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[joff]

Have the mig on the drive now and the de-humid is in to dry out the carpets. Have the o'rings on order and will be here wednesday. I will have a look at the pipes by the seals this afternoon when the inside has got a bit dryer. looks like the leak has stoped with the rad weld so would think that it is the seal, any ideas welcome. :-?

p.s. both pipes are hot and heater works just get a lot of mist on the windows. Brother said itr takes longer to warm up now. Garage said they think that there was steam coming from the heater by-pass valve, but I can see no signs of leaks around the valve. as it can be seen on the DTI as it's at the front of the engine on the right low down.

[joff]

How do the pipes connect to the matrix? the o seal must clamp sum how to compress it. will I need a new clamp  :question

[Abiton]

Have a look at this piccy from the 'cheat method' how-to thread:



Where the alloy pipes meet the matrix plastickery, there's a metal clamp-piece between the two alloy pipes with a single central screw that pulls the two pipes by their flared bits, towards the necessary bit of the matrix, squishishing the o-rings as it's tightened.

[joff]

Thanks Abiton. I saw that after I had posted when I was going back over everthing. Will have to order new pipe I think to go with the seal as it looks more and more like this could be the problem, still will find out soon when i get to the job this week.

[joff]

I've got a day off at last so  i'm going to start on the leak. I have now got two new matrix pipes and o' seals. I had a look at the pre facelift Haynes manual last night at the remval of the dash just incase it is the matrix, looks like it could be a long day today, will post later with an update. Thanks for all the advice.

[dad1uk]

Good luck    - let us know how you get on, because I think I've the same problem.

[joff]

Job's done well I can't see anymore leaks at the moment. Not to bad a job just wish I was younger. Fuse box cover off, remove cover above pedals, remove vent box, carpet down a bit and you can see the matrix and torx screw. I could see that there had been a leak as there was still a drop off water on the bottom pipe(return pipe). I removed the pipe's after removing the torx screw and clamp, I pulled them from the engine bay side a little as they were home fast in the matrix and there is not a lot of room under there. New pipes in and o'seals. Had a job trying to do up the torx screw but with the aid of an allen key it is now nice and tight. 50/50 mix back in the system and let the engine warm up check for leaks with heater on full, all ok so all bits back in. about 3 hours tops. Thanks for all the help. new pipes and seals not on trade club but they gave me about 10% off. I just hope that is the end of it.

[4434MD]

Well lads, what can I say,  little brother Joff has done me proud,Besides cureing the leak and drying out the footwell with a small de-humidifier it seems you don't have to believe what the garages say and go for the megabucks options......
i think the most useful requirements here are, besides the patience and experiance of others when diagnosing the faults, you also need youth or dexterity, patience ( if not, walkaway for a mo b4 the patience goes) and the experiances of others, which thankfully happened here. I am greatful to the many that offered input, and very happy with the result !!
(All in all a great deal less than the 10+ hrs and £650-£700
quoted by the local non Vaux  Garage !!!! don't think our bill got much above £50 and that included new anti-freeze !! )

Martin D  ( 4434MD )

[dad1uk]

Well done! A good job done and saved gettting stuffed by a garage which is always a bonus.

[Olympia5776]

I was following this thread , well done 
 There's nothing nicer than doing a successful job at a fraction of the quote by garage.