saoco

I have a similar problem like Mrmoore's thread titled "coolant leak between motor and firewall" My vette came from florida and now sits in NY, A/C works fine and I've driven the car for months with no visible leaks, overheating or low coolant warnings on the display panel.

but here is the big difference: just recently on a cool rainy day I checked to see If the heater worked properly and I was upset to find out that It didn't, so I went to my mechanic to quickly check the problem and we found out that the heater core has been bypassed, the hose that is small and curvy attached to the heater box was unplugged so we reinstalled it and plugged the bypass hose coming from the radiator to the heater core box. Now Im waiting for the heat to work and instead I get a low coolant warning light plus the heater is NOT working and the water/coolant is leaking like a river between the motor and firewall directly under the heater box in the engine bay and not inside the car as it typically does when the heater core goes bad. My question is before I pay or try to change the core is there any hose near, under, or around the box other than the ones facing the front of the engine(those are good) that If broken may cause a leak directly under the heater core box making the coolant leak outside the car and not inside also suggesting that the heater core may be good and working and my problem may be something else, I will check under the car this sunday to see If I can fix the problem but mean time I will take all the advise I can get.

ps. When I unplugged the curvy hose on the heater box and reinstalled the bypass hose, the leak stoped, the low coolant warning light went away and the car is fine but no heat, Im in NY so heat will be a must very soon, please help. Thanks in advance.

vinnies87

1st: Its always a good thing to give the year and engine, and 2nd: is post a pic, definately help here to diag the issue.:
Without anything, i would think that you have a heater core gone bad...

JrRifleCoach

The good news is a new core is about 60 bucks.

I'll let someone else fill in the rest

saoco

sorry guys, I have a 1992 corvette, 6 speed, LT1 engine. thanks

aminnich

The bad news is they basically started with a heater core and built the car around it. Dealers/shops will charge 6-8hrs to change the core.

GIJoe

The better news is that you can buy a nice warm coat for $100, then spend $10 on a heater hose worm gear clam ps and just bypass the core altogether

Been there done that, ruined the tshirt.

bogus

let's see... to replace the heater core on a 92 vette...

Step 1: Take apart car.

Step 2: Replace heater core.

Step 3: Reassemble car.

Total time? 14 hours, for a rookie. Under 10 if you have done it before. Under 3 hours if you use a Sawzall.

toptechx6

Suppose it is possible that the coolant from the leaking core is running out the A/C condensation drain but don't think there are any happy endings to this story.

rocco16

My advice is to find another mechanic.

Larry
code5coupe

aminnich

Whoever he bought the vette from knew it had a bad core, probably also knew what it cost to replace. Wander if he said that when he sold it??

bogus

I seriously doubt it.

saoco

nope the guy that sold me the vette never mentioned any heating problems but he did say that the a/c worked greeeeat. ok so now I know that there is no escape from changing the heater core so I will make time soon to do it because the vette is my dd and cold weather will be here soon, wish me luck

aminnich

Probably the worst job to do. Check out tech tips here before you wade into it. Also, got digital camera? Take plenty of pics as you tear into it so you know for sure what goes where in going back together.

saoco

thanks for the tips, I will be careful!!!