Just done a search and it sounds like this is my problem, can anyone confirm this ?? This is what happened :-

Started car in morning and noticed mist on windscreen above centre vent (windscreen one). Switched heater on and it got bloody worse and looked like I was driving a mobile sauna!!!!! Tried every possible permutation (spelling??) but no joy. Switched the aircon on in desperation and it blew a fine cloud of dust (?) into the cabin and I thought the bloody car was gunna go up in flames. Switched the heating system off and no further dust or smell, but every piece of glass misted up. Also it looked as if condensation had formed on the inside of the windscreen immediately above the air vent that appeared not to be working.....

ANy advice please


Cheers

Dirtboy (MY94)

 

have you switched your re-circ button off??

 

I have exactly the same thing in my MY98 - my favourite Scooby specialist confirmed the heater matrix has gone. The 'dust' you mention is actually water vapour, which leaks from the matrix and gets into the ventilation system - when you turn on the fan, it mists up your windows. Turning on the aircon full blast will clear it. You may also get a sweet smell, a bit like dry ice.

The bad news is, it needs the whole dash removing to replace the heater matrix, which will take time and money - my scooby specialists estimated 1-2 days, at least £500 !!!

Commiserations !

T

 

Heater Matrices are a nightmare to fit and replace......as mentioned it is a dashboard out job, and does take around 2 days....

As a customer you wouldn't want to be around as it looks like the cars guts have been spilled........

 

Bo*@+cks! Can this be by-passed so that the basic heating works without the aircon ??

 

I don't think its anything to do with the aircon - its the heater itself, although I could be wrong. Should be fine if you don't put the fan on which blows water vapour into the cabin. If it rains and you need to demist, stick the aircon on. I've been doing this for about a month now, and will live with it until I can get it fixed (£££ !), although it is a bit of a pain.

T

 

Cheers Tony, top man

 

Yes it can be bypassed. The two hoses that go into the passenger from the engine compartment thru the fire wall can be joined togther. This is an intercooler out job. I'd either do this (which i had to do) or get it replaced asap. I wouldn't run it with just the heater on cold.... the coolant still runs thru this either way. The leak will only get worse and you could end up ith a foot well full of coolant if it really lets go. Your choice tho.

Tony.