AVA Heater Matrix

The heater matrix is the little radiator inside the car that heats up the interior. If your Heater matrix is choked up you won't get as much heat into the car as you should, and heaters, like car radiators, can choke up due to build up of deposits or dirt in the cooling system.

When the heater is turned on by the driver, a diverter door opens to the heater core area in the dashboard. A small fan (commonly referred to as a heater/blower motor) blows air across the hot heater core into the duct work of the dashboard and into the interior of your car.

When the heater core leaks (it leaks anti-freeze) it will usually leak inside the car on the passenger floorboard under the carpet. If your heater isn't working properly, or if you smell a sweet odour, investigate the passenger side floorboard for signs of anti-freeze leakage. A leaking heater core may also cause a greasy film on the inside of the windows.

So what causes the heater core to leak in the first place?

Usually the main culprit is rust build up caused from lack of cooling system flushes. Anti-freeze acts as a lubricant and rust inhibitor as well as a temperature controlling substance. Anti-freeze should be flushed and replaced periodically to keep the cooling system in good working order.