Xantia 2.1 TD Estate - Smelly Heater

jwsmith2015 · Post by **jwsmith2015** » 27 Apr 2005, 00:49

Just replaced my Xantia for another same model etc., and found that there is a very acrid smell from the climate control when it goes into heating mode..... any one smelt this before?

Richard Gallagher · Post by **Richard Gallagher** » 27 Apr 2005, 01:10

Yes its when the heater matrix has started to leak. Do a search on this forum and you will find just the odd posting or two on the subject.
Make sure you are comfortable before reading though!

jeremy · Post by **jeremy** » 27 Apr 2005, 01:36

Not necessarily a leak
http://www.andyspares.com/discussionfor ... IC_ID=6749
may be bacteria - try another search.
Jeremy

jwsmith2015 · Post by **jwsmith2015** » 27 Apr 2005, 20:59

I have read through the related topics and my problem appears to have been seen before.
1. Acrid burnt insulation type of smell
2. I saw a powdery puff of smoke/debris being blown out once, I guess the previous owner kept the temperature perposely low
3. No damp carpets
4. Climate control works fine, there is no smell on cool but when the heating cycle cuts in the smell appears
5. The smell gets stronger when the temperature is increased
6. The smell doesn't diminish with increased air flow/time

JohnD · Post by **JohnD** » 27 Apr 2005, 23:14

My daughter's two year old Xsara was like that - terrible smell, no damp carpets, very little loss of water. The dealer changed the matrix under warranty.

oscarloco · Post by **oscarloco** » 28 Apr 2005, 00:07

Most probable a very small leak in the matrix. My car behaved the same way until one day steam came out the vents and the carpet got wet.
Fixed with half a bottle of Bar's stop leak.

jwsmith2015 · Post by **jwsmith2015** » 29 Apr 2005, 15:13

You were spot on. There was a small leak, a bottle of Barr's has fixed it.
Thanks again guys