Heater Core / Matrix Problems LEAKING Need Help & ADVICE!?

Question

Hiya People,
I am in the process of buying Volkswagen Golf Driver 1.6 1990 (VERY CHEAP PRICE),
I mainly want this as a project car, so if i end up with no heater no problem.
also if it makes a differance I live in the UK.
Ok, my problem is that the heater does not work, and there is water leaking in the passanger footwell.
My big quest is that could this cause the car to overheat or blow the head gasket?
Does the heater core or matix (I think they are the same) use the same water that is used for the engine (coolant).
By what i have gathered is that they use the same water, meaning the coolant level will go down and cause the car to overheat thus blowing the head gasket - AM I RIGHT?
Is the heater matrix and core the same?
How hard to change (as in diy)?
REMEMBER CAR IS FOR IS A PROJECT CAR FOR ME TO FIX UP.
I Thank you all in advance for answering my question, thank you!

Yes its a RHD, then wat would cause a head gasket to blow?

Answer 1

Cooling systems have to be presurized to work right. If the core is leaking badly the system will never develope pressure and you're looking at serious problems. Water won't flow right and hoses will collapse from pump suction.Just take the two hoses off the heater core and join them together with a piece of copper tubing.

Answer 2

It is true that coolant will gather on the passenger side of the vehicle down by the front feet when the heater core develops a leak. This may also be coupled with the fogging of the inside of the windshield from steam coming from the hot cooling system. I have changed over 25 heater cores in my career and I cant remember one time saying that it was an easy job compared to the others. Finally, yes, the coolant that leaks onto the floor or removes as steam is all fluid that engine no longer has to cool itself. The lack of coolant does not allow for the engine to cool itself and sometimes resulting in major engine repair like you mentioned. There are quite a few items on the market these days that guarantee the repair of such gasket problems, and some may work well for a time. The real repair though is when you replace what is broken. Check this site as well(www.2carpros.com/topics/heatcore.htm)

Answer 3

Yes it is the same "water"... the whole system is contained and pressurized... one bad area will affect everywhere else.... will it blow a head gasket.... not directly, but keep an eye on it...

As far as overheating, yes it will over heat... you can try some radiator fix, but I don't know if it will work or not....

I also am not too familiar with those cars... esp. if it is RHD... but if it is like the LHD American cars, it is a chore cause it is up behind the dash, which has to come all the way out...

Answer 4

Head gaskets blow for a number of reasons. Some cars have a lot of problems in this area, especially those with aluminum heads; Too many times overheated, original installation was incorrect, bad gaskets to begin with.

Answer 5

this is werid that your lady buddy does no longer aid you pee once you ought to! i could in simple terms tell her that this is how this is : you require going to the washroom at nighttime. And too undesirable if she does not like it! regardless of if this is a extreme issue i think you ought to sleep on the settee, or SHE ought to. Is she a mild sleeper or something ?? Does she consistently awaken once you leave the mattress ?? for sure she replaced into already unsleeping the day before in the present day and that's so unusual that she could carry you back from going whilst she replaced into unsleeping anyhow. good success !!