Coolant Temperature Gauge

omar_little

omar_little

Junior Member
Messages
122
Hi Forum

On the drive home earlier I noticed the coolant temperature gauge moving off of the central reading it usually displays. It stopped between 90 and 130. The red warning light came on briefly, but then went out again. This happened a few times on the short (less than 3 miles) journey home. Also the AC seems to be working intermittently! Seems to blowing cold air as opposed to heat. I've seen a few threads on this and I think, but not sure what I should check first! I'd appreciate any guidance.
 
ledlights

ledlights

Junior Member
Messages
189
Okay, how about a) an air lock or b) the water pump impeller coming loose on its shaft?

Regards,

Steve
 
omar_little

omar_little

Junior Member
Messages
122
Sorry forum! When I checked the coolant level in the dark last night, it appeared to be okay. In daylight though it's clear the coolant level is low. The container in the engine compartment is empty.

Also I've noticed a sweet tasting liquid in the passenger footwell.

Is it worth topping up the coolant or should I just take the car to a garage to resolve?
 
ledlights

ledlights

Junior Member
Messages
189
Hi Omar,

Sounds like you might have a leak on the heater up under the dash. I think there's a thread on how to get to it on this forum.....

If you're handy with tools you should be able to check this out yourself.

Steve
 
Last edited:
omar_little

omar_little

Junior Member
Messages
122
Might be a tad too ambitious for my first project. I've booked it into an independent for tomorrow morning.

I take it I'm okay to topup the coolant with water to ensure I get to the garage okay? I understand I should measure the amount of wiser I put in and let garage know.
 
CatmanV2

CatmanV2

Member
Messages
48,816
Leaking heater matrix, Omar. It's a sod to get to, but the part can be had quite cheaply. Where are you?

C
 
omar_little

omar_little

Junior Member
Messages
122
Good to know the part can be quite cheap! Is it a common problem?

As a temporary measure, I topped up with 2 litres of water. Heater working fine and temperature gauge back to normal.

I'm in Clapham South West London.
 
CatmanV2

CatmanV2

Member
Messages
48,816
Yep, very common. The part is the same as the Alfa 166 and Lancia Kappa. Maserati supply it with the diffuser plastics at around £1000 IIRC. I paid £54 for mine :D
from these guys:
http://www.discount-cooling.co.uk
Can't find the part currently on their site, but I probably have the invoice back in the UK.

C
 
omar_little

omar_little

Junior Member
Messages
122
That's a massive difference in price! Are the two components identical? What year and model 166 has the same unit?
 
omar_little

omar_little

Junior Member
Messages
122
Sorry to re-open this discussion, but I contacted a number of independents and main dealers for a quote to fit the heater matrix. The independent quoted circa £900 to fit, however they mentioned that this was just the price to fit the heater box. They said that the heater box contains the heater matrix. They would need to charge additional work to open up the heater box and replace the heater matrix. They also said that Maserati supply the heater box as a full replacement as opposed to just replacing the heater matrix. Does this account for the pricing delta between the Maserati price for supplying the heater matrix vs the Alfa Romeo 166 heater matrix???
 
CatmanV2

CatmanV2

Member
Messages
48,816
The heater box is indeed part of the Maserati price. My indy didn't find it difficult. In fact it's a DIY job if you've got time and inclination. I figure that moulded plastic costs £940 :)

Go to Sunnyside. Tell Felice I sent you. He's done one not long ago, so knows what to do. Sure he'll quote you a bit less than £900

C
 
omar_little

omar_little

Junior Member
Messages
122
Thanks. So just to confirm, are you saying that the heater box is just moulded plastic which contains the heater matrix?
 
CatmanV2

CatmanV2

Member
Messages
48,816
omar_little said:
Thanks. So just to confirm, are you saying that the heater box is just moulded plastic which contains the heater matrix?
Click to expand...

Yep, that's my understanding. Sure there will be an element of extra work to dismantle the plastic box and remove / replace the matrix. An hour *max* I'd have thought.

Not sure about Paul's how to but from another place...

http://www.maseratilife.com/forums/coupe-spyder-gs/11607-heater-core-replacement-5.html

and

http://alfafiatservice.co.uk/

For Felice

C
 
You must log in or register to reply here.