hadyn Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 (edited) Hi all, Tonight I noticed that my passenger footwell was soaking wet accompanied by damp socks/antifreeze smell. Is this the sign of the dreaded heater matrix failing? I dont want to do the job myself as its a real bitch (2 days work I have read) so this would mean a lot of cash against a 16 year old 140k mile TT which probably in todays market isnt worth that much. What are my options, can I cap off the heater matrix easily, to avoid further leakage but at the cost of my heater? Edited March 30, 2009 by hadyn (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 Could be matrix, unless you have given a ride to any elderly recently Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 What are my options, can I cap off the heater matrix easily, to avoid further leakage but at the cost of my heater? Yes you can, I ran like this for a long time, infact my car is still like it as I removed the matrix many months ago Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hadyn Posted March 30, 2009 Author Share Posted March 30, 2009 lol - my initial thought that my dogs or someone had peed themselves in my car!! can anyone post up pics/diy etc on how to bypass/block the heater matrix please? I can live with the car with no heather if it saves 500 - 1000 quid job Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d-_-b Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 From what i remember reading sounds as though the heater matrix has gone. :S Can connect the feed and return pipes to the matrix so the car is still usable (just you wont have a heater). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hadyn Posted March 30, 2009 Author Share Posted March 30, 2009 b;2328341']From what i remember reading sounds as though the heater matrix has gone. :S Can connect the feed and return pipes to the matrix so the car is still usable (just you wont have a heater). Can someone explain/show me where these pipes are? Im probably going to block them off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustGav Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 They are the two pipes that run into the passenger side of the cockpit, just behind the intake manifold. I've looked at the design on the matrix recently and I would say blocking them off is probably the better option rather than joining them up. (YMMV) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hadyn Posted March 30, 2009 Author Share Posted March 30, 2009 What would you recommend to block them up with? Also will the system leak coolant with the engine switched off? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustGav Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 What would you recommend to block them up with? Also will the system leak coolant with the engine switched off? 2 brass slugs would do the job (Broom handle cap's would also work *grin*, please don't, that is a joke [CYA]) with some jubilee clips. No, the car shouldn't leak coolant at any stage, unless it is coming from the expansion bottle (which may indicate a further issue). Out of interest, what pressure is your rad cap? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d-_-b Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 I've looked at the design on the matrix recently and I would say blocking them off is probably the better option rather than joining them up. (YMMV) but if you blocked them off wouldnt that stop the flow of coolant around the engine, since its a circuit? or does it have like an extra part to the circuit to the matrix? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 I've looked at the design on the matrix recently and I would say blocking them off is probably the better option rather than joining them up. (YMMV) Why? Can you post some pics showing the flow and explain why you think its a better to block them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hadyn Posted March 30, 2009 Author Share Posted March 30, 2009 Out of interest, what pressure is your rad cap? 3 year old stock rad cap. Has been running non toyota 4 life coolant since radiator change about 16 months ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hadyn Posted March 30, 2009 Author Share Posted March 30, 2009 Also, is it better to block off or recirc the system? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustGav Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 b;2328355']but if you blocked them off wouldnt that stop the flow of coolant around the engine, since its a circuit? or does it have like an extra part to the circuit to the matrix? Why? Can you post some pics showing the flow and explain why you think its a better to block them? Hahaha, I thought this may open a debate If you have a look on the top of the matrix, there is a control valve which open and shuts the flow to the matrix core. From seeing the coolant flow diagram, it simply flows from the block round the matrix. Without fully knowing the thermal flow and hot spots on the engine I can't be sure, but I'd far rather the water flowed through the head than had an easier bypass via a joined pipe. Remember the matrix's operation with the valve will either be shut (ie no water going down the matrix pipes) or open where water will flow through the matrix offering some restriction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustGav Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 Also, is it better to block off or recirc the system? Depends on who you ask My preferred choice is the above (to block off) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hadyn Posted March 30, 2009 Author Share Posted March 30, 2009 I think I've identified the two pipes by looking in the dark, but can anyone post up a picture showing the two pipes that need blocking please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustGav Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 Thought I had some previous thread on it... http://www.mkivsupra.net/vbb/showthread.php?t=111270 Flow diagram here -> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hadyn Posted March 30, 2009 Author Share Posted March 30, 2009 Photos of pipes that need U tubing or blocking off please if anyone can? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 Interesting as I have no heater and the pipe at the back of the head is joined via a copper U pipe to the pipes that runs under the stock turbos, potentially they could both be blocked off. Interesting indeed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-I-G-G-E-R Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 Mate I replaced my matrix myself it's not that hard a job first thing I diid was by a 2nd hand matrix and then got it tested I was lucky I didn't need a recore By the way you have got the same sytoms i had good luck with the repair mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 Do you have a flow diagram for the GTE as thats GE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustGav Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 (edited) Do you have a flow diagram for the GTE as thats GE Hmmm, I don't, digsy provided that one, there might be one in the tech manuals. EDIT : Found it (My web host is screwy, so I've attached) Edited March 30, 2009 by JustGav (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hadyn Posted March 30, 2009 Author Share Posted March 30, 2009 So do you just leave the pipes that go through the bulkhead into the matrix open and block off the ones that go back to the engine? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustGav Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 So do you just leave the pipes that go through the bulkhead into the matrix open and block off the ones that go back to the engine? Yeah, the matrix ones will be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hadyn Posted March 30, 2009 Author Share Posted March 30, 2009 Will this have any adverse affect leaving the two that go through the bulkhead open? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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