Hi All,

I bought a 99 V reg Fiat Marea 1.6 HLX Automatic about 2 months ago and its been working like a treat, until about 2 weeks ago...

I noticed a pool of pink liquid on the passenger side carpet area, I decided to check the various fluid levels under the bonnet and noticed that my coolant tank was completely empty, I then topped it up with some water, drove about 120 miles on it (in a day) then left it for a few days. Upon checking the car again, the pool of pink liquid is there again and the coolant tank empty again (below min)

I topped it up with some water again (only a small amount as the garage is only 5 mins away), a minute ago, drove it to a garage to book in a repair for Friday

Out of curiousity I checked it again after returning (15 mins later), and the coolant tank is more full than when i filled it earlier?!? Also it looks like anti-freeze rather than water (which is what i filled it with)

Anyway, The garage mentioned it will be around £150 to fix (they said its the radiator and requires removing the dashboard to replace/check it)

Do you think this is reasonable? Is the garage right in thinking its the radiator - other garage mentioned it could be a burst pipe instead of the radiator (then another said it cant be a burst pipe as there are no pipes inside the vehicle)?

The garage i booked up with also gave me a bag of Ce-Lit to pour into the coolant tank when engine is cold and said this should slow the leak down, should i try this or will i end up causing more problems than its worth?

O forgot to mention, I've not seen any warning lights (the dashboard initialisation works ok) and the tempreture guage was in middle when the tank was empty and is below the middle mark after i topped up with water.

Thanks!

its a common problem and its caused by a leaking heater matrix.

althoguh you mention the garage said the radiator it sounds like they are talking about the right part as it does indeed require removal of the dashboard.

IMO removal and refit of the dash for £150 is a steal!

Ry

Thanks Ry, just read your Turbo thread whilst i was waiting for replies lucky bugger!

The price was the lowest quote I got most said around 200-250 inc parts & labour, but this one is a very small garage thats been around for decades (I used walk past it as a little kiddie on my way to school) and I think the credit crunch might be biting them

They probably said radiator to me cos its easier to understand than heating matrix (to me that sounds like something you do with maths and 3D graphics )

Just a quick update and a recommendation for RTM, Hicks Road, Markyate:

My original garage (Smallford motors) let me down, two days before i was due to take the car in, by upping their quote to £250 as they said the heater matrix had to be purchased from Fiat, as no generics available. I cancelled and went with RTM, Hicks Road, Markyate who quoted £178 all in.

Work was completed to a high standard and would go back there for future work (MOT/Servicing)

If your in that area would recommend you check them out for any Fiat repairs, they genuine, know there stuff and are friendly. Plus, the previous owner of my Marea used them for MOTs & servicing (thats how i found them)