Can someone tell me if coolant dripping from the passenger foot well vent is a definite sign of a leaking heater matrix??

The RAC said it's leaking, classed the car as unsafe to drive and pretty much left me in the **** after being here ten mins??

The passenger foot well is soaked, definitely coolant car worked fine slight overheat on idle which is why I called them, heater does not work on idle but does when being driven.

No one seems to even want to quote me because it is a massive job so now left with no car and terrified to drive it any help appreciated

Id almost saying yes based on your faults

No heater heat - coolant loss - soggy passenger floor

Would happily make me say there is a fault with the coolant lines going up - thr matrix and back


If i was the rac - id of pulled the heater lines off the firewall and but a 180 elbow in
Bypassing the heater matrix

If that sucker blow fully
You risk 110deg c coolant burning you....
Its like lava as its gylcol based....

Trouble is... its winter/autumn
You need cabin heat to keep screens clear....

Its a big job...

Entire dashboard out on the punto

Ziggy

Hi Ziggy,

After doing research it does seem like that is the issue and I know it is definitely a big job.

So looks like it's gonna have to be scrapped because it also needs coil springs all round and a new wiper part which has been done temp. So with the matrix its probs gonna need a grand spending on it.

Guess the old girl has had enough

The guy did say try radweld or KSEAL is this something even worth considering? I have seen mixed reviews for radweld but KSEAL seems too good to be true could this seal a hole even temp until I get a car??

newman1986 said:

Hi Ziggy,

After doing research it does seem like that is the issue and I know it is definitely a big job.

So looks like it's gonna have to be scrapped because it also needs coil springs all round and a new wiper part which has been done temp. So with the matrix its probs gonna need a grand spending on it.

Guess the old girl has had enough

The guy did say try radweld or KSEAL is this something even worth considering? I have seen mixed reviews for radweld but KSEAL seems too good to be true could this seal a hole even temp until I get a car??

Click to expand...

You have two options.


It is simple to cut the heater hoses at the firewall and join them together. Car will be fine. you will be cold.

Radweld might work and get you through the winter.

judderbar said:

You have two options.


It is simple to cut the heater hoses at the firewall and join them together. Car will be fine. you will be cold.

Radweld might work and get you through the winter.

Click to expand...

I have no idea how or where to cut the hoses

KSEAL seems to have great reviews might give this a try as a last alternative

absolutely horrible job changing the matrix
do have a look up the back make sure its not the pipe that somehow sprung a leak
if all else fails and you are going to scrap it then trying kseal is a good idea
im dead against the stuff but would love you to return and say it worked brilliantly
you cant drive in the winter with no demister and of course or a leaky interior as it would make you very poorly

Kseal gums up the radiator - which make cars overheat
So it dony really fix the issue.... just makes it worse....

If the cars to be scrapped as said
It cant hurt

If you can see the pipe has a leak - id get a matching outside diameter patch - sealant and clamp over it and limp through winter

Alternative - an electric heater (crappy 12v shut boxes) and bypass heater

Ziggy