Coolant in the passenger footwell

[Farbbm]

Went for a spin in the Sport yesterday with a couple of mates in a MK1 Golf GTi and Porsche Boxster however after 14 miles the Coolant light lit up on the check control panel and water start pouring into the passenger footwell. I presume it's either from the pipe or the heater matrix but can anyone advise the best way to get to inspect it and how easy it is to change either depending on which is at fault?

Thanks

[capri_rob]

Heater valve. You need to drop the glovebox by undoing the straps, remove the plastic trim and you'll then be able to see where it's coming from.

I had to do this on my touring a few weeks ago. I was dreading it but it's not too bad of a job.

[Jona1971]

Worst case could be the heater matrix. Got mine from CP4L for £20, went straight in, 3 months on and no issues.

(Needed to detach the steering pump bracket to slide old matrix out and new one in, Haynes manual had all the details of how to do it).

[Farbbm]

OK removed the glovebox and trim. Turned the heater on and water came gushing out of the air vent on both sides. Could we therefore conclude that's my issue is with the heater matrix and it needs to be replaced?

[steve_k]

Sometimes it is the matrix, sometimes it is the O rings on the ends of the valve,

Check those before buying a new heater matrix, could be a cheap fix.

[Brianmoooore]

Worst case could be the heater matrix. Got mine from CP4L for £20, went straight in, 3 months on and no issues.

(Needed to detach the steering pump bracket to slide old matrix out and new one in, Haynes manual had all the details of how to do it).

If a new matrix (of decent quality?) can be obtained foe £20, then the worst case scenario is the electric valve - you won't get a new one of those for £20.
You have one strange E30 if the steering pump bracket is anywhere near the heater matrix!

Disconnect the hoses under the bonnet first of all, and tie them up to a wiper spindle, then no coolant will be lost from the engine. Next connect a hose to the lower stub on the bulkhead, and flush through with clean water. That way, any spillage when you dismantle things inside the car will only be clean water and not carpet staining coolant.

Check that the coolant pressure cap has been changed under the safety recall. The original type can cause these kind of problems.

[Jona1971]

My mistake - "brake pedal cross-shaft pivot assembly" removed first then I was referring to the 4 nuts at the back of the vacuum servo unit, then the bracket removed for access to the heater matrix - Had to look it up, bad memory.

http://www.carparts4less.co.uk/heater-matrix currently £73.20 - OUCH. (ECP £67) Must have been one of their crazy sales.

When I disconnected the hoses under the bonnet I marked one of them so i would know which way to put them back on again.

Just trying to be helpful...

[Farbbm]

Thanks Guy's, I'll have another look later on and see the valve has a leak although going by the quantitiy of Coolant coming through the vent I suspect it sounds more like the matrix.

All help and advice greatly received.

[Brianmoooore]

If the coolant is definitely coming from the vent, then the matrix is the problem.

[Farbbm]

When I tested it yesterday, after stripping the interior trim around the matrix nothing came out but when I turned the heater on full it did a good impression of Niagra falls.

Where would be the best place to buy a heater matrix? GSF and Eurocarparts are around the £55 -70 mark.