Failing Heater Matrix & soggy carpets...

[steveyd]

Hi all,

I've been suffering from a small loss of coolant since I got my Bongo 4 months ago. I have a Mason alarm now fitted, a LCA and 5 new pipes ready to fit this weekend but try as I might I could'nt find any pinhole leaks but I do have a very soggy drivers footwell carpet (I have cleared my drainage channel and no change). When I put my finger in this water it has that odd sticky feeling from the antifreeze, so after looking at other posts I guess I have a leaky heater matrix. It still blows warm/hot when requested.

Is it really that difficult to get hold of a new matrix for the Bongo? - does one from a 626, 323 or an Mx5 fit at all? I might blank the heater off and then see if I can get a good S/H matrix or my current one reconditioned. Anybody has this done? I'm sure I've read about classic car nuts getting their radiators recored for their 1901 Alvis rarity as this is the only way they are going to get a replacement! A matrix shouldnt be any different...??

cheers,

Steve

[mikeonb4c]

Hi all,

I've been suffering from a small loss of coolant since I got my Bongo 4 months ago. I have a Mason alarm now fitted, a LCA and 5 new pipes ready to fit this weekend but try as I might I could'nt find any pinhole leaks but I do have a very soggy drivers footwell carpet (I have cleared my drainage channel and no change). When I put my finger in this water it has that odd sticky feeling from the antifreeze, so after looking at other posts I guess I have a leaky heater matrix. It still blows warm/hot when requested.

Is it really that difficult to get hold of a new matrix for the Bongo? - does one from a 626, 323 or an Mx5 fit at all? I might blank the heater off and then see if I can get a good S/H matrix or my current one reconditioned. Anybody has this done? I'm sure I've read about classic car nuts getting their radiators recored for their 1901 Alvis rarity as this is the only way they are going to get a replacement! A matrix shouldnt be any different...??

cheers,

Steve

I don't have an answeer I'm afraid but will be v. interested to hear how you get on. I was wondering about this very problem the other day and thinking it shouldn't really matter whether you have a Bongo original as long as it is is possible to find something with equivalent properties (size, capacity etc.) that can be secured into the space available. With summer coming on, its the best time to bypass it ands remove it and use it as the template for seeking out other types that might fit.

For the rest, get one from a breakers I guess (ebygum 32 and tonic were breaking theirs on here - not sure if they still have heater matrix for sale). Also, might it just be the hose leaking and not the matrix?