Urgent cooling problem

[HD7]

I have heard the sloshing sound since I've had the car (just over a week) but was going to change the coolant anyway so wasn't a major bother. Last night I was out driving and noticed this orange fluid on my carpet. Passengers side was worse. Put my head around and seen drips coming from an air vent. After reading seems this is the heater matrix.

On the way home, the car was overheating and again on the way to work just now. My left foot is soaking as well! The temperature varies from around 1/2 to 3/4. Has got higher once or twice but left it to cool.

Checked the oil filler cap and can't see any signs of water in the oil.

Help!

[AdamH]

replace heater matrix and rebleed

[HD7]

Would that cause overheating?

[stigsdump]

yes, the coolant goes through the engine block and then through the internal heater to keep the cabin warm. If the fluid level is dropping due to a leak in the internal matrix this will also mean there is less to cool the engine efficiantly

[HD7]

Oh right okay. I'll do that tomorrow. Any guides on removing the dash or is it in the Haynes? ive seen its easy but time consuming.

On another note, how does it work and what does it do?

[stigsdump]

never had to take the dash out but each of the sections will have retaining screws or clips....as you say, time consuming if you dont know where they're located or whats holding the sections in. Just take it slowly and dont force things. Once you've done it once it'll be dead easy further times as you'll be aware of how bits are held in

As for the matrix, its like a small radiator that provides the heat source for the internal heater. Once the engine gets up to temperature, the thermostat in the engine bay opens allowing warm coolant to flow through the rest of the system and radiators...you then get heat inside the car

[HD7]

So when its faulty seals fail or it leaks then the coolant passes down instead of air. Cheers for that, fingers crossed it goes alright!

[HD7]

How do I join these hoses up to stop it leaking for a few days til I get it replaced. Where do I find them?

[Gandi699]

ghetto method is to cut the two hoses that go into the bulkhead to feed the matrix, you'll see them and then join with some pipe that'll bypass it but obviously you'll have no heat

[stigsdump]

So when its faulty seals fail or it leaks then the coolant passes down instead of air. Cheers for that, fingers crossed it goes alright!

The matrix is always full of coolant NOT air, any signs of rot or perished hoses will make the matrix leak. The fan in the car blows the air through the hot matrix which warms the air...thus warming the interior of the cabin area

[stevo67]

Check the hoses going to the matrix before writing it off(matrix that is lol)

[HD7]

To be honest if I'm ripping the lot out I kind of want to replace it anyway.

Do I access those hoses on the engine bay side? Sorry for sounding dumb, as I've said before I'm used to bikes haha, what is a bulkhead?