Xsara MK II intermittent spicy aroma

[Gingerposer]

Not related to occasionally passing curry shops either

I have been getting strong whiffs of a curry type smell, these only occur when I adjust the temperature dial and fade very quickly afterwards. First signs of heater matrix leaks, or symptoms of something else? Car does slowly use coolant, haven't found any wetness inside the cabin yet.
Suggestions (not involving avoiding curry shops or carrying Naan breads) please?



Cheers

Ainslie

[Hell Razor5543]

From what I have read on the forum an unexpected curry smell does indicate the heater matrix has started to leak. Now what you need is somebody who knows how to replace the matrix on your Xsara.

[RichardW]

Almost certainly the matrix. Chuck a bottle of Forte radiator sealer (and nothing else!) in the coolant header tank and forget about it.

[isisalar]

Richard is right in saying that Forte is the accepted best option for this. I used it on my old 1.9d, it did cure the leak but the matrix did clog after a couple of years and the heater stopped working. There's a new product on the market which I've posted on called CT1 miracle seal which seems very promising. Check out the post. Guinea pigs required.
Cheers
Paul

[Gingerposer]

Paul, I did have a gander at that stuff but didn't find any links to stockists in Aberdeen area - unless you have an idea where I could get it online? I'll happily guinea pig this one for the team!

[isisalar]

If you click on this link :- http://www.ct1ltd.com/en/miracle-seal.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
There's a telephone Symbol at the top, says local distributors, click on that. There's a distributor for Scotland in Clydebank, I spotted a QVC video on U tube, so I suppose they must sell it too.
Great to have a guinea pig, it'll save a lot of cars from the scrapper if it works as it says. Dash out job at £70 hr is a definite write off for most people.
Best of luck with it.
Cheers
Paul

[handyman]

Curry smell, damp patch in passenger footwell. Heater matrix is leaking. Two ways of dealing with this. First, tip a bottle of K-Seal into radiator & hope leak goes away, usually does. Second, rip out dash & replace heater matrix.

On Xantias & ZXs, Citroen allowed 12 hours. Fastest I've ever fitted one was 4 hours on a ZX, usually six on a Xantia. Did here of a meck-a-nic doing it in 2-3 hours but he had very skinny fingers & modified (bodged) the heater box.

Internet reviews on this CT1 Miracle stuff are quite varied. I'm always wary of something that has 'miracle' in its branding. I'll have a word with my local plumbers merchants, they'll know if its sh!t or not. Pricing seems to be dearer than K-Seal for something that does the same job.

Alternatively, pour some sodium borate & an uncooked egg white into the system. That'll stop the leaks!

H