i'm really troubled by how much my 79 vette leaks coolant, it looks like it's coming from the passenger side, my dad said it's the heater coil and it needs to be replaced, anyone know how to replace a heater coil, hopefully replacing that will stop the coolant leak . please and thanks for any help. i love my c3 even though it seems that something allways goes wrong.

 

Think you want to verify where the leak is coming from first..it could be from the heater hose connections on the firewall....

 

i think i replaced the heater hose before, i'll check again to make sure its not leaking from there again, thanks for the help

 

Check the heater hose nipples very close at the firewall.....

 

I would by-pass the heater core first to prove that it is, or isn't the problem. We used to do that a lot in Florida since we seldom use heaters.

 

thanks for the help, i really do appreciate it, i like how other c3 owners help each other thats why i like owning a c3 because others are willing to help because we have a passion for these cars that are a pieces of art, so thanks again for the help

 

You are talking about a heater core not heater coil. First of all if your heater core is bad you will usually have anti-freeze leaking inside the car especially on the passenger side on the rug. Not being able to look at the car, based on what you are saying the leak is probably a heater hose leaking. Maybe just a hose clamp needs to be tightened up or you may just have a bad hose. Put the car up on jack stands or a lift to take a look.

A word of advice. Unless you are mechanically inclined and have done plenty of work on cars I wouldn't attemp replacing the heater core yourself. On a C-3 Corvette especially one with a/c it is a very big job. I did one on a 72' Coupe that I owned back in the 70's. You need to pull the center cluster and right side of dash out to do the job. Actually my 73' has a bad core in it right now and I have it bypassed until I can find the time to replace it. I don't drive the car in the winter time so I am not in any hurry to do it right now.

Fred

 

it's not leaking inside the car, but it looks like the leak is on the passenger side. how do i bypass the heater core, i don't even need to use the heater even in winter, the heat from the engine alone keeps me warm.

 

I used this method on mine...just a 90 degree hose fitting..

 

thanks for the help

 

Go to any parts store where their are people who know something about cars, not somewhere where they know nothing and have to look your car up in a computer like Pep Boys and Autozone etc. Ask for a adapter to connect 5/8" heater hose to 3/4" heater hose. Disconnect the 2 heater hoses from under the car where they connect to the heater core and with the adapter put them together with hose clamps.

A word of advice. If your heater core is not leaking I would not do this. Just replace the bad hose or hoses or tightened up on the hose clamps. If you take it to a garage they have a tool that connects to the top of your radiator. With this tool they will pump up some pressure into your radiator and this will expose the leak for you in the cooling system. I happen to own one of these tools myself for when I can't find a coolant leak. Good luck!

Another word of advice. When disconnecting the heater hoses be careful not to break the lines going to your heater core. I have seen this happen plenty of times. If replacing the hose take a razor blade and slit the hose at the connection so that you could peel it off. When putting the new hose on take some spray silicone and spray some into the hose before installing it and it will slide right on.