Heater Issue

[sir john]

forgot to mention that, when the car is warmed up, there is a smell akin to an Indian takeaway

sounds like they used Mild curry powder in stead of Hot madras curry powder when they refilled the coolant.

[Ruud]

forgot to mention that, when the car is warmed up, there is a smell akin to an Indian takeaway

sounds like they used Mild curry powder in stead of Hot madras curry powder when they refilled the coolant.

lol :)

#I've read that someone with an Lexus RX...something... had the same issues as me and also had this lovely smell

[plastic orange]

Curry smell is the heater matrix on the way out.Or at least on my Saab it was - they are notorious for it.

Pete

[Ruud]

Curry smell is the heater matrix on the way out.Or at least on my Saab it was - they are notorious for it.

Pete

Thanks Pete.

Where is the heater matrix located?

[SteveLS400]

Curry smell is the heater matrix on the way out.Or at least on my Saab it was - they are notorious for it.

Pete

As was my first 800. Its the antifreeze.

[SteveLS400]

Curry smell is the heater matrix on the way out.Or at least on my Saab it was - they are notorious for it.

Pete

Thanks Pete.

Where is the heater matrix located?

Between the radio and the bulkhead.

[Ruud]

Curry smell is the heater matrix on the way out.Or at least on my Saab it was - they are notorious for it.

Pete

Thanks Pete.

Where is the heater matrix located?

Between the radio and the bulkhead.

This is it?

If I smell coolant, it should be leaking, right?

[plastic orange]

Not necessarily. My Saab had the smell(varied from none to strong) for several years without losing a drop. I did keep waiting for it to go, but thankfully it never did as it is not the best of jobs.

Matrix shouldn't be too expensive - depends on how difficult it is to change.

Pete

[Ruud]

Not necessarily. My Saab had the smell(varied from none to strong) for several years without losing a drop. I did keep waiting for it to go, but thankfully it never did as it is not the best of jobs.

Matrix shouldn't be too expensive - depends on how difficult it is to change.

Pete

Did your Saab also have luke warm air coming from the vents?

[plastic orange]

No, it had a really good heater.

Pete

[Ruud]

No, it had a really good heater.

Pete

hmmm

I've looked at symptoms of a knackered heater core. Sofar I have 2: 1 less heat, and 2: the curry smell.

It does not appear to be clogged though, cause both hoses (inlet and return) at the heater valve on the bulk head are hot. It also does not seem to be leaking.

What else can go wrong with the heater core to stop the heating from functioning properly?

[Ruud]

back flushed the matrix today (garden hose on the return pipe and inlet hose disconnected)

Firts flow was nice pink coolant, then a white foam-ish stuff, then clear water. Let it run for a while.

The heat has definately improved. It doesn't get toasty hot but warm instead of luke warm.

[sir john]

Ruud.. I havent had this problem but it can only one of a few things.

1 The engine isnt coming up to temp.

2 The hot water isnt flowing into the matrix in enough volume.

3 The matrix is partially blocked/respricting flow.

4 The air from the blower is being prevented from flowing through the matrix. Id still expect the air flow to be hot though, if a little low on volume.

You have flushed the matrix. Im guessing the engine is reaching temp or you would have spotted that. And you say the air is only warm so not point 4.

I think there isnt enough hot water getting into the matrix. Either because its mixed with air or there is an obstruction in the cooling system.

Im wondering if some cr*p has been disturbed when the system was flushed and refilled last time. It can happen. I had a Fiat Pannarama years back with a fist sized hole rusted straight through the radiator. It didnt leak a drop, just sealed it self up with rust as is went. There most have been load of rust floating around in the system.

[Ruud]

Ruud.. I havent had this problem but it can only one of a few things.

1 The engine isnt coming up to temp.

2 The hot water isnt flowing into the matrix in enough volume.

3 The matrix is partially blocked/respricting flow.

4 The air from the blower is being prevented from flowing through the matrix. Id still expect the air flow to be hot though, if a little low on volume.

You have flushed the matrix. Im guessing the engine is reaching temp or you would have spotted that. And you say the air is only warm so not point 4.

I think there isnt enough hot water getting into the matrix. Either because its mixed with air or there is an obstruction in the cooling system.

Im wondering if some cr*p has been disturbed when the system was flushed and refilled last time. It can happen. I had a Fiat Pannarama years back with a fist sized hole rusted straight through the radiator. It didnt leak a drop, just sealed it self up with rust as is went. There most have been load of rust floating around in the system.

The temp needle, when warmed up is sitting just under half.

I've bought a bottle of rad cleaner today and will poor that tomorrow into the matrix along with a kettle of boiling water. (weather permitting)

[sir john]

My Temp needle is always bob on 3 o`clock.

I live 1 mile down a farm track. It takes about 8 minutes to trundle down at about 7 mph. Its nearly up to temp when i get to the road. Yours should be up to temp in about 5 minutes.

[Ruud]

My Temp needle is always bob on 3 o`clock.

I live 1 mile down a farm track. It takes about 8 minutes to trundle down at about 7 mph. Its nearly up to temp when i get to the road. Yours should be up to temp in about 5 minutes.

Yep, around 5 minutes and the needle is at 16 to 12 and stays there

[SteveLS400]

My Temp needle is always bob on 3 o`clock.

I live 1 mile down a farm track. It takes about 8 minutes to trundle down at about 7 mph. Its nearly up to temp when i get to the road. Yours should be up to temp in about 5 minutes.

Yep, around 5 minutes and the needle is at 16 to 12 and stays there

Wish mine did

Mind today I have remade the joint for the 3rd time to the 4th sender. Hope that works when tested tomorrow.

[Swindon Andy]

Feel the temperatures of the hoses going into and out of the matrix - from within the engine bay. That may give an indication of flow.

If the matrix is leaking (hope not) you should also get a lot of condensation inside the car, on the screen, that is difficult to clear.

[Ruud]

Feel the temperatures of the hoses going into and out of the matrix - from within the engine bay. That may give an indication of flow.

If the matrix is leaking (hope not) you should also get a lot of condensation inside the car, on the screen, that is difficult to clear.

That was the first thing I checked and I have also flushed the matrix. Good flow and condensation on windows at all.

[Ruud]

the guy in the link has the exact same issue.

I'm not entirely sure what he means with vapor trap though...

http://www.lextreme.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9020

and Steve2006? I did use the A/C cleaner per your advice, but the smell is back as soon as the car heats up

[Ruud]

the guy in the link has the exact same issue.

I'm not entirely sure what he means with vapor trap though...

http://www.lextreme....read.php?t=9020

and Steve2006? I did use the A/C cleaner per your advice, but the smell is back as soon as the car heats up

One thing I forgot to mention:

The air from the vents gets colder when driving.

[Mybikesacx500]

Vapour trap, that would just be an air lock in Scottish, which ties in with it hapenning after a sytem flush- drain it all down and start again??

the guy in the link has the exact same issue.

I'm not entirely sure what he means with vapor trap though...

http://www.lextreme....read.php?t=9020

and Steve2006? I did use the A/C cleaner per your advice, but the smell is back as soon as the car heats up

One thing I forgot to mention:

The air from the vents gets colder when driving.

[Ruud]

Vapour trap, that would just be an air lock in Scottish, which ties in with it hapenning after a sytem flush- drain it all down and start again??

the guy in the link has the exact same issue.

I'm not entirely sure what he means with vapor trap though...

http://www.lextreme....read.php?t=9020

and Steve2006? I did use the A/C cleaner per your advice, but the smell is back as soon as the car heats up

One thing I forgot to mention:

The air from the vents gets colder when driving.

I think I have to.

I'll buy 10 liters of pink premixed antifreeze, drain and refill and take it from there

[SteveLS400]

One thing I forgot to mention:

The air from the vents gets colder when driving.

The a/c condensor gets air flow when driving and makes the air colder.

[SteveLS400]

I think I have to.

I'll buy 10 liters of pink premixed antifreeze, drain and refill and take it from there

Make sure you stick exactly to the correct fill procedure, especially the revving and topping up.