LR
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HeatingMedium severity

Wet passenger footwell or sweet smell (heater matrix)

Will get worse if left.

Symptoms

Damp passenger footwell, sweet smell of coolant, misting windscreen, coolant loss.

Likely cause

Leaking heater matrix or perished heater hoses.

Suggested fixes

Listed roughly in the order most owners try them.

  1. 1

    Replace the heater matrix

    Remove the heater box from the bulkhead and fit a new matrix.

    Difficulty:
    Moderate DIY
    Cost:
    ££ (About £50 to £300)
  2. 2

    Replace heater hoses and clips

    Check hoses at the bulkhead for splits before replacing the matrix.

    Difficulty:
    Easy DIY
    Cost:
    £ (Under about £50 in parts)

This is general guidance gathered from owner experience and workshop practice, not a substitute for a workshop manual or a qualified mechanic. Costs are rough parts-only guides. Brakes, steering and suspension work affects safety, so if in doubt have it checked professionally.

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