Luke warm heating

Howsey16

Active Member
Feb 18, 2021
20
4
Hi all, first post here.

After reading loads about heater matrix, dash out, silica gel, etc. Im a bit gutted to say that my brand new (to me... 2017 model) has luke warm heating.

If I turn the heating up to hi and full power it is luke warm but if I leave the temp up high and turn the power down to 3 or 4 it gets quite warm..... crank the power back up and temp drops to being cool again.

Whatever setting it is on, the 2 passenger side blowers are the same temp and the 2 drivers blowers are the same but there is a difference between the passengers and drivers side.

Any suggestions?
TIA
 

SRGTD

Active Member
May 26, 2014
2,388
1,279
As your car’s a recent purchase (assume this is the case as you’ve said it’s brand new to you), did you buy it from a dealership? If yes, then presumably you have a warranty, in which case I’d be getting the supplying dealer to sort the issue for you under warranty.

Additionally, when buying a used car from a dealer, irrespective of the existence or not of a warranty, you have statutory rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 - the car has to be fit for purpose and as described. I argue that a car with a defective / ineffective heating system isn’t fit for purpose.

So IMO, a dealer should sort this out for you - either under the warranty or their obligations under the Consumer Rights Act.

Good luck; I hope you get it sorted soon. Oh, and welcome to the forum.
 

BillyCool

Active Member
Jan 16, 2020
645
244
Leicestershire, UK
Welcome to the forum.

If it is your heater matrix, you can buy one for €80 and change it in about 2-3 hours with a DIY cheat (assuming you are comfortable to do that).

As for warranty etc. It's a bit tricky because certain parts may not fall under the warranty and CRA (newer version of Sale of Goods Act) talks about `faulty` parts etc. and that is the usual grey area to try and dodge responsibility. Yes, it should be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and as described - but - it depends how the dealer views it.

Certainly worth asking the question though.

Worse case - you could probably sort it for c.£100 and some time on the tools.

Let us know how you get on.
 

Howsey16

Active Member
Feb 18, 2021
20
4
Thanks for your replies.

I have actually took the plunge and bought it online, no test drive, no viewing, 14 day money back guarantee, 3 month warranty from carzam.im still in the 14day period and its going into the garage in the morning so see what happens.

I must say I am so far really impressed with things so let's see if they pull through with this heating thing as the rest of the car is immaculate. Its an ex mobility car, 4 years old with 42k on the clock and really nice condition.

Im handy with easy tasks but not confident with cars so probably sway towards taking it to that garage. I'd more than likely not be able to fit things back together properly and it would do my head in.
 

SuperV8

Active Member
May 30, 2019
1,320
581
Hi all, first post here.

After reading loads about heater matrix, dash out, silica gel, etc. Im a bit gutted to say that my brand new (to me... 2017 model) has luke warm heating.

If I turn the heating up to hi and full power it is luke warm but if I leave the temp up high and turn the power down to 3 or 4 it gets quite warm..... crank the power back up and temp drops to being cool again.

Whatever setting it is on, the 2 passenger side blowers are the same temp and the 2 drivers blowers are the same but there is a difference between the passengers and drivers side.

Any suggestions?
TIA
If it's under warranty I would try that route first.
If it is the heater matrix it's not a dash out job, quite simple.
Has it had any engine work done? where the cooling system might have been disturbed? and not bleed properly? If there's air in the cooling system/heater matrix it will not be blowing out hot air.
When my matrix blocked the passenger side was toasty - drivers side 'tepid' first noticed when the misses was turning her side down - and I was cranking my side up! normally the other way around! something like 15-20 degrees differential in temps from memory.
 

martin j.

Active Member
Feb 11, 2007
1,996
889
Fife
Does the engine get to normal operating temp, water and oil display on dash if you have them? Could be thermostat.
 

SuperV8

Active Member
May 30, 2019
1,320
581
Does the engine get to normal operating temp, water and oil display on dash if you have them? Could be thermostat.
Yes, good point.
Also you can re-calibrate your heater diverter flaps (ignition on, press and hold AC button and middle/face direct button) - maybe they have lost their position.
 

Howsey16

Active Member
Feb 18, 2021
20
4
Yes, good point.
Also you can re-calibrate your heater diverter flaps (ignition on, press and hold AC button and middle/face direct button) - maybe they have lost their position.
Middle face direct button? Do you mean the button to turn blowers on that blow towards you
 

Howsey16

Active Member
Feb 18, 2021
20
4
I actually took it to my local garage earlier and he said that its a dash out job as he isn't sure whether its the heater matrix or the control panel. I have got it approved under warranty to carry out diagnostics up to the value of £250 so he is going to take dash out next week.... not sure what tests he did.

When I was leaving, somebody from another garage said to change pollen filter to see if that works.... would that work at all? I might try it for £10 if it might work...
 

BigJase88

Jase
Apr 20, 2008
3,767
1,069
I actually took it to my local garage earlier and he said that its a dash out job as he isn't sure whether its the heater matrix or the control panel. I have got it approved under warranty to carry out diagnostics up to the value of £250 so he is going to take dash out next week.... not sure what tests he did.

When I was leaving, somebody from another garage said to change pollen filter to see if that works.... would that work at all? I might try it for £10 if it might work...
Pollen filter isn’t going to help the lack of heat.

The matrix on the leon mk3 can be changed without removing the entire dash fyi
 

SuperV8

Active Member
May 30, 2019
1,320
581
I actually took it to my local garage earlier and he said that its a dash out job as he isn't sure whether its the heater matrix or the control panel. I have got it approved under warranty to carry out diagnostics up to the value of £250 so he is going to take dash out next week.... not sure what tests he did.

When I was leaving, somebody from another garage said to change pollen filter to see if that works.... would that work at all? I might try it for £10 if it might work...
I wouldn't be letting anyone take my dash out if they aren't sure! without guaranteed justification. They never go back the same. (squeaks and rattles)
As confirmed previously if it is the heater matrix this can be tested and changed by removing glove box and blower motor - simple job.
If its the HVAC unit this can be tested - BEFORE taking the dash out. ONLY take the dash out if the HVAC unit is faulty.

Just to be clear - don't take the dash out! If they know it's a warranty job - taking the dash out would make them a lot more money!
 

CardiffFR150

Active Member
Jan 5, 2021
78
20
Cardiff
I actually took it to my local garage earlier and he said that its a dash out job as he isn't sure whether its the heater matrix or the control panel. I have got it approved under warranty to carry out diagnostics up to the value of £250 so he is going to take dash out next week.... not sure what tests he did.

When I was leaving, somebody from another garage said to change pollen filter to see if that works.... would that work at all? I might try it for £10 if it might work...

I had the exact same issue with my 2015 mk3 Leon. My coolant temp was fine, coolant levels were fine just wasn’t getting heat in the cabin, only Luke warm. Took it to my local garage he said it’s a dash out job to change the blocked matrix and quoted me £390!! I watched a video on YouTube and figured out that you “do not” have to remove the dash to change the matrix on the Mk3 Leon.

I’ve attached the link to the video. The car in the video is a Mk3 Skoda Octavia but it’s the exact same setup and platform (VWAG) as the Mk3 Leon. I purchased a new matrix for £80 and replaced it myself. Took me around an hour or so I believe. After replacing it and topping up the coolant I took it for a spin and had amazing boiling hot blowers!! Better than they ever were! Never had a problem since. Please don’t listen to the garage that told you the dash needs to come out.


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Yern

Active Member
Apr 25, 2019
625
311
Just to be clear - don't take the dash out! If they know it's a warranty job - taking the dash out would make them a lot more money!
Nah...do it through the footwell and claim warranty for taking the dash out 💷💷💷💷
 

Howsey16

Active Member
Feb 18, 2021
20
4
Yes, good point.
Also you can re-calibrate your heater diverter flaps (ignition on, press and hold AC button and middle/face direct button) - maybe they have lost their position.
I tried this and tested it but made no difference.

Once other thing iv noticed today is that if the heating is switched off then there is still quite warm air trickling through the vents so there is some heat coming from somewhere.... if it was the matrix would it not get hot at all?
 

CardiffFR150

Active Member
Jan 5, 2021
78
20
Cardiff
I tried this and tested it but made no difference.

Once other thing iv noticed today is that if the heating is switched off then there is still quite warm air trickling through the vents so there is some heat coming from somewhere.... if it was the matrix would it not get hot at all?

My matrix was blocked. I use to turn the blowers on really low and I’d get a tiny bit of warmth. You will still feel a very slight bit of warm air. As soon as you change your matrix you will have 100% heat


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