9 replies to this topic

[not_much_of_a_mechanic]

Hi There,

Im getting smoke of some sort coming through my driver side air vent. Its only happening when the engine gets up to temperature and when im moving. I originally thought it may be the clamp where the manifold meets the exhaust as this has gone before, but ive rubbed my hand around the pipe for sooty deposits - but nothing. Also have attemepted (though its tricky) to spray easy stary into the clamp area, but the engine doesn't change. No smoke comes out at all at stand still.

So, doing a bit of research and thinking logically, i was wondering if this could be the heater matrix leaking? Has anyone had this problem, and how would i diagnose the heater matrix?

Other than this the car is running very nicely, but i've tried a few test runs and the small amount of hazy smoke/vapour appears just when the car gets up to temp every time.... and every time i stop the car incase its something more troublesome.

Any thoughts are hugely appreciated!!

The car is a 1974 1275 GT.

[firefox]

If the heater matrix is goosed the floor and carpets will be wet, is it smoke or steam

[Old Bob]

If it's smoke it should have a distinctive smell and it will probably make your eyes water. If it is water vapour, it will have a harsh smell and is probably coming froom the heater matrix.

Bob

[Cerberus]

The heating system isn't connected to the side vents though is it? Mine isn't, it's just a pipe that goes down to the front of the car.

[firefox]

The heating system isn't connected to the side vents though is it? Mine isn't, it's just a pipe that goes down to the front of the car.

Nobody has said it was, we are tring to determine smoke or steam if it is smoke there is a problem with the tubing how do you know it is all standard
without a photo the pipe could be anywhere

[sonikk4]

If the heater matrix is goosed the floor and carpets will be wet, is it smoke or steam

This is not strictly true. My clubman had steam coming out of the demisters but no wet carpets etc. Water was starting to puddle inside the case but not enough to drop out. The OP needs to clarify whether he is on about the fresh air vent or the demisters.

[tiger99]

If the heater fan is not running, will steam from a leaky heater matrix not be able to travel backwards through the duct and emerge at the highest point, which is the fresh air vent? Switching the fan on would blow it into the footwells instead, so that source can probably be identified quickly.

I had this happen on a City E, a couple of times, and never did identify the source, as the problem just went away. I presume it must have been a leak in the heater, because nothing was smoking under the bonnet near the air intake for the heater and drivers side vent.

[Cerberus]

If the heater fan is not running, will steam from a leaky heater matrix not be able to travel backwards through the duct and emerge at the highest point, which is the fresh air vent? Switching the fan on would blow it into the footwells instead, so that source can probably be identified quickly.

I had this happen on a City E, a couple of times, and never did identify the source, as the problem just went away. I presume it must have been a leak in the heater, because nothing was smoking under the bonnet near the air intake for the heater and drivers side vent.

Forgot about that duct on the drivers side that feeds the heater matrix and the vent.

Firefox, just my train of thought, heater didn't come into it,

[not_much_of_a_mechanic]

Thanks for all the replies guys. I have established that is steam, and is coming from the heater pipe on the drivers side. If i remove the pipe from that goes from the heater into the air vent that blows on the window, no steam comes out, or at least i cant see it. when i put it back in it shows up. I guess it must just be because its getting channelled through a smaller gap and is more dense? anyway, definately not smoke, so i guess this is a new matrix.

Only just seen the response about turning the blowers on, so ill try that to check too.

Thanks all.

[firefox]

If the heater fan is not running, will steam from a leaky heater matrix not be able to travel backwards through the duct and emerge at the highest point, which is the fresh air vent? Switching the fan on would blow it into the footwells instead, so that source can probably be identified quickly.

I had this happen on a City E, a couple of times, and never did identify the source, as the problem just went away. I presume it must have been a leak in the heater, because nothing was smoking under the bonnet near the air intake for the heater and drivers side vent.

Forgot about that duct on the drivers side that feeds the heater matrix and the vent.

Firefox, just my train of thought, heater didn't come into it,

Would you mind changing didn't to does