Steamy windows and an odd smell

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Steamy windows and an odd smell

Postby andyahp » Tue Jan 10, 2012 7:34 pm

Hello all,

Just after some advice from the more experienced. My 96 GR has suddenly developed a strange smell from the heaters and steamed up windows, mainly the passenger side. I have checked the passenger control for dampness/water but non present. I just topped up the coolant and after a drive about this has dropped slightly. The heaters are blowing out hot air on 32 with no problems but the windows still dont seem to clear. Any ideas what this could be. thanks in advance for any help
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Re: Steamy windows and an odd smell

Postby Sebastian » Tue Jan 10, 2012 7:45 pm

signs of a faulty heater matrix ,
no1. manual GR 96 l no2. tip GR 95 l no3. manual Gpx 95 l no.4 manual Gpx 95 l no.5 manual Gpx 96 l no.6 tip GR 95 - in 2011 took a break from the FTO scene
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Re: Steamy windows and an odd smell

Postby andyahp » Tue Jan 10, 2012 7:49 pm

I had thought that from digging around on here but just wanted to check opinions with my actual symptoms, thanks though, that should be fun to sort out :(
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Re: Steamy windows and an odd smell

Postby StewyD32 » Tue Jan 10, 2012 8:11 pm

That must be the most misleading thread title... Thought I was in for a bit of smut. :wink:
Got my hopes up with the odd smell bit
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Re: Steamy windows and an odd smell

Postby andyahp » Tue Jan 10, 2012 8:21 pm

Lol
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Re: Steamy windows and an odd smell

Postby Dragonheart » Tue Jan 10, 2012 8:48 pm

Heater matrix like Seb said.
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Re: Steamy windows and an odd smell

Postby optical illusion » Tue Jan 10, 2012 11:26 pm

Not being smart but what is the smell like and is it constant?
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Re: Steamy windows and an odd smell

Postby andyahp » Tue Jan 10, 2012 11:58 pm

Fish I would say, something like that lol. I wouldnt say it was constant when driving, I bit hard to say because you get use to it.
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Re: Steamy windows and an odd smell

Postby holio » Wed Jan 11, 2012 1:05 am

Try replacing the coolant, expired/boiled coolant can give a fishy smell.
It is a horrendous smell, does remind me of this gir..........
The ONLY 95GR in shocking red with these specific faults.
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Re: Steamy windows and an odd smell

Postby andyahp » Thu Jan 12, 2012 12:09 am

I took it to the garage today and it is pretty much confirmed the heater matrix is the problem. Anybody a rough idea how much it costs? Id have a go myself but its too big a job like
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Re: Steamy windows and an odd smell

Postby colm_mcm » Thu Jan 12, 2012 12:30 am

Camskill have them. The biggest cost is the labour in taking the dashboard out. The rest is easy.
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Re: Steamy windows and an odd smell

Postby andyahp » Thu Jan 12, 2012 2:07 pm

I got a quote for 300 plus VAT just for the labour. I put some sealant in on the advice of a garage but that has done little if nothing. I drove it today and after two miles the temperature went through the roof and stream starting coming out of the windscreen vent like you wouldnt imagine!!
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Re: Steamy windows and an odd smell

Postby optical illusion » Thu Jan 19, 2012 12:43 am

My matrix shat itself today.

The smell was so bad I had to pull in and get sick. Worst smell ever. Thought I was gonna die.
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Re: Steamy windows and an odd smell

Postby goz_83 » Thu Jan 19, 2012 2:43 am

Jaysus, That's hilarious! I was in stitches laughing at that. I guess it puts a sense of urgency into getting it sorted then? Can't be drivin around, smellin like sh1te. You'll be givin us all an awful name and fto will mean "F**k That Out". Good luck with it and I hope Febreze sorts out the stench.
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Re: Steamy windows and an odd smell

Postby optical illusion » Thu Jan 19, 2012 1:36 pm

Thanks, I'm glad a girl getting sick on the side of the road made you laugh. Coz I felt like crying.

:D
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Re: Steamy windows and an odd smell

Postby Bernard » Thu Jan 19, 2012 5:39 pm

Something similar happened to me a few years back.
The only difference is it was my passengers getting sick not me, it wasn't an FTO and instead of the heater matrix making the smell it was the previous nights Guinness.
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Re: Steamy windows and an odd smell

Postby Dragonheart » Thu Jan 19, 2012 6:00 pm

Thats why the window lock button was invented.
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Re: Steamy windows and an odd smell

Postby holio » Thu Jan 19, 2012 7:38 pm

Dragonheart wrote:Thats why the window lock button was invented.


Gotta love driving home along motorways after a serious night on the gargle.
The window lock button was the selling point for me.
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Re: Steamy windows and an odd smell

Postby Bernard » Thu Jan 19, 2012 8:16 pm

That's why +1s are a must on FTO-Ireland meets.
Some people are naturally gifted in that area though :smt078
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Re: Steamy windows and an odd smell

Postby red » Thu Jan 19, 2012 9:41 pm

Ive steamy windows too..due to a slightly banged up passenger door.. :lol:
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Re: Steamy windows and an odd smell

Postby optical illusion » Thu Jan 19, 2012 9:43 pm

Can it be definitely be replaced without decompressing the air con? It's just another pain in the hole I don't need...
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Re: Steamy windows and an odd smell

Postby Kace » Fri Jan 20, 2012 1:16 am

optical illusion wrote:Can it be definitely be replaced without decompressing the air con? It's just another pain in the hole I don't need...


Yep it can. Only problem is that it's one of the toughest FTO jobs out there :-/
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Re: Steamy windows and an odd smell

Postby andyahp » Sun Jan 22, 2012 9:05 pm

Well the good news is that I managed to replace the matrix myself. Hells teeth! It was a hard job. Only problem now is that it had knackered my electrics. Nothing on the dash works and the rear lights dont work, as the local police just pointed out :s
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Re: Steamy windows and an odd smell

Postby goz_83 » Sun Jan 22, 2012 9:30 pm

Have you checked the fuses under the hood? Same thing happened me wen I was wiring up the led gear knob. I guess that's why they say you should disconnect the battery first, but I didn't.
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Re: Steamy windows and an odd smell

Postby andyahp » Mon Jan 23, 2012 10:18 pm

I havent tbh, I know that the cause of the problem is just one fuse cos its just one fuse that does the dash lighting and the rear lights but I dont know where or which one exactly that it is
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