Air Con Evaporator

[damien king]

Hi All

 

So I have the water in both passenger footwells, and I am loosing huge amounts of water, I am pretty certain the leak is coming from inside the heater matrix and a mechanic has said its the heater radiator, is "heater radiator" another word for "air con evaporator"?

 

I have been looking at nicks post and pics regarding air con evaporator and myself and a friend are thinking of tackling it ourselves as it will save me a fortune in labour costs, we are both pretty competent with this type of thing but i just have a few questions:

 

I have a 1.9 tdi mk1 (2000) is this part model specific?

 

Where can i get the TIS cd?

 

is the air con evaporator the only place water can leak within the dash? it looks as if there one pipe going in then straight out again...

 

seen a few posts about bypassing the air con evaporator with a diy hose, I get the general idea behind this but has anyone done it? any tips?

 

Nick mentions getting the part for

[seatkid]

So I have the water in both passenger footwells, and I am loosing huge amounts of water, I am pretty certain the leak is coming from inside the heater matrix and a mechanic has said its the heater radiator, is "heater radiator" another word for "air con evaporator"?

No the heater matrix and the evaporator are two seperate things. Heater matrix for heating - plumbed into the cars water cooling system, evaporator for cooling and plumbed into the aircon. They are however both mounted in the same housing located behind the dash.

 

It sounds as if you have a ruptured heater matrix. (Have you been running without the correct level/type of antifreeze?). Big job to replace - at least one days labour (experienced garage).

 

It is vital to use the correct level of antifreeze (30% - 50%) and is the correct type (any old antifreeze will not do). Otherwise, corrosion and big problems.

[sparky Paul]

So I have the water in both passenger footwells, and I am loosing huge amounts of water, I am pretty certain the leak is coming from inside the heater matrix and a mechanic has said its the heater radiator, is "heater radiator" another word for "air con evaporator"?

Your mechanic means the heater matrix.

 

The aircon evaporator and heater matrix are two separate devices - the aircon evaporator provides cooling from the aircon circuit (gas), if you have aircon fitted, and the heater matrix provides heating from the engine coolant circuit (water). Connections to the aircon evaporator are via two aluminium pipes on the nearside of the bulkhead, the heater matrix is connected by flexible hoses behind the engine.

 

If you have coolant (it has a particular smell) in the footwells, then it is likely that the matrix has gone. You can link out the heater matrix as a temporary measure, but obviously you will loose cabin heating...

 

I can only recommend that you try local motor factors for a replacement matrix, that's what I would do if the part was too expensive from Ford or VW, or try fleabay. AFAIK, the matrix unit is the same for mk1 and Mk2 vehicles, the only difference being for LHD and RHD cars.

 

A leak in the coolant system will cause it to loose pressure and boil, subsequent inadequate cooling and overheating is likely. If the matrix has had it, I would replace that first.

 

EDIT: That's what happens when you go off and pour a cup of tea mid reply - SK beats you to it! :16:

Edited March 27, 2009 by sparky Paul

[seatkid]

EDIT: That's what happens when you go off and pour a cup of tea mid reply - SK beats you to it! :16:

 

No time for tea...... :P

[sepulchrave]

I can only recommend that you try local motor factors for a replacement matrix, that's what I would do if the part was too expensive from Ford or VW, or try fleabay. AFAIK, the matrix unit is the same for mk1 and Mk2 vehicles, the only difference being for LHD and RHD cars.

 

Frankly the cost of the matrix is trivial compared to the cost of the effort involved in replacing it. :16:

[sparky Paul]

I can only recommend that you try local motor factors for a replacement matrix, that's what I would do if the part was too expensive from Ford or VW, or try fleabay. AFAIK, the matrix unit is the same for mk1 and Mk2 vehicles, the only difference being for LHD and RHD cars.

 

Frankly the cost of the matrix is trivial compared to the cost of the effort involved in replacing it. :)

 

Too right, but the OP didn't want to pay dealer price for the part.

Edited March 28, 2009 by sparky Paul

[Mirez]

If it is the evaporator thats needed there is a very cheap one brand new on ebay ATM:

 

Linky