Hi Guys,
I’ve been a great fan of this forum for many years and have read many tips that have made owning a Maserati even more of a pleasure. Have been driving a 4200 for 10 years now and maintain and service it myself so have learn much in that time.
Always dreaded the soggy carpets and misted up windscreen due to failing heater matrix so added a product called Solvall Leakfix to my 2005 4200 3 years ago when it only had 36000 miles on the clock. To be clear my heater matrix had not failed so added this purely as a precaution (prevention is better than cure) and yes I was concerned it might be snake oil and block the rad cores. Pleased to say in the last 3 years the cooling system has not suffered any ill effects and now has 63000 miles on the clock. To say I drive the car in a spirited fashion would be an understatement- plus the car gets track time at Kirkistown and Mondello race circuits 4 or 5 times a year.
Thankfully I’ve never had a coolant leak of any description which could be just down to luck, but then maybe its this stuff doing its job. I put it in the cooling system for insurance as it would appear that as our cars get older it is a matter when and not if the heaters start to leak. If you what to check it out the web site is
www.solvall.co.uk they also have a demo on YouTube - search for Solvall Leakfix. It costs around £10 and one can (300ml) treats up to 80 litres ( I put 150ml in to be sure to be sure with no noticeable adverse effects). A 4200 has 11.5 litres of coolant so well dosed. The product goes to great lengths to say it will not clog up systems and is Guaranteed not to clog up a well maintained system.
Solvall Leakfix is a N.Ireland Company and as I live in Portstewart N.Ireland would like to point out I have no affiliation with the product or Company and cannot guarantee it will work or cause no harm. I purchased it from a Plumbing Trade counter as it is also suitable for Central Heating systems and under floor heating installations and tends to be stocked my plumbers merchants not motor factors.
Have just got myself a 2003 Manual Spyder with 26500 mile on the clock to join the 2005 Manual 4200 in the garage (took a while but now got the best of both worlds). Along with changing all the fluids in the Spyder I’ve also flushed the cooling system and refilled with Motul Inugel coolant along with 200ml of Solvall Leakfix (just in case).
At the end of the day if you don’t fancy ripping the dash out this solution might be worth a try. It’s not expensive, easy to add and if it works it might be the best thing to come out of NI for a while!!
All the best sorting out the leak- would be interested to learn how anyone gets on should they decide to try this stuff or indeed any other high quality water sealing additive.
Must get back to the garage now and skin a few more knuckles. Changing the clutch, flywheel and thrust bearing on the coupe. No disgrace after 63000 miles- clutch didn’t wear out but the thrust bearing packed it. Thankfully not a big job on a manual- just time consuming!! Got an upgraded thrust bearing from Hill Engineering as the thrust bearing packed in on my last 4200 at around 68000 miles.
All the hairy breast,
Terry