Radweld for a heater matrix bodge?

[R9UKE]

Well the Avantime has added yet another item on to it's to do list.

 

The passenger footwell is a bit damp. I noticed it before and thought nothing of it as it was a wet day and I had a passenger, but I felt it today and although it hasn't got much more damp, the fluid left a bit of an antifreeze smell and feel on my hands

 

It would seem the passsenger side heater matrix has a very slight leak. Now, in usual Renault fashion, and well in keeping with the whole design of the Avantime, the heater matrix is a BITCH of a job. A few guys have paid £650 to have it done. I have other priorities (gigantic oil leak, rear wheel bearing) to sort first so I was thinking of investing in a bottle of Radweld. Has anyone used this for a heater matrix repair before? Is it likely to work?

[ashmicro]

I'd use K Seal mate. It's a bit more expensive, but seems to work on all manner of cooling system maladies.

[Shep Shepherd]

What he said. Seriously good stuff and readily available from most good independent motor factors

[R9UKE]

Brilliant, much appreciated!

[Renault18]

+1 K Seal is excellent stuff. Sorted a leaking matrix on a Megane ages ago and it's never given any bother.

[dollywobbler]

One thing I really like about the Rover 75 is that removing the heater matrixes is really easy. Why have the French not learnt to do this?! I'm sure it's the first thing that's ever fitted to a French car's bodyshell.

[retrogeezer]

Ce-Lit is really good as well, a quid for a small packet in most independent type auto factors.

 

[jonny69]

Wynns Rad Repair works well too. Plugged some big leaks in my Pop radiator. Bars Leaks worked well on my Anglia heater as well.

[R9UKE]

Brilliant, that's great to hear, I'd never heard of the stuff before. Was it a bit sceptical about these things mending the matrix and was dreading another huge bill.... very happy now

 

I'm sure it's the first thing that's ever fitted to a French car's bodyshell.

 

Tell me about it. I remember hearing horror stories of the Renault Safrane. Just don't buy it if the matrix is fecked, the whole car needs dismantled to change it! It's the same with a load of things on French cars, I'm well used to it. Changing the dash bulbs was an absolute joke. This was the half way point:

 

[Shep Shepherd]

Ce-Lit is really good as well, a quid for a small packet in most independent type auto factors.

 

 

We've got some of that in the cupboard at work for some reason

[Guest]

Just a cautionary word, I used some of this type stuff on a Nova a few years ago, afterwards I worked out the expansion bottle where it was added, ran straight to the heater matrixm hence it blocked it solid.

Cock.

Well s'pose least it'll stop yours leaking.

So in essence make sure it runs round the system and dissipates a bit before it gets to the matrix ie if need be add the goo some where away from the flow to the matrix.