heater matrix leaking help needed

Hey guys, need my passenger side and driver side footwell is wet and I think its coming from my heater matrix also my coolant level drops, now what do I need to look for and how do I go detecting a leak, would the heater matrix only leak when the heaters are working or is the system always filled with water so even if its standing it still be leaking, also how to change one all help appreciated in advance

Heater Cores (inside the airbox) do leak, you can see it more on the Drain lines of the heater box itself. Drivers side foot well there may be a drain line through the body covered by a plastic shroud.

They also can leak out the seam of the airbox, and get the left or right side of the car wet depending on how you turn.

The heater Valves are known to me to start leaking at the seam of the bottom to the top, and from the pivot.

If you are running the green glycol mix for antifreeze it is easier to see with a UV light, as the glycol will glow.

I have also had water pumps leak out of the bearing, catch the pulley and be splayed about that until it totally started dripping I didn't see it.

The Heater Core when they leak is it usually around the plastic covers of the aluminum core, and while easier to remove on a non a/c-equipped car it is still a pain.

I have a how to on beefing up the heater valve,
http://volkswagenownersclub.com/vw/showthread.php/91714-Those-Plastic-Heater-Valves.....?p=644178#post644178  I used JB-Weld full not quick and a Childrens dosing syringe to beef it up.

for a/c equipped there is a excellent write up on drivers found on how to replace it.
http://www.driversfound.com/scirocco/techtips/body/heatercore/

I even went so far as to cut a black piece of plastic and used trim screws to hold it in place over the cut out.

Pictures of the blank I affixed are here:
leaking heater core 89 cabby - Topless Rabbit Forums

For a non a/c equipped,
Drain all the coolant out of the expansion tank.

remove the 2 heater core hoses from the Heater Valve and the hard line, they will drain on the floor.

Inside the car remove the heater vent cover off the heater box left-hand side.

Remove the 2 heater core hoses, have a cup or rags handy to collect the run-off.

Remove the plate over the heater core.

Remove the heater core from the heater box.

I would verify that your heater hoses aren't the issue first., then I would consider replacing them if your unsure of the age of them… at least you will be preventing a new issue.

Thanks briano, I will have a look at that, I am running red antifreeze so hopefully can see where the red stuff is coming out from, hopefully have a look over weekend Thanks

If you are doing this job, it is worth changing the hose connector for the hose under the heater valve, as they rot. Replacements here: https://www.vwheritage.com/shop/golf-cabriolet/171121140D/connecting-pipe-water-hoses/

Also, if you still have the original spring clips on the hoses, get yourself the right tool for them - much easier especially where the hoses join the matrix: https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/flexible-long-reach-hose-clamp-pliers/?da=1&TC=GS-040816201&gclid=CJrC6IKV-c8CFckaGwodUygFuQ

Lee

yep and take the passenger seat out, makes it so  much easier to work on.

Have you cleaned the drain holes in the scuttle area?
These often get blocked with leaves etc, plus make sure the drain holes are clear in the door bottoms too.

Yep have cleaned drain holes in shuttle tray, just out of interest if the heater matrix was leaking would this only leak when the heaters are put on, or would it leak without the heaters being on thanks l, both passenger and drive side foot wells are wet

If it's the heater which is leaking then the water on floor will be coolant, a quick lick will tell you if it's coolant, coolant is bad for you and tastes horrible so you should be able to tell the difference as soon as it touches your tongue.
If it tastes ok then it's rain water and you have a leak from somewhere else.  

Hello me again, I looked at the heater matrix and there is sign of anti-freeze on the side of the housing on the left and also the front if the housing above the centre console, I felt the carpet below the hoses that come in from the engine and its dry there, so I don't think they are leaking. I could see the side where the metal core is connected to the plastic housing of the heater matrix and there is sign of antifreeze there would this mean, that a new heater matrix is need or is there anything else in that housing that I can check before ordering a new heater matrix, also best way or step by step in to removing it thanks