possible heater matrix problem

[denisec60]

Can anyone help me and Mr Clueless-re-cars please?

Husband has had a 2005 206xsi for about 3 months. At time of purchase, questioned yellow (spanner?) light on dash being lit, told by dealer not to worry, just a servicing light, car had been serviced (it had, stamped in book) and that he'd re-set the light which he did.

Same light been back on for a couple of weeks (wasn't sure how to re-set it) but ever since a lot of damp/ what we thought was water in front passenger foot well and now a ticking noise from engine, more audible when idling but there all the time. On checking the 'water' which appeared again this morning in foot well it appears to be coolant. Check coolant level and it's below minimum and *very* low

Searched on-line, would seem most likely to be heater matrix problem? Can't even get damn cap off coolant expansion tank; have another go at that later. Is it safe to top up with coolant/water and drive 10 miles to garage? No 'stop' light has appeared on dash but yellow light lit. Sorry, another question... can anyone say whether yellow light IS actually a servicing light or something to do with coolant/engine diagnostics?

Sorry for all the pretty dopey questions but would really appreciate a bit of help. Thanks.

[Capncol]

Try a product called steel seal. It does work.
I tried this on a customers car with a leaky heater matrix, as the labour to change it would have been High. I said "lets try it. If it works you're quids in, if not, it's cost £30 odd quid to find out"
It worked a treat..
http://compare.ebay.co.uk/like/14052897 ... pla&crdt=0



PS. I'm not usually a fan of a cure-in-a-bottle.

[shadow]

service spanner can be reset it tells you how in the owners manual.
if you have the coolant warning and it is flashing (yellow) it's telling you to top up, if it turns red "stop" switch the engine off, if you top it up do it on a cold engine and you should get to the garage ok try not to use the heater.

[denisec60]

Thank you both. We'll try the steel seal - considering just had quote of close to £500 from local garage.

Got the cap off the coolant tank - completely empty Topped it up with coolant and water, ticking noise gone from engine.

Do you think, considering it looks like a major leak and the carpet in foot well is soaked, that the sealer might still work? Strange thing (to us, anyway) is that despite empty coolant tank, no warning lights at all on dash and engine running at perfectly normal temp. The light, it turns out, was just the spanner/servicing light back on - thanks for mentioning that, will look in manual and see how to re-set.

[GrandadMonkey]

With the key in the ignition, but not turned, Press and hold down the mileage indicator button. Whilst still depressed turn the ignition key. At this point the mileage indicator will count down from 9-0. When it hits 0 release the button.

[Capncol]

Thank you both. We'll try the steel seal - considering just had quote of close to £500 from local garage.Thats exactly why we gave it a shot. Its not a 5 minute job to change a heater matrix

Got the cap off the coolant tank - completely empty Topped it up with coolant and water, ticking noise gone from engine.

Do you think, considering it looks like a major leak and the carpet in foot well is soaked, that the sealer might still work? Almost certainly. It will only cost you £30 to find out. Compare that to how much fuel you use and its a cheap fix.Strange thing (to us, anyway) is that despite empty coolant tank, no warning lights at all on dash and engine running at perfectly normal temp. The light, it turns out, was just the spanner/servicing light back on - thanks for mentioning that, will look in manual and see how to re-set.