Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: sophos9 on 21 July 2008, 17:28:45

Title: Strange Coolant Leak - Matrix?
Post by: sophos9 on 21 July 2008, 17:28:45

Hi,

I have a strange problem which looked like the gearbox leaking oil, after a taste of the liquid, the yummy judas candy is coolant.

Poking about, I can see coolant coming from what looks like a drain hose which sits above the gearbox (aircon drain hose??)

So this is the weird bit. When the car is running, coolant is dripping out of this hose, onto the gearbox.

When I put the climate control on, the coolant stops leaking?

No wet carpets or misting of windows and have noticed the coolant loss. Is this the dreaded matrix?

Can someone help diagnose please....  :'(

Title: Re: Strange Coolant Leak - Matrix?
Post by: markey mark on 21 July 2008, 18:39:44

that will more likely be your hbv bud  :y

Title: Re: Strange Coolant Leak - Matrix?
Post by: Dazzler on 21 July 2008, 19:14:06

Yep, sounds like the HBV, have a look in the maintenence section for where and how etc.... ;)

Title: Re: Strange Coolant Leak - Matrix?
Post by: sophos9 on 21 July 2008, 19:27:59

Seriously?

With the HBV was at the back of the engine block, how is the coolant getting to that drain hole?

Can you explain whats happening please?

HBV is an ass job is'nt it?

Thanks for your help

Title: Re: Strange Coolant Leak - Matrix?
Post by: sophos9 on 21 July 2008, 19:43:22

Yep, just read the how to and it describes the same problem as all the other HBV problems and thats coolant running down the back of the engine.

I do not have coolant coming from the back of the engine, the heater pipes around the HBV are no wet at all. The coolant is coming from the drain hose in the gear box tunnel which leads up inside the cabin to where the heater matrix lives.

Can someone explain please?  :'(

Title: Re: Strange Coolant Leak - Matrix?
Post by: sophos9 on 21 July 2008, 21:49:33

Shameless bump  :-[

Title: Re: Strange Coolant Leak - Matrix?
Post by: sophos9 on 22 July 2008, 09:34:07

Got some further info - pretty conclusive its the matrix.

Reason why it does not leak with AC's on is because the HBV is taking the flow away from the heater matrix thus stopping the leak.

So I'm guessing its either the horrible job of sorting the matrix or buying some rad weld.

Is the matrix replacement on a 1997 omego automatic a real mare of a job?

Thanks

Title: Re: Strange Coolant Leak - Matrix?
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 22 July 2008, 09:38:41

Sadly it sounds like it might be the matrix given its coming out of the condensate drain holes

Title: Re: Strange Coolant Leak - Matrix?
Post by: sophos9 on 22 July 2008, 09:53:28

Mark, Hi

Is this a pig of a job? Is it worth the rad weld trick?

Title: Re: Strange Coolant Leak - Matrix?
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 22 July 2008, 10:12:09

Quote

Mark, Hi

Is this a pig of a job? Is it worth the rad weld trick?

Easy to do if you dont mind cutting an inconspicuous bit of dash out otherwise its a dash out job.

I did this once many year ago (its not a common fault) and used a hacksaw blade to cut the trim from behind which left the viny cover in tact so the trim could be folded forward, the result is that once its folded back and secured with a bracket, you cant see its been touched.

Having said that, the bit you need to remove can only really be spotted if you go looking for it inthe footwell

Title: Re: Strange Coolant Leak - Matrix?
Post by: sophos9 on 22 July 2008, 10:25:49

Thanks for the reply.

Dont mind cutting it out, to be honest I have 3 alternatives, sell car, new matrix, try rad weld...

Can you help with a few questions please:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Where would I need to cut (driver/passenger side, is it the middle section that sits below the main dash but above the bits that cover the tunnel?)

Would you give rad weld a go?

Approx, how much is a new matrix?

Is it likely to get worse quickly (or how long is a piece of string)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks in advance

Title: Re: Strange Coolant Leak - Matrix?
Post by: sophos9 on 23 July 2008, 16:56:47

Can anyone help with the above questions please....  :D

Title: Re: Strange Coolant Leak - Matrix?
Post by: sophos9 on 19 August 2008, 11:07:03

Changed the matrix on the weekend, what a pig of a job! This is the worst job I've ever done on the car!

I trimmed back the vinyl covering from the dash then cut out a section of the PVC, removed matrix and replaced with new.

Did not drain the coolant first but did have a bowl which was amusing!

Anyway, loads of clearance problems - cut through a red wire which knocked out the sat nav, had to pull loads of bits around and thought I had mullered it...

Fitted new matrix, then slowly topped up the header tank until at cold level. Started car and ramped climate up to max on ECO mode, added more coolant. Went for a drive around, car up to temp. Parked, checked levels and most importantly checked the matrix - no leaks.

Got back, duck taped the PVC piece inplace, spray glued the vinyl.

You can hardly tell where I have done any work!

Fingers crossed its all good again....

Thanks for the help!