Air Conditioning/Defogger Problem!

[briencrean]

Hi all,

My FTO has been extremely reliable for quite some time but now the air conditioning or defogger system is acting up. I am getting some sort of weird condensation on the windscreen just above the front air vents even when it is off.

There is also a weird smell - kinda smells a little like coolant or something but Im not sure. I haven lost any coolant when I look at the resevoir. If anything I have more coolant than I thought I put in, as the tank is overfull !

Does anyone have any ideas. The smell actually makes me feel a little light headed and sick.

Cant be good!

Thanks

Brien

[CJ]

Brian, I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news but the heater matrix has bit the bullet. Search the forum for 'heater matrix' to get a feel for the work required to replace it.

CJ

[briencrean]

Brian, I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news but the heater matrix has bit the bullet. Search the forum for 'heater matrix' to get a feel for the work required to replace it.

CJ

Thanks CJ, better I know anyway.

I remember reading about that before and how tricky and expensive it can be to fix it. I was worried that might be the cause. I checked behind the glovebox as well expecting a leak but there was nothing there!?

What is the fluid that is coming through? Is it coolant?

[Kace]

Brian - Urgent - keep your car full of water until you get this issue resolved, and don't fill it up in the reservoir itself - you need to take off the metal cap and fill there.

[briencrean]

Brian - Urgent - keep your car full of water until you get this issue resolved, and don't fill it up in the reservoir itself - you need to take off the metal cap and fill there.

I have filled from the reservoir in the past. Is it a bad idea to fill from there because of air bubbles? I'm guessing it should be filled to the brim under the rad cap?

[briencrean]

I opened the radiator cap this morning and I couldnt see any liquid. I put in a pint of water and it bareley did anything.

Should this be full? There is steam coming out of the air vents now!

[CJ]

Should this be full? There is steam coming out of the air vents now!

Yes. If you've been driving the car with low coolant you increase chance of engine damage, I don't suppose you've been keeping an eye on the water temp sensor? As per Kace be very careful on checking the water levels if you must drive the car. Personally, I wouldn't chance driving it in its current condition.

CJ

[colm_mcm]

Personally, I wouldn't chance driving it in its current condition.

CJ

Agreed. If you really need the car, get someone to plumb the 2 pipes (going through the firewall) to the matrix together.

New matrix for sale here:
http://www.camskill.co.uk/products.php? ... 0s596p5786
Take note of the warnings given in the description.

works out at €195.28 including delivery.

[Kace]

Brian - Urgent - keep your car full of water until you get this issue resolved, and don't fill it up in the reservoir itself - you need to take off the metal cap and fill there.

I have filled from the reservoir in the past. Is it a bad idea to fill from there because of air bubbles? I'm guessing it should be filled to the brim under the rad cap?

Yes - if you want to drive it make sure that it's filled to the brim and keep checking it every day (or more) to make sure that it's full.

If you're having to put in litres of fluid each time, you should really limit your driving or as the guys suggest - stop altogether to avoid overheating damage.

[briencrean]

Thanks for the advice everyone. Im just gonna drive it home and then bring it to a mechanic in the morning.

He might be able to plumb the pipes together for the minute until I can afford to fix it. Will the car run fine without the heater matrix?

[colm_mcm]

Yeah, it'll be fine - as long as the weather stays fairly good!

In the meantime, keep the heater controls to cold and keep a window slightly open - antifreeze fumes aren't good for you.

[Kace]

Thanks for the advice everyone. Im just gonna drive it home and then bring it to a mechanic in the morning.

He might be able to plumb the pipes together for the minute until I can afford to fix it. Will the car run fine without the heater matrix?

By the way - if you don't have the new matrix yet the pipe plumbing solution is simple to do and will only take you or your mechanic 10 mins or so - just make sure you don't nick the coolant pipe when you're doing it as it's probably old and worn - mine was. It's easy to cut the rubber by accident when prying it off.

[briencrean]

Had a look at the problem over the weekend.

Its definitely the heater matrix. checked under the glove box and could see some fluid running down. Not a lot coming out so the coolant was leaking very slowly.

I have put some rag weld in for now which has temporarily fixed the problem.

I love the car but Im just gonna sell it now as its costing me too much to run and fix.

If anyone wants parts etc I might be willing to sell but I'd rather sell the entire car.

[colm_mcm]

If you're thinking of selling up, then lash a second hand matrix in there.

I don't think I have any, but I'd say Rory has.

[eamop]

is it a kind of copydex smell like the white glue we used to use in primary school like pva glue as i am experiencing similar problems and i know my matrix was leaking when i bought the car but i put in some rad weld and it solved the problem for a few months but i am also getting the condensation on my screen and a strange smell as described

[Kace]

I think that RadWeld is going to be nothing more than a temporary quick-fix. Your matrix is shot and you're going to need a new one. A second-hand one is also probably a false economy. I think you are going to need to bite the bullet on this one.