Assuming its the Heater Matrix...

[Garry@16v.com]

Hey up lads...

I need some advice on a leak i have in my car ... i'm prepared to replace the heater matrix but not sure if this is the cause of the problem.... so i will explain the problem and mention the symtoms...

My car is a Golf mk2 GTI 16v F plate, in the drivers footwell it leaks the worst near to the centre console, the heaters do not get warm at all.... i have replaced the Radiator, Radiator fan, new pipes... etc... due to the problems i had when the car was purchased.

Could any1 suggest any info going what i explained above....

Thanks a lot 

Garry

[LPG'd Oakie]

Hi Mate,

Its sound like you may be right. Are you loosing coolant ant the same time as the dampness in the footwell?

Mine went really suddenly, causing the passenger side to be 1/2 inch in water! Its not the easiest jobs I have done I have to say.

[Garry@16v.com]

Thanks for the update LPG'd Oakie,

To be honest i'm not loosing to much coolant at all... i think over a 2 weeks i will loose about 1 cm below the max level.

I also get a lot a condenstation on the windows within the car, i assuming this is due to the dampness with in the footwell and to the right of the fuse box

How long did it take you to replace the heater matrix?

Garry

[free]

took me about 4 hours

[moonsta]

  if you have anti-freeze in the car the dampness will smell sickly sweet,if in doubt dab your finger on it and taste.......it will be disgustingly sickly and nearly make you puke but that will confirm that it's the heater matrix. please be warned that the antifreeze is very toxic and the taste of Fanta Fruit Twist is better!!!! 

[GTI EDITION (aka LTD)]

SOUNDS LIKE MATRIX  . THERE WAS A RECALL ON MATRIX ES ON GOLFS , JETTAS , PASSATS AND CORRADOS , YOU MAY BE ABLE TO GET IT DONE FOR NOWT ..ASK YOUR LOCAL VW AGENT IF YOUR PARTICULAR CAR HAS HAD IT DONE THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO CHECK ON VW S DIALOG COMPUTER SYSTEM  . IT MAY HAVE JUST HAD HEATER BYPASS VALVE MOD DONE ( INSIDE ENGINE BAY )  I'VE LOST COUNT OF HOW MANY I'VE REPLACED OVER THE YEARS AT VW DEALERSHIP I GOT THE TIME DOWN TO 45-50 MINS FROM START TO FINISH !! 

[LPG'd Oakie]

Took me about 4-5 hours of swearing, knucle grazing and generally making like a russian gymnast! Still, least it's done!

[takethefifth]

I didn't realise my matrix had gone until reading up on here.. Had the car ten months before i realised i had bought it with a leaking matrix!! Same signs as yours - slight condensation, using water over a couple of weeks, damp footwell. Even when i got the matrix out and forced water into it still couldn't find the leak, anyway swapped it over (about 5 hours) and not a sign of condensation ever again. Sorted.

[Organisys]

I had a Mk3 once, (don't ask) and the passesnger footwell got really soggy. I thought the matrix had gone, until i pulled all the trim off the B pillar, the door surrond, and the pulled the carpet out, only to find it was a missing/perished rubber bung gone from the bottom of the footwell. I'm guessing it was a hole used to mount the car on a jig at the factory, for assembly/ painting whatever. Anyway Plugged it up, drove around with heater on for a while, no more damp car!

 

[nickj6]

i had the same problem on my 8v, for months I'd use 1cm of coolant a month, then all of a sudden the matrix went took 2 and a half hours to get out getting it back in is proving to be fun!!!