Nothing but cold air....FIXED!!

[Jim 1]

Congrats :)

[dbug 0]

:wink: :cheers: :wink:

 

made up for you - its great having heat aint it.

 

just watch the coolant level for the next couple of runs try to get her warm enough for the fan to kick in or at least to 90 on the temp guage, let it go cold overnight and check in the morning. mine took two fills to level her off.

 

keep yer fingers crossed the matrix is good and all ends well. :wave:

[veedub16v 0]

you know the valve is there to stop a pressure buildup in the matrix, which has been known to make them explode hot water all over the occupants?

 

if you aren't changing the matrix i suggest you buy a working bypass valve!

[colinstubbs 0]

Last I heard the by-pass valves are now obsolete (usual story :roll: ) but worth checking, they assume everyone will have the newer mk3 matrix now i guess.

[veedub16v 0]

or wet feet :lol:

[davidwort 0]

you know the valve is there to stop a pressure buildup in the matrix, which has been known to make them explode hot water all over the occupants?

 

if you aren't changing the matrix i suggest you buy a working bypass valve!

 

yeah, but it doesn't happen like that does it, my dad worked for about 15 years at a VAG franchise in the 80's and 90's and they never had one go like that.

It was identified as a 'safety issue' due to the potential to leak hot water into the cabin so had to be done as a recall, reality is if you keep your cooling system in good order, e.g. use deionised water and proper coolant additive, changed every few years, the matrixes last a long-long time. Even the ones that do leak usually just steam up the windows, the matrix is inside a plastic housing in the centre of the dash, they're not over you or you pasengers feet anyway.

[veedub16v 0]

it has happened quite a few times mate. i know of a couple exploding in golfs over on another forum i use, but most of the time they just leak

 

your right they do last a long time, but these cars are old! its not a risk i want to take tbh for a fairly simple fix. its either change the matrix or wait for it to leak, strip the interior, dry it out and then have to change the matrix anyway!

 

you are probably right about srvicing the cooling system properly, but how are you to know how he previous owner serviced it? most people on here have owned the car for what, an 1/8th of its life?

[davidwort 0]

they can only pressurise if they get blocked, and they'll only get blocked if you allow crap to circulate in the system

If they corrode they will leak, yes, but they'll do that with or without a by-pass valve.

[dragon green 4]

Mine never had the valve fitted ! I only changed the matrix after 17 years as it wasnt getting as warm as it used too.

Personally i wouldnt bother with it ! Its only something else to go wrong !

Glad its fixed,

[skinnyman9000 0]

Sooooooo, im just going to leave the matrix in there and replace it if/when it dies. Ive just given the system a considerable clearout whilst sorting this, so im sure it'll be fine for quite a while.

 

Cheers for the heads up though, i'll keep an eye on it all

[colinstubbs 0]

I only changed the matrix after 17 years as it wasnt getting as warm as it used too.

 

I had to change mine at the 17 year period because the air-side of the matrix was blocked with fluff and dust!! Couldn't unblock it so changed the matrix - it was the original too!! Wished I'd done it at least a couple of years sooner to be honest :lol: :lol:

[davidwort 0]

Sooooooo, im just going to leave the matrix in there and replace it if/when it dies. Ive just given the system a considerable clearout whilst sorting this, so im sure it'll be fine for quite a while.

 

Cheers for the heads up though, i'll keep an eye on it all

 

I took the relief valves off mine when I fitted some silicon hosing, no problems so far and the matrix is 20 years old, have maintained the car since '96 though.

I won't go running to VW if it does blow and burn my feet off though :lol: