Coolant Leak in passenger footwell.

A-Trak

So, driving the mrs' car this morning when I noticed liquid literally sloshing about in the passenger footwell.

My first thought was an external leak or dodgy seal as it was lashing rain outside. Then the coolant low light came on as I was pulling into work.

Checked the coolant reservoir and it was well below the minimum mark.
Although here was no strong smell of coolant in the cabin of from the liquid in the footwell, it surely is a coolant leak?

If so what would be the likely cause of this, is it indicitave of a bigger problem etc or just a leak.

Cheers.

peasant

You most likely have a broken heater matrix.

(The heater in most cars is like a small radiator under the dash where the hot coolant circulates through, releasing heat into the cabin air.)

Anan1

Hard to say for sure without waiting for the rain to stop. If it is coolant, it's quite likely coming from the heater matrix. A replacement mightn't cost too much, but they can be a right b1tch to get at. I take it you refilled the coolant anyway? Keep a close eye on it, see if it drops again.

itarumaa

Heater matrix is the most likely cause, and if that is some small city car it can be really pain to change,

what car it is?

A-Trak

Thanks Lads,
I topped up all the levels 3 weeks ago and coolant was near full, and is near empty now so its leaking somewhere.
I'll top up the coolant before getting her to a mechanic, its a VW polo btw.

Its the 1st time I've driven her car in about 6 months so its sods law something would happen to the bloody thing today. I will of course be blamed for 'manhandling' her car or some other crime;)