Technical Aircond Problem

[zulmalik]

Dear friends,

My Fiat Marea 1.6 ELX Auto (2001) have a water leaked on passenger side, apperently it came from the climate control unit (water from radiator - engine cooling system). Since I am staying in the tropical area (so no need the hot air), my mechanic just by passed the hot water flow to enter the climate control unit. Sadly (after by pass) the temperature control not response to the temperature setting. Regardless of the temperature seeting in the car all it does is blow cold air (aircond compressor on all the time). Any suggestion how to fix (modified) this problem.

Thanks

 

[jug]

replace the leaking part (heater matrix) and reconnect the coolant pipes. then it will be back to normal. the heater matrix usually requires the dashboard to be removed, thats not hard to do, but it takes a long time and can be very stressful. good luck

 

[Marea147]

It depends on whether it is water (clear no smell or colour), or coolant (distinctive drying marks).
If it is coolant or tap water, yoou will see drying marks on the carpet in the passenger footwell.

If you don't see drying marks, and the water is very clear, it could be condensate that cannot escape from the evaporator due to a blocked hose. Get a mechanic to blow out this hose from underneath (it is hard to spot but you can get to it from underneath) - it is a rubber hose with a kind of flexible flat section built in so that it only lets water out, and hot air in from the engine bay.


If it is indeed coolant leaking then sadly you do need a new heater matrix....