New Matrix or K-Seal?

[jingerman]

Lost about a cup of coolant within 1 week and found passenger footwell wet. Everything is pointing to heater matrix.

Car is vectra c 1.9 120 8v 05 plate so don't really want to spend too much due to time consuming job.

I was browsing around and came across K-Seal and was wondering if it's worth trying it.

Someone said they were topping up 2ltrs in coolant due to loss and k-seal fixed it. So going by that assumption I only lose 1 or 2 cup full's in a week.

The footwell is mainly wet to the left of the car and slightly mid.

What do you guys think?

[a602820922]

I did use it on my vectra c - radiator leaks. And i have to say that k-seal did the job.
But I would recommend you to use it as it says on the bottle and flush the coolant after 1 day and pour new coolant in there.

[northpole]

Replace it... k-seal will do the job of sealing it if it is a small leak...but for me that stuff is like an emergency repair... only good to help you to bridge the time to solve the problem at a more convenient time.

[LastOne]

I had a leaking matrix, not enough to notice a drop in the water level, but when using the heater fan the cabin would fill with the sickly sweet smell of coolant. One bottle of K-seal mostly fixed the problem, with the smell occasionally returning. A second bottle a few weeks later fixed it for good. That was 2.5 years ago. IIRC it says on the bottle that it's up to you whether you change the coolant after using the K-seal or leave it in there indefinitely.

[a602820922]

I preferred to change the coolant as leaving k-seal in there for longer may cause more problems. That's what I think.

[LastOne]

I think that's called guessing.

[fatfred]

Only ever used it once. Rover 45 head gasket fubared. Spent £700+ having the gasket done only for it to go 18 months later. 1 bottle and an auction later, Rover gone...... not sure you're interested but you've read it now!

[matthewp1633]

Be aware that water on the floor doesn t always indicate a heater matrix because the scuttle panel drains often block and rain gets in hence the wetness. Use your finger to taste the water on the footwell and if it is sickly sweet and tastes horrid its anti freeze!

If no horrid taste clear the scuttle channels and look elsewhere for your coolant leak.

Be careful not to taste too much as anti freeze is poisonous in large amounts!

[jingerman]

Put a bottle in 236ml, ran to 90c, fan kicked in, left heaters on full blast and drove it for 30 minutes, lets see.

I top up coolant to Kalt sign and after a week it loses about 200ml.

Hopefully with k-seal it might stay there.

Was wondering if it was something to do with my open thermostat issues?

[fatfred]

If there are no leaks the coolant level will stay the same. It won't matter if the stat is open or closed, it should be a sealed system.