260e 124 series heater rad leaking

[emimec]

I think my worst nightmare is happening, the heater matrix is leaking. There is a smell of radiator water in the car, windscreen mists up, and gurgling and wheezing sounds behind the dash, on top of this, water dripping under the car by the gearbox for some strange reason. No water inside car though. Has anyone any idea how to get the heater rad out? or how to remove the dash?
Thanks
Bob

 

[ADY1983]

Hi Bob,
You really don't want to be taking the dash out unless you really have too, the water dripping under the car by the gearbox is the gutters from the engine bay I would think. I would try some RAD stop leak stuff first as it works on the matrix aswell...

 

[emimec]

Thanks for the reply. Are you saying it may not be the heater matrix? I looked all around the engine and couldnt see anything dripping?

 

[Ian B Walker]

All the symptoms of a blown heater matrix. Poor you . Try the radiator repair fluid first as taking out the dash is not for the faint hearted. Lots of hours and lots of wires that have to go back in the right place first time, especially if you have air bags.

 

[emimec]

How much would it cost to have the heater matrix replaced by an experienced mechanic?
If the dash has to come out, where do you start? or is it only the upper dash

 

[ADY1983]

Well Ian is the guy to ask about having it replaced by an experienced mechanic... If you look at my Engine post on page 1 there is a pic with the Dash removed and I can't remember where I started

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=29814

 

[bolide]

Taking a dash out is a big job but (as I like to say) it's not rocket science. Basically you remove it bit-by-bit and then replace it in the reverse order

I think the important question is whether you need to take the whole heater unit out to get at the matrix. If you do it's be a big job as the heater is mahoosive & very complex

I'd give Chris a call at Mercman to ask about a replacement matrix and ask him about removal while you're at it

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[grober]

I posted this link in the favorites section some time ago. Its actually about replacing the heater vacuum actuators but will give you an good idea whats entailed in dismantling the dash. As Ian says --NOT FOR THE FAINT HEARTED! You could simply do a heater bypass with suitable hose temporarily but no heater of course. http://photos.orange.co.uk/shared/browse.html?c_album=1259925

 

[Ultymate]

Is the problem car actually losing coolant, I'm just thinking it could be a blocked rainwater drain under the bonnet ie right behind the heater. If it was a significant matrix leak you'd be constantly topping up your coolant and probably have overheating issues as well, make sure of your diagnosis first before taking out the dash it's a hell of a lot of work.

P.S. Also can't understand why you hav'nt got wet carpets

 

[andy_k]

Also can't understand why you hav'nt got wet carpets

Maybe he hasn't lifted the carpets up. There is so much padding and space below the carpets in a W124 footwell that he could have a couple of litres of water in there before the carpets were wet

Andy

 

[emimec]

Thanks all. I hav'nt had the carpets up yet, but they feel dry on the surface.
I get gurgling and whezzing sounds in the car coming from behind the front air vents to the left, and the smell of radiator water in the car, plus the screen is a bit misty.
I am losing water, temperature has raised to just over its normal of 80c.
If I top up with water, the dripping under the car is continual until the water drops by a couple of pints, then it seems to stop.
I will try and get the car up on a lift and see if the dripping can be seen behind the engine, or where ever else its coming from.
If I go for the option of radiator sealer, are there any recommendations, or should I just go for radweld?
Bob