Heater matrix replacement tips on an '83 GTi?

I need to check that my heater matrix hasn't sprung a small leak as I seem to be gradually losing coolant according to the expansion tank level.

This seems to happen mostly when using the heater, as the level doesn't seem to drop much when I don't.

No obvious water in the oil, no obvious leaks from the tubing in the engine bay or dampness in the footwell.

Wondering maybe if the matrix has a harline crack in it which is letting a small amount of coolant out, but the matrix is getting hot enough for this to evaporate off before it can drip anywhere?

Anyway neither the Haynes (that I can see) or my golf resto book seem to cover the removal process. ETKA has an exploded view of the heater assembly, but not really in relation to the surrounding dash fixings.

Just need to know if this is a dash out job to replace the matrix, or if I can just get away with taking away the gearlever / cubby surround and get enough access this way.

Bottom line is I need the car to get up to Suffolk for xmas tomorrow (3 hour drive), so I can't afford to dismantle things only to find I can't get it all together again, but it would be nice to have some heating in the car given snow is forecast this weekend  8O .

If I have to I can live without the heater for the trip, but I'd rather not!!!!!

Any time saving tips or quick checks to suss out if the matrix is OK or if its something else causing the coolant loss would be good.

Cheers,

Chris

Wellsy comes up trumps   . Thanks for taking the trouble to ring me mate, much appreciated.

Looks a fairly simple thing to check by removing a few of the lower dash panels on passenger and drivers side footwells. Going to do this first to see if I can see any evidence of leakage before going ahead and replacing.

Running a bit short on time so better get cracking  :wink:

Chris

Chris - is it not the case that water would go through the matrix if you have the heater on or not? When the heater fan is switched on all this does is turn on the fan rather than water flow through the matrix.

I may be wrong but I know other older cars that work like this. Therefore in my mind the leak wouldn't get better/worse if the fan is on or not.

hope that may help?!

Sorry Hairy wasn't very clear - what I mean was as long as the hot / cold slider on the heater panel is left in the cold position this means than the valve to the matrix will be closed I think.

This means that there shouldn't be coolant flowing through it and so any leak shouldn't be a problem. At least thats how I understand it anyway.

The fan will just blow air over the matrix whether its hot or hold I think.

Chris

Sorry, with u now Chris. Yep, you're right. When you put it on cold it shuts the valve off in the water pipe so no water flow! Doh!

Well, spent most of Christmas eve fitting a new expansion tank and heater matrix…. in the rain…
Still managed to do it and it managed to get us to the family for xmas!

Still not 100% that the pipes to the heater matrix are OK, as they felt a bit brittle and still looks like maybe a very small leak there.

Cheers,

Chris

hi m8.

the pipes you mention are worth checking out.
the one without the valve has a small metal connection.

these rust really badly,normally when you take em out they are all split or fall in bits :?

worth a look,maybe a bit of stainless would be good.?

in fact if youve had the matrix out,youve posssibly seen this?

Thanks for the tip riley, but I've already replaced the small bit of rusted steel pipe you mention when I changed the heater valve . Tall Pete mentioned it and I used the VW replacement part (its only about a quid or so - small nylon based replacement). They always rust as you say and can cause the coolant to go a bit brown, not to mention flakes coming off and clogging up the heater matrix and waterways in the block.

There seems to very a tiny drip from one of the matrix pipes around the Jubilee clip and I think maybe the pipes are past their best.

I'll order new ones from VW as soon as I can and replace to be on the safe side.

SInce reaplcing the coolant and matrix plus expansion tank the car runs much cooler - only goes up to just under half way on the temp guage and the oil temp seems lower as well.

Cheers,

Chris