hi everyone i have a 2001 marea the passenger footwell has started to become wet and is getting worse, even when standing overnight. the fluid is slightly thicker than water and the expansion tank needs topping up more regularly. can anyone help me with some sugestions on repair, thanks,rich

its probably the heater matrix thats sprung a leak, probly needing a new one. a PITA to get to on most cars, hidden deep in the dash.

its going to be a case of getting to it first, flushing the system, replacing the matrix and refilling with coolant and bleeding the system.

its probably the heater matrix thats sprung a leak, probly needing a new one

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Yep, Xen's right, it's most likely the heater matrix (a Marea weekness).
Had mine replaced when the car was 7 years old.
Sticky water at pass. footwell and dropping level of coolant in expansion tank.

Yep, it's probably your heater matrix. I have a 2001 Marea and this forum answered my same query. Mine not repaired yet, as I am deciding if it is worth it. My local independant has quoted 2 days and about £500 plus VAT to take the dash out, carry out the repair and put it all back together! Yesterday I put some radiator sealant in the expamsion tank to see if this will seal the leak. If it works it will only have cost me £3.99 for bottle of sealant......keeping my fingers crossed! Let me know how you get on.

Hi Richard,

If you know how to use a screwdriver you'll be able to replace it yourself. Not so hard in B/B/Ms - Ask around on a Bravo/Brava forum for help.

As for the matrix itself you'll find one on ebay or otherwise. You will also need two o-rings (cheap from the Fiat store) as the old ones will be worn.

P.S. Do not use the leak stopper fluids/powders or you'll clog the system.

Is your heater manual- or termostatically controlled?
I have attached a guide in how to disassemble the distributor heater assembly with manual controls
I'm not sure if you need to remove the whole assembly to gain access to the heater radiator, you'll need to ask someone who has tried the job.
(I had mine replaced under "used car warranty" )

Migaard said:

I'm not sure if you need to remove the whole assembly to gain access to the heater radiator )

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Hi guys,

This surely looks scary! But... you don't have to take your car to pieces to get to the heater.

All you have to do is take off the side inner walls of the footwell (releasing plastic bits by pressing the center circle in), take out the glove box, LAY ON THE BACK WITH YOUR HEAD IN THE FOOTWELL and see that you have access. Fan assemly may be colliding but it takes one screw to loosen and move out of way. Page 66 above shows plate 4 and bolts 2 that need to be disassembled PLUS page 68 mentions a screw that needs to be undone to free the heater. The two tubes are sealed with the o-rings I mentioned.

Okay, it seems quite easy...
But still remember to drain the coolant first
And flush the system afterwards.

Migaard said:

Okay, it seems quite easy...
But still remember to drain the coolant first
And flush the system afterwards.

Click to expand...

I working with that problem right now, and it is not quite easy.

After draining the cooling system then.

1. remove glove comparment.
2. remove centerconsult (armrest thingy).
3. remove air ducts
4. remove the heater guard.(page 48) 2 screws on the right hand side and 1 where the 2 pipes go from the motor compartment into the cabine that screw is almost imposibel to reach (this is not descript anywhere :bang, use a short pz2 screwdriver.

PS. there is alot of spelling errors. Sorry

Dooh,in my car is the glove compartment in the right side not like your cars.

Sorrrry.

Yep, mine as well, but in order not to confuse, call the sides drivers and passenger side
(To Hans Henrik: Hej, dejligt at se der også er andre fra DK)

I've got exactly the same problem!
Thought it was a leaking window or similar but the header tank tells a different story.

I've read the posts above but it does sound a bit of a nightmare to change the matrix.

I'm thinking of bypassing the matrix and just looping the feed hose on the block. Does anyone know of any problems with this apart from having no heat?

Thanks in advance
Simon.

No i can't see why looping around the heater should cause any problems.
But it's a cold sollution Simon...
It sounds less than a day of working to replace the matrix, i would go for it.
Now i have the opposite problem, can't get my AC working (leak in condenser)
Michael

Migaard said:

Yep, mine as well, but in order not to confuse, call the sides drivers and passenger side
(To Hans Henrik: Hej, dejligt at se der ogs er andre fra DK)

Click to expand...

I'll remember that.

(To Migaard, I ligemde, vi er nogle stykker efterhnden)