> leak here runs nicely into the cabin
> Derek
>