options

hi guys discovered today leaking heater matrix just wondered what my options are i know it will have to be changed at some time but can i get away with k seal or something along those lines for a short time untill i have the spends to put it right (new matrix) its a 2003 td4 many thanks in advance

Do a bypass in an engine compartment, cut off heater matrix as we have summer just ahead
I'm not a fan of putting any sealants in to a cooling system, cos they may 'seal' too much stuff...

Winu said:

Do a bypass in an engine compartment, cut off heater matrix as we have summer just ahead
I'm not a fan of putting any sealants in to a cooling system, cos they may 'seal' too much stuff...

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many thanks for the quick reply winu i hear what your saying about the quick fix but it will only be in the system for a couple of months and also i will have the other half complaining in the mornings shes cold. i mention k seal because it supposedly does'nt bung anything up thoughts please

tincan said:

many thanks for the quick reply winu i hear what your saying about the quick fix but it will only be in the system for a couple of months and also i will have the other half complaining in the mornings shes cold. i mention k seal because it supposedly does'nt bung anything up thoughts please

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I wouldn't use any leak sealer myself. Yours will have either a fuel burning heater or electrical heating element in the matrix so you'll still get hot air even if you bypass the coolant hoses for now.

Not if there's no water flow because it's bypassed or blocked off, the aux heaters heat the engine coolant, which then flows through the matrix. They aren't independent.

NeedleNose said:

Not if there's no water flow because it's bypassed or blocked off, the aux heaters heat the engine coolant, which then flows through the matrix. They aren't independent.

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If it's the PTC then it will heat the airstream, not the coolant, otherwise the PTC would be cooled by the water flowing through the matrix. This would mean the PTC would spend most of its time warming up the engine rather than quickly adding heat to the airstream.

You're quite right, I should have said for an FBH.

I used K seal in mine about 18 months ago and its been fine, heater matrix looks like a right ball ache of a job :/

Unless that Lion has been peeing in the car, looks like I've got a(nother) ball ache of a job to do a well!

GrumpyGel said:

Unless that Lion has been peeing in the car, looks like I've got a(nother) ball ache of a job to do a well!

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thankfully mine is not that bad yet just a few drips still thinking about going down the k seal route really don't fancy takeing the dash out