Steamy windows and an odd smell

[andyahp]

Hello all,

Just after some advice from the more experienced. My 96 GR has suddenly developed a strange smell from the heaters and steamed up windows, mainly the passenger side. I have checked the passenger control for dampness/water but non present. I just topped up the coolant and after a drive about this has dropped slightly. The heaters are blowing out hot air on 32 with no problems but the windows still dont seem to clear. Any ideas what this could be. thanks in advance for any help

[Sebastian]

signs of a faulty heater matrix ,

[andyahp]

I had thought that from digging around on here but just wanted to check opinions with my actual symptoms, thanks though, that should be fun to sort out

[StewyD32]

That must be the most misleading thread title... Thought I was in for a bit of smut.
Got my hopes up with the odd smell bit

[andyahp]

Lol

[Dragonheart]

Heater matrix like Seb said.

[optical illusion]

Not being smart but what is the smell like and is it constant?

[andyahp]

Fish I would say, something like that lol. I wouldnt say it was constant when driving, I bit hard to say because you get use to it.

[holio]

Try replacing the coolant, expired/boiled coolant can give a fishy smell.
It is a horrendous smell, does remind me of this gir..........

[andyahp]

I took it to the garage today and it is pretty much confirmed the heater matrix is the problem. Anybody a rough idea how much it costs? Id have a go myself but its too big a job like

[colm_mcm]

Camskill have them. The biggest cost is the labour in taking the dashboard out. The rest is easy.

[andyahp]

I got a quote for 300 plus VAT just for the labour. I put some sealant in on the advice of a garage but that has done little if nothing. I drove it today and after two miles the temperature went through the roof and stream starting coming out of the windscreen vent like you wouldnt imagine!!

[optical illusion]

My matrix shat itself today.

The smell was so bad I had to pull in and get sick. Worst smell ever. Thought I was gonna die.

[goz_83]

Jaysus, That's hilarious! I was in stitches laughing at that. I guess it puts a sense of urgency into getting it sorted then? Can't be drivin around, smellin like sh1te. You'll be givin us all an awful name and fto will mean "F**k That Out". Good luck with it and I hope Febreze sorts out the stench.

[optical illusion]

Thanks, I'm glad a girl getting sick on the side of the road made you laugh. Coz I felt like crying.

[Bernard]

Something similar happened to me a few years back.
The only difference is it was my passengers getting sick not me, it wasn't an FTO and instead of the heater matrix making the smell it was the previous nights Guinness.

[Dragonheart]

Thats why the window lock button was invented.

[holio]

Thats why the window lock button was invented.

Gotta love driving home along motorways after a serious night on the gargle.
The window lock button was the selling point for me.

[Bernard]

That's why +1s are a must on FTO-Ireland meets.
Some people are naturally gifted in that area though

[red]

Ive steamy windows too..due to a slightly banged up passenger door..

[optical illusion]

Can it be definitely be replaced without decompressing the air con? It's just another pain in the hole I don't need...

[Kace]

Can it be definitely be replaced without decompressing the air con? It's just another pain in the hole I don't need...

Yep it can. Only problem is that it's one of the toughest FTO jobs out there :-/

[andyahp]

Well the good news is that I managed to replace the matrix myself. Hells teeth! It was a hard job. Only problem now is that it had knackered my electrics. Nothing on the dash works and the rear lights dont work, as the local police just pointed out :s

[goz_83]

Have you checked the fuses under the hood? Same thing happened me wen I was wiring up the led gear knob. I guess that's why they say you should disconnect the battery first, but I didn't.

[andyahp]

I havent tbh, I know that the cause of the problem is just one fuse cos its just one fuse that does the dash lighting and the rear lights but I dont know where or which one exactly that it is