Turned my heater on this morning and could smell antifreeze - leak in the heater matrix or is there another scoob-specific fault that could cause this?

A bit of background: my car's a '96 wrx, with no engine mods. Recently had the engine out to replace the head gaskets (excellant advice supplied by '911' and David from API - thanks for that). Whilst the head gaskets were leaking the coolant system was being pressurised to the extent that the header tank failed along the crimped seam. Now, I'm imagining that amount of pressure in the coolant system may also be responsible for causing the heater matrix to spring a leak. Does this sound paulisble? (I'm also losing a bit of water from the coolant system although can't feel any dampness inside the car).

If it is the heater matrix - where is it located, any tips on changing them and how much would a replacement cost?

Also, anyone know any good scoob specialists in the Chester area?

Thanks in advance,

Doug

 

The heater matrix is located in the middle of the bulkhead buried behind the dash.

Garages will look to charge you around £600!!

I did mine myself. It's not too bad a job as long as you take your time. All in cost me about £90.

Ade

 

600 quid! Bloody hell I'll get my spanners out. Thanks for the info.

Is there nothing else that could cause this problem. The reason i ask is an initial brief inspection of the heater matrix revealed no signs of leaking.

Cheers

Doug

 

Any other thoughts?

 

you could disconnect the pipes at the bulkhead (under the intercooler) and connect one to where the other comes from or them together so you by pass the heater matrix.. should get no smell then..

if it only smells but no sign of a leak then it is has only just started leaking.

I have pictures someone from someone else doing it on my website

www.jollygreenmonster@fotopic.net under the heater matrix album.

 

Thanks for the advice JGM, link doesn't appear to work though.
Doug

 

If you have a leaking heatcore, this says it all:
http://gallery.imprezadriver.com/heatcore

The Subaru interior is built AROUND the heatcore, the entire dashboard has to be removed. Your garage will ruin you if you ask them to do it

 

sorry.. link corrected I think..

but hmhaga's link has lots more pictures..

I don;t think the task is particularly difficult just time consuming.

 

I have the matrix from a 96 wrx if you find that it is this.

Lots of luck with the stripping and refitting of the dash.

 

I had to do one in my 94 wagon. It's the last part of the dash to come out!! It's a B*&^%$d of a job, but just take your time and do it yourself, a garage would stick a saddle on you if you got them to do it...

Cheers
John