Mist from vents and wet feet

[RayTVR]

My car has been blowing steam/fog when I use the heater and today I noticed a drip of coolant on my feet when I reversed it out.

I'm guessing this means the heater matrix is on the way out, so some questions;

Does this sound like the right diagnosis?

Are they available anywhere or is it remove and repair?

How much is it going to hurt taking the dash out?

[phillpot]

RayTVR said:

Does this sound like the right diagnosis?

Yep, stands a good chance I reckon. If it was just a hose you wouldn't get mist out the vents

RayTVR said:

Are they available anywhere or is it remove and repair?

Repair by any reputable "Radiator repair shop"

RayTVR said:

How much is it going to hurt taking the dash out?

Oh lots!

[RayTVR]

Thought so - Job for the winter then...

[GreenV8S]

Could just short circuit the heater loop until then.

[phillpot]

Magic stuff ....... Ce-Lit

[GreenV8S]

Is that one of those products similar to Radweld which you put in the cooling system to clog up the radiator and water passages?

[RayTVR]

GreenV8S said:

Could just short circuit the heater loop until then.

Yes - thought about that. Presumably a hose from where the heater valve is to the bottom of the engine where the heater return ends up would do it?

[phillpot]

GreenV8S said:

Is that one of those products similar to Radweld which you put in the cooling system to clog up the radiator and water passages?

No, that must be something else? This just seals leaks.


It works, as I believe similar products do, by reacting with air to seal small leaks. Contrary to popular misconception and folk lore it is not capable of blocking radiators or waterways

Been using it for years in my Taimar to sort a very slight leak on the radiator, and popped a packet in the S "for insurance" . Amazingly neither have boiled up or blown up!

[RayTVR]

RayTVR said:

Are they available anywhere or is it remove and repair?

Just noticed they are listed (two types) on the TVR-parts site. Although I think I'll wait until its in bits before trying to order one.

[phillpot]

Tricky with no images ..... £50 sounds reasonable, £30 is a bargain!

[mentall]

How's the removal going?

Removed and replaced mine (S3) recently. It's a dog of a job, but doable.

[RayTVR]

mentall said:

How's the removal going?

Removed and replaced mine (S3) recently. It's a dog of a job, but doable.

Haven't started it yet. Considering just bypassing the heater for now and tackling it over the winter. It's one of those jobs, if I start now it may be some while before its back together?

[mentall]

RayTVR said:

It's one of those jobs, if I start now it may be some while before its back together?

Yup, it's one of those jobs.

Consider sorting out any problems such as tired wiper motor, missing or faint warning lights, dodgy connections etc etc while you're in there. I wish I had! And make lots of notes and take photos on disassembly of the dash electrics.

I did use the opportunity to re-cover the dash panels, though (only vinyl), and to move the stupid accessory socket out of my left knee joint. And wire-up the nonfunctional MIL light as an oil-pressure warning. And I fitted a new gaiter and Kitchski's quickshift while the console was off: the best mod ever.

Happy to talk when you're under way; finding and removing all the dash-top fixings is one of the worst parts, but what foxed me for a week was actually getting the top to move.

As to using a sealant temporarily: I've never tried on a TVR/Ford, but used Radweld and similar for years on equally unsophisticated engines without clogging anything up. Probably worth a thorough flushing afterwards, though.

Good luck!