Blown heater matrix - thoughts on temporary fix?

[Oilburner]

Ahhh more problems with my 89 8v....

So i have water in both footwells, due to the heater matrix or possibly the gasket being blown...

I need to come up with a temporary fix for the leak so i can dry out the footwells, pending replacing the matrix etc when i have the spare cash.

It looks to be fairly simple to disconnect what i assume is the return feed (the right hand pipe in to the bulkhead) which is a flexible rubber job and connect it up to the metal part of what i assume is the input feed (the left hand pipe) creating a by pass and still allowing the engine to be run with a full coolant system.

Obviously the heater wont work, but other than that are there any other potential problems that might arise from doing this?

Im probably being an idiot and there is some obvious fatal flaw to my cunning plan....

Cheers

Rich

PS - i have allready checked out the thread and link in the maintenance section regarding this subject...

[earlymk2]

There is no flaw. Your plan is as cunning as you thought.

[Oilburner]

There is no flaw. Your plan is as cunning as you thought.

  i hope so cause im just about to go and do it!! If it goes bang.....

[DarnPB]

Just be aware that if your carpets are wet, all your windows will mist up BIG style, and you will have no heating to prevent it from happening!

[Jay]

Bollocks! I knew there was sommat I was meant to do today! 

(grease up the gasket around the rear cluster to stop the small leak I might have)

[Oilburner]

Just be aware that if your carpets are wet, all your windows will mist up BIG style, and you will have no heating to prevent it from happening!

  - cheers!

So, it seems that the cunning plan may have worked! Have only had it running in the garage but it seems to be fine with the botched 'by pass'! Carpets rolled back and hot air heater on to dry it out... Hopefully once its dried a should be able to avoid any 'misting' issues by keeping the windscreen nice and clean, window open etc.... 

Will have to see how i get on driving it once its dried out 

[Ben Lessani]

The matrix is only £35 from GSF with ED38 discount - its a 3/4 hour job, nothing particularly difficult - you don't even need a lot of tools, 10mm spanner/socket, flat blade and posidrive screwdrivers, wide grip pliers.

Its a MK2 - misty windows came as standard, it wasn't an optional extra And as soon as it rains, even modern cars mist up, you'll have to carry a mighty good chamois.

My advice, don't leave it too long and DIY next weekend, last thing we want to hear is another MK2 in a bump.

[Oilburner]

The matrix is only £35 from GSF with ED38 discount - its a 3/4 hour job, nothing particularly difficult - you don't even need a lot of tools, 10mm spanner/socket, flat blade and posidrive screwdrivers, wide grip pliers.

Its a MK2 - misty windows came as standard, it wasn't an optional extra And as soon as it rains, even modern cars mist up, you'll have to carry a mighty good chamois.

My advice, don't leave it too long and DIY next weekend, last thing we want to hear is another MK2 in a bump.

Thanks for the advice fellas. Dont worry, i wont be driving if the windscreens misted up!! The car is just a toy - project and is not a daily driver or transport, its just for fun so i wont be driving it in the rain at all untill i get the heating back on!! The sunroof leaks anyway so the rain is a no go for a while

I have some days of next week so i will probably do it then - forgive the ignorance but what and where is GSF? The best i have done on price so far is £65!!!

[sharpie]

the bypass you mentioned in the first post will work fine. it got me from dover to germany, and back to scotland when my heater matrix decided to lose it on the way to the 'ring.

[Ben Lessani]

GSF car parts - google it. When you're in there blag discount, just say "Edition38 - normally 20% blah blah blah". And you want a MK3 matrix too

Sunroof leak? I've got a brand new outer seal - £30 delivered