Huh, Cars :-(

[D-Rider]

what car is it?

Fiat Punto MKII

No heater matrix in Motoquip ... and none available from their supplier .... rethink .... let's try a can of Radweld .... and hope ....

Opening a can of worms more like.. Had more trouble with that stuff that it's solved.

I must admit that in the past I've had good experiences of Radweld and Bars Leaks. I guess it's sort of "Nooj tyre gloop" for cooling systems. LOL.

I was looking on line today and found there is Radweld+ which is more heavy-duty - I was planning to use that.
Having seen it on Halfords website I dropped by their shop on the way home from work and was informed that they don't stock it as they can't carry everything they have online.


Anyway I bought a bottle of the normal stuff and have given that a go.
To begin with, coolant was pouring out of the heater but after a short while it reduced to a drip (no it's not that all the coolant has come out - it's fully topped up). We've just been for a drive and the car is heating up nicely and when we got back there were just a few drops on the drip tray I put under the heater. It could easily be that these are just the remnants of whatever was sloshing about in the bottom of the heater unit. If not, I think there's a good chance they'll seal - it's already stopped the coolant gushing out so if there are any small drips, it should surely sort them out.
Anyway, I'll check it in the morning and we'll continue to keep an eye on it.
TBH if the radweld saves a day's work pulling out and refitting the dash, then I'll be a very happy bunny.

Have you tried the usual places, like eBay and knackers yards? Bound to be something around somewhere.

I've looked around and there are some on ebay and, no doubt, I could get one from a breakers.
If the radweld doesn't hold, then that's the next step.

Things are a bit more complicated though. It seems that Fiat dual-sourced the heaters - some have Valeo units and some Magnetti Marelli .... and they are different.
Of course I don't know for sure what I've got in mine and will only find out when I've got it apart. Not ideal to have to strip it all down, find out which one and then try to find one before I can put it all back together.

That said, if the radweld doesn't do the job, that'll have to be the plan.

[Aladinsaneuk]

depending on cars value..... time to sell it and trade it in??

and as for which matrix is in there - I have been wanting an excuse to buy http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=257206 so.....

[MartDude]

DIY endoscopy? Or do you have something more perverted in mind?

[Willopotomas]

Had my car mechanic neighbour take a look at my cage for a pre-MOT check.. Turns out the off-side steering rack gaiter is FUBAR, one tyre is a failiure and one's on the limit.. Bit of play is the off side suspension linkage thing and the off-side suspension strut is leaky. MOT's due on the 21st, I'm skint and haven't sorted a pressie out for the Mrs yet. I can already see what this Christmas is goin to turn out to be..

So as Andy say's.. "Huh, Cars :-("

[BikerGran]

I'm amazed that Fiat are still doing that - many years ago I had a Fiat 127 and when I needed a part and spoke to the Fiat main dealer they told me to bring the old one in as there were 4 different ones used and no record of which VIN numbers had which part!

That aside, it was a wonderful car! Till the bottom fell out.