Help coolant water in the passangers footwell.

[shaz2010]

Never had a problem with any heater matrix before on any of my cars so im a bit blind on this! Done some googleing and seems like the matrix has gone, is this the case?

if so can i still use the car until i replace it,does it do any damage to the engine ? and wheres the best place to get the part from? is it just the single matrix i need or other things ? cheers for the help For got to same theres still hot air blow out the fans. could a pipe of been kicked off by accident or summit like that?

Edited November 6, 2010 by shaz2010 (see edit history)

[Paul Whiffin]

Never had a problem with any heater matrix before on any of my cars so im a bit blind on this! Done some googleing and seems like the matrix has gone, is this the case?

if so can i still use the car until i replace it,does it do any damage to the engine ? and wheres the best place to get the part from? is it just the single matrix i need or other things ? cheers for the help For got to same theres still hot air blow out the fans. could a pipe of been kicked off by accident or summit like that?

 

Sounds like the matrix has gone to me, I wouldn't use it like that personally, you need to get it replaced ASAP. I have used ones here if needed.

 

Thanks

Paul

[johnny g]

As Paul said, an onld MR2 Turbo of mine leaked coolant there, next thing, it basically spat a load out and the car started to over heat. Don't use it, if you can help it.

[shaz2010]

Thanks for that, ive had the chance just now to take the glove box out and able to see underneth what i can see is theres a little bit of grey sponge on the matrix (i think its the matrix) with a grey wire coming from it ,when i turn the heaters on its starts dripping out from there. its almost like all thats needed is the sponge to be renewed !!! help

 

ALSO MY COOLANT HASNT moved it is still full to the top????

[shaz2010]

any one got any pics of the matrix on either side

[shaz2010]

just had the engine running and took the little bit of spounge away from the corner of the (matrix) and where the grey wire goes in it, felt above it no water and around it no water so dont think its from the top its from the bottom on the right hand corner thers a little spring clip and its droping from there ?? anyone came across this.

Edited November 7, 2010 by shaz2010 (see edit history)

[shaz2010]

just had the engine running and took the little bit of spounge away from the corner of the (matrix) and where the grey wire goes in it, felt above it no water and around it no water so dont think its from the top its from the bottom on the right hand corner thers a little clip and its as if its droping from there ?? anyone came across this.

[James]

It's a substantial job to change the matrix, here is a picture of my car when I did just that:-

 

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs312.snc4/40960_505740762693_339200132_192458_7403056_n.jpg

 

demisterman.co.uk sells them for £62 + £9 delivery.

[The Raven]

OMG thats still scary as hell.

[Keefred]

You might try something called K seal, may be a short term fix, might not, but if I had the same problem as yours I would try this stuff first. I had a 325 Bmw on which the head gasket had gone and was putting in about 3 - 4 litres of water a week. I have always thought bars leak and stuff like that was a waste of time and after searching the interweb found the K seal stuff, read all the rave reviews and thought they might be somewhat over exagerated but thought I would try it before a rather expensive bill for a new head gasket so I bought it from e bay for less that a tenner I think and from the day I put it in it never lost another drop of water.

[James]

In the meantime, I'd advise either not using the car at all or bypassing the heater matrix to prevent continual overheating.

[shaz2010]

Thanks for the help will probs just replace it on sat the, so these are good yeah! "demisterman.co.uk sells them for £62 + £9 delivery" thanks again

[TheTurtleshead]

I literally just finished changing my matrix about 30 minutes ago....And trust me it was a total 'barsteward' of a job! Definitely dont use the car with your matrix leaking, It is positioned directly above your ECU in the heater box! Not good! Search out and have a good read of the how-to guide here on the forum, helped me loads, but be prepared to spend half the day doing it Good luck mate!

[j_jza80]

The problem isn't necessarily the heater matrix itself. I suspect a fairly common problem is the rubber o'rings that join the matrix to the flow and return pipes. I've pressure tested two matrixes that were apparently leaking, and neither seemed to be faulty. However, i'd recommend installing a new one anyway while you have the dash apart

 

I'd recommend buying a genuine Toyota matrix over a pattern one, as i've recently tried fitting a pattern one recently and it wouldn't quite fit.

[imi]

The problem isn't necessarily the heater matrix itself. I suspect a fairly common problem is the rubber o'rings that join the matrix to the flow and return pipes. I've pressure tested two matrixes that were apparently leaking, and neither seemed to be faulty. However, i'd recommend installing a new one anyway while you have the dash apart

 

I'd recommend buying a genuine Toyota matrix over a pattern one, as i've recently tried fitting a pattern one recently and it wouldn't quite fit.

 

were the patterned ones you mention the ones highlighted in post 12?

 

out of interest how much is a new toyota heater matrix?

[TheTurtleshead]

Mine set me back 320 of my finest english pounds! Extortionate yes, and it doesnt come with O-rings. (From Toyota)

[JS2004]

It's a substantial job to change the matrix, here is a picture of my car when I did just that:-

 

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs312.snc4/40960_505740762693_339200132_192458_7403056_n.jpg

 

demisterman.co.uk sells them for £62 + £9 delivery.

 

Hate - your steering wheel.. does it have an airbag? I need to drop my steering rack to do this job also, but don't want to set off the airbag by accident..

[Guest RyanV]

I had this happen to my Sc300. I poked a coat hanger up the drain in the engine bay and a ton of water and little bit of junk came out, and that was the end of that mess.

 

I think it's the evaporator core drain if I'm not mistaken.

 

If it clogs, the water can find it's way onto the carpet.

 

I'd try this first before ripping anything out myself.

Edited December 2, 2010 by RyanV (see edit history)

[supraturbochris]

i know it sounds stupid but im actualy looking forward to doing one if mine goes. I would love to rip the interior out.