Heater core leak
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 525
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, Ca
Heater core leak
My poor boy sprung a leak! Took him out for a cruise yesterday and noticed a coolant smell. Come to find my carpet on the passenger side is soaked! Looks like my weekend is going to be booked up. Can anyone give me some tips before I get started? I think I got a good idea of how to attack it, but I haven't attempted it before so don't want to make a rookey mistake. Any tips would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Christ
[Modified by Black'69, 6:17 PM 12/3/2002]
Thanks in advance,
Christ
[Modified by Black'69, 6:17 PM 12/3/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,103
Likes: 0
From: Tucson AZ
Re: Heater core leak (Black'69)
With A/C, it must be reached from the dash side, without A/C easy access under the hood. Great tech article from Juliet @ http://www.1970corvetteregistry.org/
'click' the 'links' under guestbook on the left side. There are links for A/C and non A/C.
Short term fix is to bypass the heater core.
'click' the 'links' under guestbook on the left side. There are links for A/C and non A/C.
Short term fix is to bypass the heater core.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
Re: Heater core leak (Robert N)
I havent tried it but I will be interested in hearing how it goes for you since we have similar cars and I may want to have heat in mine some day.. :) Just from reading about the experiences of others my only suggestion would be to not save a few pennies on an autoparts store heater core. Buy the AC delco replacement because you wont want to do the job again anytime soon! :) MJ
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 525
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, Ca
Re: Heater core leak (Black'69)
Robert,
Went to Juliet's site. Just my luck, the link to the non ac is broken. I sent her an email, so here's hoping she'll get it working. Just the same, I plan on taking several pics and maybe posting an article in the tech section when I fix it for future reference.
Christ
Went to Juliet's site. Just my luck, the link to the non ac is broken. I sent her an email, so here's hoping she'll get it working. Just the same, I plan on taking several pics and maybe posting an article in the tech section when I fix it for future reference.
Christ
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Re: Heater core leak (Black'69)
The non-A/C core replacement album is mine. It was on PhotoPoint which went bankrupt so it was lost. I still have the pics individually. Here are a few.
[Modified by paul79, 8:03 PM 12/3/2002]
[Modified by paul79, 8:05 PM 12/3/2002]
[Modified by paul79, 8:08 PM 12/3/2002]
[Modified by paul79, 8:11 PM 12/3/2002]
[Modified by paul79, 8:03 PM 12/3/2002]
[Modified by paul79, 8:05 PM 12/3/2002]
[Modified by paul79, 8:08 PM 12/3/2002]
[Modified by paul79, 8:11 PM 12/3/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,310
Likes: 1
Re: Heater core leak (Black'69)
If you're interested (and can wait for it), I can send you a May 1999 Corvette Fever article about replacing the heater core. Just email me your postal address.
Someone had the good suggestion in a previous heater core thread to have the new one pressure tested before installation. That may sound weird, but once you've seen how much is involved in replacing the HC, you may agree it's a good idea.
I pulled my passenger seat to get the carpet out so I could clean it. I left the seat out during installation; I think that gave me a lot more room to work. I also decided to take the driver's seat out and put heat sheilding under the carpets (some while-you're-at-it-stuff).
Good Luck.
Someone had the good suggestion in a previous heater core thread to have the new one pressure tested before installation. That may sound weird, but once you've seen how much is involved in replacing the HC, you may agree it's a good idea.
I pulled my passenger seat to get the carpet out so I could clean it. I left the seat out during installation; I think that gave me a lot more room to work. I also decided to take the driver's seat out and put heat sheilding under the carpets (some while-you're-at-it-stuff).
Good Luck.
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Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster PA
Re: Heater core leak (Black'69)
Warning! Warning! Warning! While the previous posters are correct - it is a fairly straightforward task to replace the heater core, they forgot to warn you of a serious side effect. Replacing components can cause a serious case of while-I'm-in-there-itis. I started working on replacing my heater core last summer, and now the entire rear suspension is out of the car. I still have no idea how I got there. :confused: :eek:
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
From: Norwood MA
Re: Heater core leak (Black'69)
It's not that bad to do. Patience is the key here. Just did mine last week, but the new core had a leak....So don't but everything back together until you test it.
While I'm at it :) I'm dyeing the interior to freshen it up, since half the dash is out.
Pat
While I'm at it :) I'm dyeing the interior to freshen it up, since half the dash is out.
Pat
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 525
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, Ca
Re: Heater core leak (Black'69)
Thanks for the tips and the pics guys. I'll attempt it this weekend and see how it goes. Looks pretty strait forward. Jerry, I should have the same article somewhere in my pile. I'll let you know if I can't find it. It would be nice if Corvette Fever or Vette mag came up with a binder of tech articles that we could buy instead of having to dig through all those past issues. Anyway, Thanks!
Christ
Christ
