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Model specific boards => Golf mk2 => Topic started by: Benrevs on 17 October 2011, 16:57

Title: Smoke coming from heater vents?!
Post by: Benrevs on 17 October 2011, 16:57

I just changed my matrix, and now have proper heat. But it stinks to high heaven and fills the car with an acrid smoke. You cant really see whisps of smoke but after around 10 seconds of it being on it gets hard to see  :undecided:
I cant think what is burning as all I did was swap the matrix...

Title: Re: Smoke coming from heater vents?!
Post by: Agreeable Slick on 17 October 2011, 17:00

Coat any connections in anything?

How long has it been since you last used it? My old mk2 was stood for a while over winter and when I finally got it running again it started smoking under the steering column. Only for a few mins but stank. Never came back so I can only assume that it was moss/mildew build up.

Title: Re: Smoke coming from heater vents?!
Post by: madmanluke on 17 October 2011, 17:02

Did you wash the heater matrix before you installed it?

Title: Re: Smoke coming from heater vents?!
Post by: Benrevs on 17 October 2011, 17:11

Its my daily, drove in the workshop and then out. I didn't use anything other than what came out.  It didn't smell but I washed it anyway!  I have been on a drive for half hour with them on full but its still happening.

Title: Re: Smoke coming from heater vents?!
Post by: pigbladder on 17 October 2011, 17:22

sposed to use brake cleaner to clean off the oils they put on for storage , or somthing has been dropped in there and is burning

Title: Re: Smoke coming from heater vents?!
Post by: Benrevs on 17 October 2011, 17:26

I am hoping whatever it is will burn itself out as I ain't taking it out again!!

Title: Re: Smoke coming from heater vents?!
Post by: Wayne on 17 October 2011, 23:44

It may / should burn off.

Title: Re: Smoke coming from heater vents?!
Post by: Benrevs on 18 October 2011, 12:25

Ok, it looks like I made a daft mistake.  The matrix came with a foam surround as seen here: http://www.veedubmachine.co.uk/images/b729_1.jpg (http://www.veedubmachine.co.uk/images/b729_1.jpg)

I thought this was to stop it from rattling within its housing so I left it on. :rolleyes:  I just found a remaining piece of foam in my footwell, so I took a lighter to it and it smells the same. :sick:

Title: Re: Smoke coming from heater vents?!
Post by: Ben Lessani on 30 October 2011, 13:05

I'm fairly sure the foam is meant to stay there even after installation.

Mine was a bit stinky and smoky after replacement, I just figured it was the oil coating on the fins burning off. I should have given it a quick spray with clutch/brake cleaner first! But it subsided after about 2-3 weeks.

(http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q171/blessani/mini-CIMG6682.jpg) (http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=49436.msg851895#msg851895)

Title: Re: Smoke coming from heater vents?!
Post by: cняis on 31 October 2011, 23:50

URGH. B*stard of a job.  :grin: