Damn Thing!

[stevieyid]

Once again when i aa saving for my brake upgrade this happens. Had the car on air con all day without any problems. Had it on the rec mode most of the time. Just took my girlfriend to a party and i start to smell coolant. Looked at the temp gauge and it was fine just below 90. Then steam starts coming through the middel vents. I turned the air con off but every now and then i would get a cloud of steam come out the vents and a smell of coolant. I done a search and it looks as though the heater matrix is the culprit what do u think? Also the passenger footwell is wet another reason to make me believe its the heater matrix. Anybody had this replaced what sort of cost am i looking at?

[audiman]

Yeah sounds like the heater matrix has gone. ******, thats not an easy/cheap job to do. To slow it down until you can get it done, try some rad weld and just keep an eye on the coolant level.

[stevieyid]

cheap job good bit skint at the mo. Is the s2 heater matrix the same as all the other coupes? Are they easy to get from a breakers? any reccomendations on a breakers to try? Just tried some rad weld so that should help a little. I could bypass it for the time being would this be dangerous?

[stevieyid]

just re-read your post audiman. It is a hard job and quite expensive ****** could do without that. im might try myself there is some good instructions on a thread on here

[stevieyid]

just had a look on ebay would this fit http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...sPageName=WDVW. Does the s2 share the same heater matrix as any other audi? thanks for your help

[audiman]

Being such a huge major job, i wouldnt waste your money on a 2nd hand matrix, they are just as likely to pop as yours has!! GSF or ECP would be able to supply a GOOD quality one. DONT buy a nissens one!! As if its anything like the radiators then you will be pulling it all out again.

Just as a quide, a brand new genuine matrix is P/N 894 819 031A at about 97+vat retail. Get your dealer or vagparts to double check that number before you order!!

Also bear in mind you will need to possibly de gas the AC system to remove the heaterbox if needed. Im not sure on a RHD car is that is needed, as I have never done one.

[stevieyid]

at the moment though im am a bit tight for money at the mo especially after having my remapp done. Do s2's share the heater matrix with any other model?

[audiman]

Yes, its the same for all 5 cyl. Coupes and Avants AFAIK.

You could bypass the matrix for now, until you have saved up, it wont do any harm, just link the 2 hoses together and then it wont leak.

[porkkis]

And many other models like A4 aswell. It's very common.

[stevieyid]

so there is plenty out there then. I think i might bypass it for now especially as there is no need for the heater at the moment. Theni think ill get a brand new one and get it done thanks for your help guys very much appreciated. Just one thing any breakers of audis that are ok u no of? might find out a cost just out of interest cheers

[rotoryboy]

Read this Karlos had a similar problem and turned out to be an easy job (not matrix)

HTH

[audiman]

Karlos's didnt smell of coolant tho. Its a very noticable smell, a bit like a curry type smell.

[stevieyid]

it does smell of coolant. i had the heater matrix go in one of my old cars very similar smell. also when i divert the air down to the footwell on cols it does not do much but when u put it on heat water starts coming out so i am 99% sure its the matrix. if i find a relatively new a4 at a breakers would the heater matrix from that fit my s2?

[audiman]

Dunno, A4 has a dfferent part number to the 80. Starts 8A0 and not 894, not sure what that means

[stevieyid]

Hi could someone give me a detailed description of how to bypass the heater matrix. I am a novice so could it be quite detailed possibly pics thanks. Also would this heater matrix fit my s2 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...sPageName=WDVW.
Thaks for your help.