weird coolant leak

[naut2k5]

Hey all

I need some help here or advise....

I just got a car (2weeks ago) Golf GTI Mk2 .. had an engine change, new gearbox etc .... seems ok.....

Anyway .... I noticed yesterday that the coolant light was coming on ... thought to myself, cant be too bad as in my previous mk2 it was a fault and would come on a lot .... so I left it ....

Get to work today and after 4hrs I return to my car and find puddles of liquid inside !! YEs inside ... drivers side and passengers side on the ground .... I wonder what this is but just ignore it as it was raining heavily and it may be leaking in (I dunno why i thought this) .... I start to smell something funny and after a while pull over and check the coolant level...completly dry !! So i top it up completely and think nothing of it ...

Just left work about an hour ago and just before I hit the motorway I notice a bit of steam coming out inside the ventilation system so I pull over... I turn on the ventilation system to the max and suddenly a lot of steam/ water vapour comes on and totally covers the windscreen ..     STINKS too !!!

Decide to let it cool down and drive home .. very slowly...

Anyway , I know its a coolant leak but htf did it end up inside my car ??!?  ... I thought it is suppose to leak outside somewhere? Any help appreciated!  Shall I attempt to try and fix the problem (not that I would know where to start) or shall I take it down to a garage.... Can anyone shed any light on to whats goin on? 

Many thanks

Jim 

[Alexg40]

Sounds like the heater matrix has had it's day. Used to be a re-call item for free at VW but if I remember rightly they don't do it anymore.

You can replace them with MK3 Golf items I believe.

[...joe]

i second that!

[naut2k5]

Cheers guys, how much for a new one and how easy is it to change ?

[Organisys]

You need a Mk3 Heater matrix, the parts should be quite cheap, the problem will be the labour charge, as you need to remove the center console and its a bit fiddly. Cheap if you could do it yourself, otherwise 2/3 hours labour i think ?

Do a search on here for "heater matrix".

[GolfDan]

I had a similar problem on a mk2 driver years ago however it wasnt a coolant leak it was the drainage channels underneath the bonnet by the windscreen. They had filled up with leaves and dirt and werent allowing rain water to escape so it was somehow finding its way into the car and making my screen steam up but it does sound like your matrix is shot

[Judderi]

matrix. A quick and easier fix could be to bypass the matrix in the engine bay if thats possible. Would mean you have no heat but hey its summer! 

[Deefadog]

I changed mine, if i can do it anyone can just take it step by tep!

there is a how to guide here - http://www.clubgti.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1398&PN=1

Replacement mk2 matrix cost about £25 FROM GSF!

good luck, and where some light weight gloves ot loose your knuckles

[GTI EDITION (aka LTD)]

I changed mine, if i can do it anyone can just take it step by tep!

there is a how to guide here - http://www.clubgti.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1398&PN=1

Replacement mk2 matrix cost about £25 FROM GSF!

good luck, and where some light weight gloves ot loose your knuckles

I've just had a look at the how to guide 
Quote:
 10) Disconnect the cables from the operating levers and carefully prise off the clips that attach the cable sleeve to the airbox. There are 2 cables passenger side, and 1 drivers side)
: end quote

I have replaced more matrixes on mk2s than I care to remember and have found it a lot easier to leave the cables attached to the control mechanism and instead

1) Pull the 3 plastic levers out of the controls
2) Remove the illuminated control cover
3) Remove the 3 screws that hold the controls
 
This means that you can take out the heater assembly with the controls still connected which makes it a lot quicker and also means that you don't have to fiddle about readjusting the cables and also risk breaking the retaining clip holders   

(Thats why I managed to get the time down to 45mins start to finish including running up the engine to full opperating temp)

[naut2k5]

man u guys are reallllllllllly helpful!!

I shouldnt have driven my car since first noticing the proble .. just seems to be getting worse...water just pours out the passenger side ...lol ..its soaked...my main concern now is removing all the interior too to get to the water that is under the carpet bit !! Its even dripping under the car!!!! must have 10litres+ inside the car , taken some out by squeezing all the 1000s of paper towels I use... great fun...

Will see what I can do re the instruction although my mate will check it monday .. im just concerned that water I am putting in is coming straight out ....oil reading hit 114 last night and 102 this morning....just got back in now and all my windows were steaming and water was pouring out ... vapour was coming out the air vents and my display was steaming up ... 

who wants this car? 

How easy is the bypass to do and which bits need bypassing? Can someone take a pic of what I need to bypass ! DAMN hot day today and I dont think I need a heater when I have water vapour coming out and warming me up !

Time for bed