GraLaw 0 Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 Hello, I've needed a new rad for a few weeks now because of a hole and I've had to top up the water every few days. Today I was running low on water and suddenly steam started coming in the car first from the speedo area then from the speaker. I opened up the window to let it out and found a garage. Filled up the rad again and when I pulled away there was no steam inside and I got all the way home with no problems. On the plus side the speedo glass is spotless after a steam clean but I'm worried. Is it normal for the inside of the car to fill up with steam when the radiator is broken? Link to post Share on other sites
rodney 17 Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 I can honestly say I have never heard of that before... Link to post Share on other sites
kie_dub 0 Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 This happens when the heater matrix packs in, fills the car with steam Link to post Share on other sites
GraLaw 0 Posted January 13, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 That's what I was thinking at first but after I topped up the water it stopped steaming. Does anyone know the best place to get a rad in the Lydd/Romney/Ashford area? Link to post Share on other sites
kie_dub 0 Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 i got mine from gsf for 80 quid, they are all over the place Link to post Share on other sites
GraLaw 0 Posted January 13, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 Is that new or re-con? Link to post Share on other sites
vr6stormt 0 Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 when you was topping up each time did you add antifreeze cos if its frozen over night it might have caused a small crack in the matrix wich leaks steam inside the car when waters low and under presure? Link to post Share on other sites
GraLaw 0 Posted January 13, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 To be honest I didn't because the leak was so fast I didn't want to throw away antifreeze. Is the matrix a difficult job to do? Link to post Share on other sites
kie_dub 0 Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 Is that new or re-con?New mate Link to post Share on other sites
GraLaw 0 Posted January 13, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 ^ Thanks. Does anyone know of a good way to test the heater matrix? Also how hard is it to change? Link to post Share on other sites
MJ Vr6 79 Posted January 14, 2010 Report Share Posted January 14, 2010 ^ Thanks. Does anyone know of a good way to test the heater matrix? Also how hard is it to change?You will see signs if your matrix has gonemate, Slowly the windscreen starts misting up...Then floorpan becomes wet..You can actually start smellin it in your car mate.. Also have you checked the Guttereing holes in the Engine bay are clear..?No leaves etc, other wise you will get water in the car mate!!!http://www.nwdubs.com Link to post Share on other sites
VR6Pete 1,455 Posted January 14, 2010 Report Share Posted January 14, 2010 Its a big job to do the matrix, entire dash out jobby. I need to do it on the Corrado Link to post Share on other sites
GraLaw 0 Posted January 14, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2010 The only smell I've got is dog vomit. One of them plastered the back seats last week. I've vaxed it twice and I think it's not really drying out properly. The steam only happened once, stopped after I put the water in. Pick up my new rad later on so that's all my spare time tomorrow taken up. Thanks for all the answers.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Picked up my rad from D&D. Nice VR6 in the carpark. Anyone from here? Link to post Share on other sites
vr6stormt 0 Posted January 14, 2010 Report Share Posted January 14, 2010 If ya good with the spanners you should be ok Link to post Share on other sites
GraLaw 0 Posted January 15, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2010 New radiator fitted and now onto the matrix. I've started pulling the dash to pieces but there's only so much light in one day. I know I have to strip the dash totally but is it possible to leave in the steering wheel? I've removed two in my time and both times it ended badly with blood. Also, I'm trying to work out if it's matrix or pipes so it will have to go back together so I can go buy the parts. Any tips? Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts