A4 b8 2011 leaking heater matrix

**usmanrrana82** · 16-06-2017,07:30 PM

Hello everyone. I recently purchased an audi A4 2011 pre facelift 1.8tfsi with 93k km on the clock. Soon I realised that the floor carpet on both front sides under the mats were wet with some kind of fluid. I wiped it with tissue and noticed that its pink so I thought about the coolant. I also noticed that when I turn on the heater it smells very funny almost like pickle and the heat level is very low even when running at max. Also the coolant level is dropping after everyday driving. I placed lots of tissue under the mats and realised that the fluid is coming from the top corner of the footwell where it meets with the bottom of center console on both sides.

Do I have a leaking heater matrix or could it be a leak in some connecting pipes? How difficult is it to replace the matrix on these models? Does it involve ripping out the dashboard or is it just done from the side panel next to the accelerator pedal? My car is a LHD

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**usmanrrana82** · 20-06-2017,10:34 AM

Does anyone know if the dashboard should be dismantled in order to replace the heater matrix or it can be done from the panel next to the pedals in the footwell. Thanks

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**Gunnark100** · 20-06-2017,12:03 PM

climate install.jpg

Maybe wrong, but looks like full dismantling is needed(a5 picture).

**turbozob** · 24-06-2017,11:03 PM

That picture of dash out is a nightmare.

**Gunnark100** · 25-06-2017,05:37 AM

Originally Posted by turbozob

That picture of dash out is a nightmare.

Yes it is:=)...it was 3 zone climate full retrofit on A5! Not something i would do:=)

**usmanrrana82** · 03-07-2017,12:03 AM

Ok so I took the car to my local vw specialist and he has confirmed that the dash needs to be pulled out for the heater core change. The price for a new heater core from my local Audi dealer is 400$. However I have sourced a used one from ebay uk for only £16. My car is a lhd I am not sure if this heater core from a rhd car will fit mine or not. Any ideas?

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**zollaf** · 03-07-2017,09:35 AM

so ok, a dash out job is like 2 days labour, and you are going to risk a used heater matrix ??? are you actually insane ?? at least buy a new one but not the genuine one. you should be able to get a reputable nissens one for not much more than a used one.

**usmanrrana82** · 03-07-2017,01:33 PM

Thanks Zollaf. I am currently based in Lebanon and I am unable to find an aftermarket heater matrix in the local market. The only source is Audi dealer who quoted $400 and that excludes the seal and clamp set. One good thing is however that my local Audi specialist has quoted $150 for this 2 day labour job which is reasonable I think. The used heater matrix I have purchased is in very good shape and I will also get it pressure tested before having it fitted.

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**zollaf** · 03-07-2017,02:09 PM

150 dollars for 2 days labour... thats cheap..

**usmanrrana82** · 03-07-2017,02:25 PM

Yes its very reasonable so its worth taking the chance with the used one. If it works then its a job done under $200 which is nothing for this sort of thing. The only problem is that this rhd version has the pipe connections on the right side while the lhd ones have them on the left but the matrix looks reversible to me so it might fit in place. I am unable to find the Audi part numbers anywhere to check for the confirmation

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