coolant leak

Sat Mar 01, 2008 7:16 pm

iv noticed today that iv got an coolant leak from under the centre consol, possibly the haeter matrix??? how easy is it to remove the matrix???

Sat Mar 01, 2008 10:32 pm

Not hard with RHD. Get under there and remove a couple of screws and remove the heater pipes under the bonnet.You'll have to remove either the heater valve and that little plastic pipe or remove four nuts on the bulkhead holding the big black heater case. I found removing the valve&pipes very easy WITH the right tools. Returning the heater console back in place can be a problem if you're working alone and can be hard.
After all of this is done just slide it out.

Sat Mar 01, 2008 10:43 pm

Sure it's coolant, and not rainwater finding its way in because of blocked scuttle drains?
If it is coolant, then the chances are it's the electric valve, rather than the matrix, although leaking matrices aren't unknown.
Make sure the coolant pressure cap has been changed under recall! There are STILL E30s around with original caps - the touring I bought yesterday, for one!

Sat Mar 01, 2008 10:45 pm

its only just started dribbling down the tunnel on the passenger side if that helps any??

Sat Mar 01, 2008 10:50 pm

You can tell if it's coolant by tasting it!

Sat Mar 01, 2008 10:51 pm

Probably valve then if it's ONLY on the passenger side but could be any of the two. You can smell the coolant unlike rainwater, the easiest way to check.

Fri Mar 07, 2008 9:16 am

solved with K-seal

Fri Mar 07, 2008 9:32 am

Another member to add to my list of " e30zone members never to buy cars from".

Sat Mar 08, 2008 1:39 am

Brianmoooore wrote:Another member to add to my list of " e30zone members never to buy cars from".

its only a short term remedy mate, iv got a b25 to go in next weekend now

Sat Mar 08, 2008 3:05 am

A new engine won't renew you heater matrix/valve.

Sat Mar 08, 2008 9:14 am

Aleksandar wrote:A new engine won't renew you heater matrix/valve.

i no this mate, thats why i have a complete donor car for the swap

Sun Mar 16, 2008 12:21 am

I HOPE YOU DONT MIND ME HI-JACKING THIS THREAD SLIGHTLY!

the other day i was in a traffic jam in my 325i with the heating on and the fan on 2. . . all of a sudden steam fired out of all 4 heater vents and totaly filled my car up. i switched the car off and dived out the car like sh1t of a shovel! when i got out there was coolant p*ssin out all over the floor but my footwells remained dry. . . can anyone tell me what this might be and how to fix it???

thanks!