my car heater does not work but the temp guage remains at normal, I am losing some water too.?

Question

someone said that the 'matrix' internal radiator needs to be renewed, which is a long and expensive job for a garage, is this so?????

Answer 1

It is a tricky repair as it can involve removing all the dashboard. It does sound like the heater matrix is corroded, though it could be a perished hose or loose jubilee clip too.

However, that would be a little luckier. and yes, the garage bill will be a little steep due to the man the labour costs. im sure you know at least two have to watch.

Answer 2

Your radiator is a closed system and should not lose fluid. On my car, if the heater core is bad, you can smell a sweet smell coming from the vents and fluid under the heater core (the passenger side floor area) Fill your radiator to the top and the reservoir. The heater won't work if no radiator fluid gets to it. If it is not so low that there is no fluid, as other said, there maybe blockages. Feel the radiator, it shoudl be hot on one end and cooler, but not cold on the other. All the radiator lines should be wamr, some more then others. But not cold. The heater core can be done by yourself, join an internet forum for your specif model of car and chances are if it is a good active forum they will have members with the same problems and easy fixes or great how to's in order to get your problem fixed. If you do the work yourself, you save money and gain so much knowledge!

Answer 3

In most cars if the heater matrix is leaking, it will leak onto your feet!!! The matrix is usually located near the dashboard and just below it meaning if it is leaking then it will leak into the cabin. This isn't the case in all cars but is usual. Put some block seal in the engine, this will cure most leaks anywhere, including the heater matrix. It really is magic fluid!!! If this does not fix it then you have a cooked engine due to a faulty heater gauge (they are not very reliable), but that would be obvious in that it would not move!!!

Fill your radiator nearly to the top when hot, then leave to cool down, then put the Block seal in and leave engine running for about 10 minutes with sealant in system. With the exception of water pumps and hose splits this will repair any leak, even in the cylinder head or engine block itself for a while. After 10 minutes WITH THE ENGINE STILL RUNNING, top up with water. You should find it will stop leaking water then. This should in turn mean you get hot air blowing into the cockpit. If the leak stops but you still have no hot air you can at least narrow the fault down to an electrical problem. Call out a mobile engineer that specialises in the electrical systems of the car. They aren't expensive (if your in England) and will normally track down the problem and repair it within the hour.

Answer 4

Could be all the things mentioned, but i had the same problem a couple of years ago with my citroen ZX and I just opened the lid on the water tank after I'd been driving it for about 10 minutes. Ihad to use leather gloves so I didn't burn myself, but the pressure of the hot water forced whatever the blockage was and the heating came back on. I'd been quoted for a matrix renewal, but didn't need it. Worth giving that a try first and also, when the heater is switched on, turn the temp guage fully on and fully off, alternate between the two for about 30 seconds and that sometimes works.
Failing that. It's the matrix I fear

Answer 5

The temp gauge mostly relates to the engine temp.

However, it would generally show temp too low if the the heater isnt working correctly due to poor coolant circulation.(the engine coolant and heater matrix on the same circuit)

You need to specify if you can hear the fan blowing and can you feel air coming from the vents.

If the fan sounds and you feel no air from the vents , then a hose behind the dash is dislodged and takes seconds to refix.

If there is no fan motor noise ,check fuses, if all intact then switch or motor failure......garage.

If fan is blowing air, squeeze repeatedly all hoses (especially cold ones) within engine bay to attempt airlock removal.

It is possible to remove system blockage by forcing pressurized water (hosepipe) through the system via the header tank.(remove airlock screwouts from radiator hoses)

Failing these methods, it is possible that the heater matrix (position behind the dash) is blocked.
In some cars replacement is 45 mins and within ability of inexperienced DIY with haynes manual assistance.
Unfortunately ,most modern cars invite garage or dealer assistance.

Contrary to some earlier answers, you can lose water with airlock only.If the coolant fails to circulate it can overheat and will be lost thorugh the expansion tank.

Please disregard other answers ,most are partially or totally incorrect.

Answer 6

first find out where your losing coolant. Most gasoline power vehicles lose some coolant because of the excess heat generated by today's engines. Best places to look are the hose connections near real hot areas on the engine. If your losing a 1/2 pint a week and your in alot of stop/go traffic every day I would't worry to much about it. at some point there is a valve to let hot water flow into the radiater (heater core) inside the passenger compartment. find out how its controlled via an electric switch or cable rod. Most new cars are electric. turn your heater on full when the the car is cold start your engine and feel for hoses that go into the car. You should see your electric valve near there. If after 10 to 15 minutes the hoses are still cool= squeeze them to feel if theres water in em most times the water is there; pull the electric wire off the valve control and run a small wire direct to the battery + . If you still have no heat remove the valve insert a temporary connector (like a garden hose splice) and feel for heat. inside the car.

Answer 7

i have stumbled on that from time to time you do ought to hook a backyard hose to the valve on the bottom of the water heater as a fashion to empty it. turn the provision off, drain the tank, turn the provision decrease back on, do this about 3 circumstances to completely rinse out the tank. Are any of the nice and cozy water pipes uncovered to chilly air? residing house Depot or Lowe's carry foam pipe insulation. basically turning up the temp on the water heater ain't such an excellent theory, because the water heats up it builds pressure, if there is not any water getting used on the time the pressure will blow the emergency launch valve (that 'might want to' be plumbed outdoors), if the emergency launch valve is malfunctioning the tank or water lines will finally burst. truly risky in both difficulty!

Answer 8

Might not be the matrix,could be loosing water before it gets to the heater,physically check for leaks in the engine bay particularly at the rear.

Answer 9

Yup it's the heater core. If you do it yourself, it's nearly impossible. Any shop can have it done in a day with an appointment. It will be a little spendy though, but not as bad as you've been led to believe.

Answer 10

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, it is your heater core, if it was a airlock you wouldnt be looseing water, had the same problem myself, wasnt a expensive job so shop around, only cost me £80,