Ongoing Water Problem!

[mariaphilkai]

We have a 1998 Galaxy which a few months ago started flashing the temp light, whilst needle was is normal range. We realised we had a water leak from somewhere, took it to the garage who replaced a pipe. They warned the bit where the pipe connected to the heater matrix had been repaired before may fail so we may have to replace the matrix in future.

 

Car was fine for a couple of weeks, then started leaking again (basically topping up the water every day). Took it in again and they said it wasn't the matrix and replaced another pipe.

 

Again fine again for another few weeks. Then temp light flashing again and water leaking. By now getting annoyed! The leak is slower than before so the garage are doing something, but there is also obviously a problem. The display panel for the air con flashes for about 10 seconds when the car starts. And as of yesterday we have a big pool of water in the drivers foot well.

 

We don't want to keep going back to the garage who clearly don't know what the problem is, so does anyone know what this is? we also have a bit of windscreen misting up which we have been told indicates the heater matrix.

 

Any help gratefully received

[mumof4]

windscreen misting up on inside is because water is in the car.IIRC.

[seatkid]

Oh dear, looks like the heater matrix is now leaking and needs to be replaced. :rolleyes:

 

Is the water in the footwell, engine coolant? (try and sponge some up into a glass and check colour against the header tank)

 

If the previous owner and/or you and/or garage have topped up with plain water, or the wrong antifreeze has been used (i.e. not G11/ G12+) or strength then the reason the heater matrix has failed is due to internal corrosion.

 

I take it the a/c doesnt work? (hence the display flashing - probably low gas)

[mariaphilkai]

Thanks

 

To be honest we don't use the air con but will try it tomorrow. We just assumed it was water in the footwell so will check that out tomorrow.

 

Does anyone know how much this matrix is going to cost? Whent he garage mentioned it before he said it wa a massive job so we are expecting it to be pretty pricey :rolleyes:

 

Thanks for your help!

[seatkid]

Its a full dashboard strip out, which is at least 1 day probably 2 days labour. That and a new matrix plus new coolant will be several hundred pounds.

 

If its failed due to corrosion (for reasons as stated previously) then further corrosion damage elsewhere may be lurking. e.g. rear heater matrix, water pump, even engine head

[mumof4]

didnt someone on here do the job themselves? and post pics of the dashboard strip out??..

 

am sure they did....

[mariaphilkai]

I don't think we would be up to the job to be honest! We have absoltely no idea when it comes to cars!

 

Guess I'll ring the garage and get out the credit card.

 

Thanks again

[mumof4]

i dont blame you, the pics if i remember right, were awesome, wires and stuff everywhere..

 

hope it isnt too pricey for you. :rolleyes:

[mariaphilkai]

Well its been into the garage today and they reckon the matrix is ok, and that the 2 pipes the other garage replaced haven't done anything :)

 

They 'think' its the head gasket as there seems to be water coming from that. but its to big a job for them so we are going to have to go elsewhere. They reckon about

[seatkid]

No, it does not sound right.

 

Head gasket failure is usually dramatic, engine overheating and water system overpressurising and coolant lost not only in the engine, but obviously from the header tank cap (due to overpressure). Also "emulsion" evident on oil filler cap/dipstick. Less dramatic on TDi engines but head gasket failure on these are rare, and head cracking (around valves) is the usual reason for head related water loss.

 

There is no way you get water in the footwell due to a blown head gasket. However the "leaking?" pipes and "repairs" to the matrix point to something.

 

You could ask your garage to bypass the matrix, i.e. connect the in/out pipes together. You wont have a front heater, but you could determine if water loss continued. And the water in the footwell should stop.

 

BTW the other reasons for water in the footwell are

 

1. Leaking rear window washer pipe. (Water in passenger side only)

 

2. Leaking window/bulkhead seals allowing rainwater in.

 

Basically your garage don't know what they're doing. Find another garage.

[mariaphilkai]

Thank you! We have it booked in for a third garage tomorrow. We were also wondering if the water in the footwell was just a coincidence and not related to the initital problem.

 

This garage is a ford specialist, but not actually ford I think. But we will state what you have said in an attempt to not look completely clueless :rolleyes:

 

Thank you!

[Smilge]

Nice one SK! Hope you get it sorted.

[mariaphilkai]

Little update!

 

Its been to the garage, well it's still there. It took them only a couple of hours to work out what was wrong, unlike the first that took 4 days then repaired the wrong thing.

 

Firstly it's the matrix and another leak on something else which i've forgotten but it wasn't a big deal and that one was easy. There's also a problem with the air con leaking but apparently if they start fixing it, it could open us up to a whole world of problems. Seeing as we don't use it, they're just going to seal it off so its not leaking and the car won't have air con.

 

Finally think we may be getting somewhere! We'll see when we get the car back!

 

Thanks everyone for all your help, will let you know how we get on!

[seatkid]

hmmm.....never heard of "sealing off the aircon" - Galaxy a/c's often leak but as its R134a gas, once its leaked out, thats it. You don't need to seal anything.

 

If they are going to replace the matrix, it would be a good opportunity to replace the a/c evaporator (but only if thats where the leak in the a/c is), as they both require a stripdown of the dash. But if you're happy to live without the a/c then thats OK

 

Hope it doesnt end up costing you too much. Remember always maintain the correct level of antifreeze (between 30% and 50%) and top up with the correct mixture (not just plain water) otherwise corrosion will cost you dear. Use only approved antifreeze. (G12+ for VAG engines - you never did tell what engine you have......)

[mariaphilkai]

To be honest we have never used the air con. Basically I think they may just drain what is left out so it doesn't leak. We really have no idea what they are talking about most of the time!

 

We have a 2.8 petrol.

 

I assume the handbook will say what sort of anti freeze we should use??

 

This was our ebay bargain car. Only not such a bargain now! Warning light came on 2 days after we bought it! Will make sure we are topping up correctly now

 

Thank you

[seatkid]

This was our ebay bargain car. Only not such a bargain now! Warning light came on 2 days after we bought it!

 

;) 2nd member in 2 weeks.....No further comment......

 

Antifreeze is called G12+ available from vw/audi/seat/skoda dealers.

[mariaphilkai]

Yes, how many people with ebay cars did we come across while looking for help with this!

 

Thanks very much, will make sure thats what we get.