Coolant leakage on the driver's feet, in a Vitara.

For a long time now, I had noticed that under the drive's feet, carpets were wet."Look", I thought, "It must be the water coming in from the upper corner of the wind shied". Rubber get sunburned and this common to most Vitaras. So, I remove the driver's and co-driver's carpets, poor me, thinking that it would be OK to let them dry by the sun (my nose was never helping me). But the carpets weren't getting any dryer, anyways!
To make the long story short, I tell you that I found out that it wasn't water, but it was cooland liquid, which was escaping from my heater and then, leaking to the driver's feet.
So , poor me, I found outthat it was about the small radiator from the heater. I'm calling the Suzuki offices of my area, to ask about availability and pricing and I get informed that this part is only available after ordering it from Japan or maybe some place in the outer space. It's price would be 308 euros. Living in Thassos is like living in heaven, but in these cases, heaven is far-far away from civilization.  Well it was Sunday coming and I knew that on Sunday my wife would be visiting her mother, 200km away!

The following photos describe of came out of my mind afterwards, in order to solve my problem!

Here, the little lake of coolant, formed after I removed the carpet.


Here, the spot where the leak was passing-by. It can be seen on the white paint.


This is dirt from the coolant, on the left side of the heater.


Whatever you may see.


Well, I didn't mention that to get your hands on the heaters radiator, you have to rip the tablot, did I? That includes the steering-wheel's height adjustment lever and the steering-wheel itself. All these screws marked here, may give you a clue of what you should do. Basically , three of the are at the driver's feet area, three at the co-driver's and three along the windsield....


Yep! To reach the radiator, you need to remove the steering-wheel!



Cut those cable ties holding the cables from the switches. Remove the flash lever. I don't see any other way, sorry.


You should be strong and courageus.


Remove those two bots on the upper place, as well as the two number 13's, who hold the heater by the side of the engine.


Remove the coolant input-output.


This drawing might help you out. Click to enlarge.


The heater' s radiator, right after it came out.


Detail of the above photo, to see the leakage.


And one to remember.


This is the air intake. At the inner one can see all those leaves getting stuck on the coolant.


Remove the input - output pipes and drag the radiator out.


Here it is.


Left and right, these plastic parts, are united to the main thing and on the junctions there are rubber flanges.


Careful, do not waste the part in the middle of the flange, which separates the input and the output.


Clean perfectly well the copper side.


Scratch the flange with the hard part of a sponge, or something similar, without hurting it. Look at the photo, the cracks of the flange. These are major problem.


Rubber-glue. I had some.


Don't be stinky.


Close again, as tight as you possibly can. Here is the key of success.


Finished!


Some wind-stop tape (for doors or windows)



Please note: I can't be held responsible for whatever damage you could make to your vehicle or your self or else, by following these steps. Be responsible for your acts.