spicy smell from heater

dave28 · Post by **dave28** » 14 Dec 2010, 19:22

Hi all hope you can help i have just purchased a berlingo 1.9d van and have noticed that when i first put the blower on there is a very strong curry sort of smell i have googled the problem and it says that the heater matrix has gone . But what i cannot understand is that there are no leaks on the carpets and the heater works fine also the smell goes after about 5 mins or so. hope someone can help.

Xaccers · Post by **Xaccers** » 14 Dec 2010, 19:24

When it starts to go, it just weeps, which runs coolant down into the box the matrix sits in, this pools and gives off the smell when heated.
With the heat turned off, the box is isolated, turn the heat on, and air blows through the box getting warmed, taking the smell with it drying the box out, hence why the scent isn't constant.
Just wait til you get mist coming out of the vents!

Forte stop leak can be used to ward off the dreaded matrix change job, but it will need doing eventually.

Deanxm · Post by **Deanxm** » 14 Dec 2010, 19:29

I had no coolant on the floor either but when set to demist from a cold start it would mist the windscreen a little and the curry/spice/burning electrics smell would ease after a few minutes running but

CIMG3125 by Deanxm, on Flickr
It was most certainly time to change the heater Matrix.

D

dave28 · Post by **dave28** » 14 Dec 2010, 20:04

Hi thanks for the quick replies the strange thing is that i have not lost any water from the header tank at all have been using the van for about three weeks now. but if the matrix is shot what sort of a job is it to get the dash out.

Deanxm · Post by **Deanxm** » 14 Dec 2010, 20:22

Not sure on a blingo, being a van it might be a bit easier as it will have less toys, ive just had a little search of the interweb and nothing obvious is coming up so far as guides go, do you have a haynes?
Mine never really used any water either, when you think it only has to weep very slightly and it will stink, if they split you wil know about it, i had a wellies incident in another car once

D

dave28 · Post by **dave28** » 14 Dec 2010, 20:31

No i have not got a haynes yet they seem to have got worse over the years more money less info

i might just try some k-seal for the moment and see how long it last ,no wonder the guy i brought the van from stuck a new air freshner in it. i thought at first it had been used for a takeaway delivery van

Post by **NAM** » 14 Dec 2010, 20:33

Hi - just thought I'd throw my experience into this thread. I have had the curry smell for at least 18 months - there are lots of threads on the forum so this one will keep you searching and reading for ages - all good and helpful.

I don't have a wet carpet and don't have to top up the radiator with coolant. I even asked my local Citroen specialist to check as I was getting worried - not quite at the popadom stage but I had the basmati rice on the boil after a particularly strong waft of vindaloo. The job for a Xantia involves taking the entire front dash out and takes a full day - probably around £300 for someone to do it for you.

Not wanting to spend money (more than already done) I poured a bottle of K Seal into the radiator and so far I still have not had a problem - nor do I need to top up the coolant level.

So - my advice is not to panic. Get things checked for leaks and wet carpets (the big give away so I am told) and be ready to either spend time (or cash).

I hope you don't need to do anything just yet but there is lots of advice on the forum.

dave28 · Post by **dave28** » 14 Dec 2010, 20:48

Hi thanks for the reply you say that you used k-seal that is what i was thinking of doing did this stop the smell as i thought it was the matrix leaking that caused the smell so if you don't have a leak you don't have a smell is this right or wrong i'm getting a bit baffled what actually causes the smell.

Deanxm · Post by **Deanxm** » 14 Dec 2010, 20:53

the smell is hot antifreeze, antifreeze crystals will remain (see my picture) even if a sealant stops any further leaks so you will always have a mild smell if you use K-Seal.
mind you most people here swear by Forte stopleak and i believe Valeo do too

K seal is mainly a sealant developed to hide/seal headgasket and liner drop problems on the powertrain 'K'series engine ued in rovers hence the name K seal

its a bit thick for what you want.

D

falling-out-with-my-car · Post by **falling-out-with-my-car** » 14 Dec 2010, 20:58

I guess egg whites dont work quite as well as they used to then?

dave28 · Post by **dave28** » 14 Dec 2010, 21:02

Ok all, thanks for all your help i will pop in a bottle of whatever for now and try to get through the winter i must state that it is nice to join a forum where you get answers the same day. many thanks

dave28 · Post by **dave28** » 14 Dec 2010, 21:03

falling-out-with-my-car wrote:I guess egg whites dont work quite as well as they used to then?

Eggs and Curry

egg fried rice

Deanxm · Post by **Deanxm** » 14 Dec 2010, 21:12

handyman · Post by **handyman** » 14 Dec 2010, 21:14

Make sure your radiator fans are working correctly, as any form of engine overheating will pressurize the coolant system and no matter what sealant you have used to plug the small holes, the excess pressure will find any weakness in the heater matrix. This will happen long before the rad cap has even thought about overpressure and time to letting off.

Just remember you are on borrowed time, as once you know the matrix is leaking, it is only a matter of time before you have to face the big question. Replacement!!!

Handyman

exect · Post by **exect** » 14 Dec 2010, 21:20

I had the same problem with the curry smell on a Xantia, but it turned out to be a weep from a rubber pipe behind the engine block and the smell was getting into the cab somehow and also seemed to coincide with the heater being on.
Exect