smells like maple syrup...

[orinoco74]

I have noticed when I turns the heaters on in my xantia, I get a strong smell of maple syrup coming through the vents. As nice at is (although a blueberry smell would he better), does anyone know what causes this?

[Johnny Cogs]

I had a similar smell in my old Xant.... It had a slight heater matrix leak.... I used a coolant system sealer in the fluid and when I was convinced it had sealed I ran the thing full heat for a few days, dried out most of the offending damp spots...

Mine smelt a little more like curried maple syrup though!!!

[myglaren]

Perhaps a different type of coolant responsible for the smell?

I suggest getting a dose of Forte Stop Leak in the cooling system as soon as possible.
Don't be tempted to substitute anything else (Radweld, K-Seal etc.) as they will cause more problems that they solve.
Forte has been proven to work well with PSA cars without causing undesirable effets secondaires.

Valeo insist on it being added when fitting a new heater matrix or the warranty is invalidated!

[CitroJim]

Steve, that's absolutely 100% spot-on

[lexi]

Valeo insist on it being added when fitting a new heater matrix or the warranty is invalidated!

Does that sum up how good Valeo is then?

[myglaren]

I think they have worked out the corrosive effects of an improperly maintained cooling system and are guarding themselves against inappropriate claims on the warranty.

That said a new one would be unlikely to fail within a year as after installation the system would need to be filled with fresh coolant anyway. Although some people could possibly just chuck plain water in, which wouldn't last too long.