R32 Steaming Vents

[Dai Capp]

Hello

I had a bit of a problem with steam coming through the air vents as soon as I turned the heat up on the dual climate control and I thought it was just some damp in the system or a blocked air con pipe.

However, last night I had the coolant light come on so I ckecked and it was about 1cm below the minimum mark. I topped it up and checked for obvious leaks and couldn't see any but after a bit of digging around it seems that though the two could be linked and it could be something to do with the heater matrix. The coolant dropped a little again today but not a massive amount and the engine was still warm when I topped up last night.

Anyone come across this and also I understand this is a stinker of a job so what sort of price would I be looking at from an indie to get it sorted...

It's a Mk5 by the way if that helps

Thanks for any help and advice...

Cheers

DC

[Defcon5]

Thats a pain - when they build a car they pretty much start with the heater martix and build the car around it!

Are you sure its that at fault - I would imagine you would be able to smell the coolant

[Dai Capp]

Hi

Not sure if it is the matrix - the steam does smell but not of coolant. Any idea what else it might be - you're about right with the matrix, I think it's a dash out job!

DC

[cuprabob]

maybe not linked but I've just had my engine replaced under warranty on my MKV R32 due to a porous block.

Recently I was loosing coolant and that was found to be the problem. I was informaed that there is a technical bulletin about this.

Hope that's not your problem but going by the steam from the vents I would also guess a heater matrix.

[Defcon5]

What does it smell of? Hopefully not exhaust gases!

[Dai Capp]

Defcon5 said:

What does it smell of? Hopefully not exhaust gases!

- that was my first worry! No, it's kind of an unpleasant cross between sweaty socks and cheap curry.

Just been on a 45 minute run with the heater on Hi and the fans full blast with the windows down and it's improved it quite a bit. Just get a puff of steam but the smell is still there. I'm off to check the coolant level when the engine has cooled off.

Seriously hope it's not the block - it's out of warranty!

DC

[cuprabob]

Mine was one day shy of being 4yrs old and in the last day of extended warranty. VW paid 50% and the warranty company paid 50%. Thankfully they replaced the complete engine and not just the block. I had mixed emotions at the time as up until then I had covered 68k trouble free miles without even having to top anything other than washer fluid between services. Just hope the new engines is as good.

I never had any issues with steam coming out of the vents, just loosing a small amount of coolant every week. As I said it turned out to be a pin hole in the block.