Suspect heater matrix? Help!

[quattro_afn]

Last weekend I replaced a coolant seal on the housing at the rear of the engine (that leads off to the bulkhead with the 3 heater plugs in)... Now I didn't disturb the two pipes that join to the matrix but ever since I've had horrendous steaming up issues, coolant smell in the car and loss of coolant. I've monitored the level and I found one of the two pipes that connect to the matrix to be leaking, so tonight I've replaced the hose clips, cleaned off and topped up the coolant. My question is.. If the leaking pipe was the issue 1,how has coolant got into the matrix and 2, how long will it take to coolant to remove itself from the air box And 3 has anyone else had this problem and what are the matrix like to do??

Thanks in advance

 

[jbh]

not sure about the A4 but I done a heater matrix in a passat a few years back.
I had to remove the dash which originally I was dreading but to be honest its not the worst one ive done.
I had it stripped and built in a day

 

[quattro_afn]

Yeah I'm dreading this too, it's my daily runner!

 

[Bradderz_1988]

Dash out job on the A4 im affraid !

 

[davy j]

done my own matrix

takes longer to find all the screws than taking it out but worth doing

Took me i day for a strip and rebuild

if you are loking fora matrix i would recommend this one

AUDI A4 HEATER Matrix 1996-2005 | eBay

Bought 2 off of them and got a quick delivery