Leak!

TiddlesRX7 · August 03, 2009, 12:42:20 PM

When I had some welding done on my car in December I removed the carpet out of the car. The passengerside footwell was soaking in water which I thought had come through from the windowscreen seal. I sorted the window seal out with a bit of sealant. Anyway when I was trying my PFC in the car yesterday I lifted the carpet to find it was soaking again. Now the only thing that looks like it as had a drip running down it is from the centre of the car behind the radio. The rubber mat that sits ontop of the carpet was bone dry so its not coming in from above that. I did notice that the liquid has a blue colour to it (maybe antifreeze). So im thinking it could be the heater matrix. Can anyone shed some light on this at all. Is this something that has happened to others?, is the heater matrix easy enough to get in and out?, where about under the dash is it located?

cheers
Ade

grinder · August 03, 2009, 01:17:19 PM

sounds like the matrix to be honest

have a read on rx7club.com - im sure there is a write up on there about it - didnt sound like a job i would want to do though

FlikstRR · August 03, 2009, 09:21:34 PM

aaah dude.. trust me.. even getting it to budge is an arse... i removed the 3 securing nuts.. hoping alot of it would lift away so i could get to the pipework/radiator thingy... nope.. not a chance.

you will have to disconnect the hose at the back of the engine i recon.. but thats without looking at the guide, just from observation etc.

TiddlesRX7 · August 03, 2009, 09:25:17 PM

Is it a dash out job then?

grinder · August 04, 2009, 10:30:50 AM

it COULD be

Prof · August 04, 2009, 10:44:50 AM

I reckon heater matrix too - does it smell \'sweet\' in the car ?

It is usually possible to get the matrixes out without taking the dash off, but it\'s not a quick job.

You could just bypass the heater hoses so that you can still drive the car around whilst you get parts ordered etc.

TiddlesRX7 · August 04, 2009, 10:52:30 AM

Well I am hopeing to take the matrix off my spare car. It just means I have to do the job twice as such

Think i\'ll Pete a PM he\'s bound to have had one or two out in the past!

TiddlesRX7 · August 22, 2009, 03:25:44 PM

Just had a look at getting the dash out. Frickin thing may as well be welded in! I cant even find the main nuts,bolts or whatever it is holding it in. More searching for an idiots guide to dash removal needed. Think I may end up bypassing the matrix for now.

monterx7 · August 22, 2009, 05:57:56 PM

its a very interesting job to get the dash out...alot of bolts and wire harnesses to disconnect. i did it to change out my heater core/matrix, and after taking it out i honestly dont see how you can do it with the dash in. if someone has done it please post how.

pdtaylor18 · August 22, 2009, 06:13:03 PM

Not a chance!!! the dash has to come out and it can be removed in about 2 hours (thats if you know where everything is.) I have done about 3 now and a shame you were not closer as I would have done it. For now just bypass the matrix from within the engine bay, just join the two pipes that are at the back of the engine and go into the bulkhead.

see attachment for bolt locations.

TiddlesRX7 · August 22, 2009, 10:23:17 PM

Cheers Pete, or should I say Super Pete! as that is what folk on here are gonna start refuring to you as soon. Think I will by pass it for now untill I have more time to sort it.

Pete I may need to purchase your spare Heater matrix at some point if you still have it. My spare car is going to the scrappy in the next week or so and I wont have time to get the HM out of it.

pdtaylor18 · August 22, 2009, 11:23:09 PM

You can have the matrix for nothing mate, just send the postage which will be about Â£10 using Interparcel. Just let me know. The important thing about the dash is uncovering all the bolts. If I can get my head round it I will do a step by step guide,wish i had done that with pics when i did the last one.

TiddlesRX7 · August 22, 2009, 11:42:27 PM

That would be awesome. Cheers Pete. I had a read of the Haynes manual today and it seems like its about 10-12 screws or bolts holding it in. Its just all the rea=st of thestuff located in the dash that has to come out also. One thing I will say now though, I bet it comes out easier than it goes back in. It always is with these things.
I\'ll pop you a tenner in your paypal later in the week then Pete if that is ok. I\'ll mark it as a gift and PM you when I have done so. I\'m not in a major rush for it so don\'t put yourself out wrapping it up just yet.

Grizzly · August 23, 2009, 12:47:28 AM

I had a similar problem a while back with a T2 and an FD, mine was the Rubber grommet that the Engine loom goes through. The T2 one had a big split in where it had perished over time but the FD one simply wasn\'t in properly.

Its usually quite obvious if the matrix has gone, as suggested you will smell anti freeze on the carpets but you will find the water coolant levels will drop.

TiddlesRX7 · August 23, 2009, 10:49:22 AM

Just the man. I read your posts on this on RX7Club Grizzly. So yours was the actual grommet thet was causing the leak? How do you mean? Had it let the pipe rub on the bulk head or something? I have noticed on mine that there is a water stain from the gromet running down the bulk head (engine side).

Leak!

FlikstRR