coolant leak
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Tulare CA
coolant leak
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.
. please and thanks for any help. i love my c3 even though it seems that something allways goes wrong.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 16,100
Likes: 17
Originally Posted by jag2241
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 
Last edited by rihwoods; Jul 19, 2006 at 12:06 AM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Tulare CA
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 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,817
Likes: 21
From: Somerset, NJ
Originally Posted by jag2241
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.
. please and thanks for any help. i love my c3 even though it seems that something allways goes wrong.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
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Tulare CA
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.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,817
Likes: 21
From: Somerset, NJ
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.
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.