Heater core or rain leak?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 473
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From: Raleigh NC
Heater core or rain leak?
I noticed this afternoon (actually my 3 yr old son noticed it) that the carpet in the passenger footwell was damp. I immediately thought heater core, but further investigation indicated no dampness anywhere but the footwell at the low point. Nothing on the sides or the rear.
I always thought it would leak and run down the back wall, but this is not happening. I can pull the carpet down against the back wall and there is no moisture or evidence of dampness.
Where/how does a heater core typically leak?
We did have 3 inches of rain in 1 hr on Friday night here.
I always thought it would leak and run down the back wall, but this is not happening. I can pull the carpet down against the back wall and there is no moisture or evidence of dampness.
Where/how does a heater core typically leak?
We did have 3 inches of rain in 1 hr on Friday night here.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,310
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Re: Heater core or rain leak? (hudman)
Where/how does a heater core typically leak?
It could be leaking down the firewall without you being able to feel it in the carpet. Are you running anti-freeze? Typically, you will be able to smell it. If you have a wet vac or a shampoo-er you would be able to see the anti-freeze. You might also get a foggy film on the windshield if you run the defrost.
You could always be lucky (if you have A/C, that is) and it be a simple water leak. Not that that's a good thing but changing the HC in my AC car was a pain in the butt.
Good Luck.
It could be leaking down the firewall without you being able to feel it in the carpet. Are you running anti-freeze? Typically, you will be able to smell it. If you have a wet vac or a shampoo-er you would be able to see the anti-freeze. You might also get a foggy film on the windshield if you run the defrost.
You could always be lucky (if you have A/C, that is) and it be a simple water leak. Not that that's a good thing but changing the HC in my AC car was a pain in the butt.
Good Luck.
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Re: Heater core or rain leak? (hudman)
Hudman
Sounds like rain? That usually seems to get in either via the top of the screen, or through the firewall behind the cash. That means it drips about where your foot/ankles would be in you were in the seat with legs partly outstretched. Does that seem about right? As you have convertible, it seems likely, or is that an insult to your top's fit?!
I'd go along with the thought that you's smell the heater core leaking... I could smell the tiny leak in our radiator recently from inside the car, on the move!
Stephen
Sounds like rain? That usually seems to get in either via the top of the screen, or through the firewall behind the cash. That means it drips about where your foot/ankles would be in you were in the seat with legs partly outstretched. Does that seem about right? As you have convertible, it seems likely, or is that an insult to your top's fit?!
I'd go along with the thought that you's smell the heater core leaking... I could smell the tiny leak in our radiator recently from inside the car, on the move!
Stephen
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Roanoke Virginia
Re: Heater core or rain leak? (Stephen Irons)
I had the same thing happening in my 1972, and discovered it was caused by a slight gap between the rear pillar and door weatheringstripping on the passenger side. Water would flow along the back of the door, drip down onto the metal body sill, and then flow along and dump out in the passenger foot well.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 473
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From: Raleigh NC
Re: Heater core or rain leak? (Alwyn678)
Thanks for the posts.
Right now it does not smell like anti freeze. Just a little musty.
I have tried to soak it up and see if it was green. Cant seem to find anything that will show me. I do not have a wet dry vac.
I will keep trying.
Hudman
Right now it does not smell like anti freeze. Just a little musty.
I have tried to soak it up and see if it was green. Cant seem to find anything that will show me. I do not have a wet dry vac.
I will keep trying.
Hudman
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Re: Heater core or rain leak? (hudman)
Warm it up real well and turn on your defroster. It it's your heater core, your windshield will fog up pretty quickly. Don't ask me how I know.
