T4 2.5 TDI 1999, loosing water/coolant

[dickums]

Hi, the engine started loosing coolant. No noticeable leak or anything. There is no smoke from exhaust. It looks like its loosing the water/coolant through heating system. Windscreen steams up while driving and smell through heater from engine compartment. Problem seems to get worse. Now I have to replace water every 20 miles. Can anybody give me an idea what is wrong? Thanks! dickums

[Alan02]

Heater Matrix leaking.

[dickums]

I brought the van to the local garage this morning and they confirmed that the heater matrix is leaking. Is it a big job to change it. They could not tell me.

[Alan02]

Sorry, not done one on this model, only T5 and they are ok to do, no dash out on them.

[dickums]

Can I disconnect the two hoses to the heater matrix and bridge them temporarily to stop the leakage and then replace the heater matrix? Thanks. dickums

[Alan02]

Yes you can. And turn the heat control to `cold` also, the coolant will then recirculate as the valve is closed.

[dickums]

Thanks for help Alan. After a job was cancelled this afternoon I decided to become a mechanic. And rather then just taking out the two hoses and bridging them which could end up me driving around like this till next winter came I decided to try and take out the ´leaker´at the same time. Boy did it challenge me (got a helping hand from my local farmer/landlord.. puuh). Now I have a very roomy passenger foot compartment after taking out almost entire heating/ventilation system. Started with pollen filter ended with heater matrix but luckily not the dash. A few hidden screws if nobody tells you and/or you have no handbook. Good it did not require any special tools but took out the the turbo (?) cooler on top of engine in order to get to the clips holding hoses onto the heater. Wish me luck that I get it all together again. Cheers. Dickums