leaking heater matrix dangerous?

**julianj** · 01-02-2008,03:13 PM

Hi, I have soggy carpet on the passenger side which I'm lead to believe is probably a leaking heater matrix. I have couple of questions around this:

1) is there any short term danger in driving the car? I have a longish trip to make over the weekend and don't want to take any chances. I can live with out the heater but I don't want the thing to blow up.

2) Is there anything I can "top up" to tide me over and what do I top it up with - water? coolant? oil?

3) I've also read that these leaks can be fixed using radwell? Where would I pour this stuff to try to fix the problem?

As you can tell by my questions, I know nothing, so if you can please talk to me like I'm a child and be as unambiguous as possible with responses, I'd be very grateful!

Thanks in advance.

Julian.

**ini** · 01-02-2008,04:00 PM

A leaking heater matrix can cause corrosion/damage to other electrical components behind the dash.

It can also cause the windscreen to mist up, which can be dangerous due to reduced visibility.

Radweld will generally fix a small leak, but can sometimes restrict the flow of water through the matrix.

Simply pour all the radweld into your fully warmed up expansion tank/radiator and run the engine for 10 minutes.

**julianj** · 01-02-2008,04:04 PM

Brilliant. Thanks very much.

Now, bear with me one more minute....

What/where is the expansion tank?

**bora(ing) nick** · 01-02-2008,04:09 PM

What car do you drive????

There are more explanations than a faulty heater matrix for a soggy carpet.

IF it is you heater matrix... the engine coolant is leaking into the car, and causing the coolant level to drop. This would eventually cause overheating, and ruin your engine.

There have been recalls for certain audi's regarding water getting in via the pollen filter, due to a blockage in the drains under the battery.

Nick

**julianj** · 01-02-2008,04:14 PM

It's an Audi A6 Estate 1.8T

I fully intend to take it the garage at the earliest opportunity. I really just wanted to know if there was something I could check/top up/try to make sure that I can safely get through the weekend.

It was the man on the phone at the RAC who said it most likely a leaking heater matrix.

**bora(ing) nick** · 01-02-2008,04:18 PM

The A6 definately had the blocked drainage holes problem.... And with the amount of rain we have had recently i'd put my money on that.

There are numerous threads on here regarding soggy carpets.

I'd phone your local VW dealer and see if it qualifies for the free recall.

Just tell them that you think the drain holes under the battery are blocked, and thus causing water to enter the car via the plenum chamber.

Keep us informed....

Nick