90 Vert -Suspect Heater Core Problem...
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 115
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From: Cicero, IN "Change is inevitable, except from vending machines"
90 Vert -Suspect Heater Core Problem...
I have a fairly stock 90 Vert with 50K miles, I started smelling coolant in the passanger compartment while driving. It's kind of smelled for as long as I've owned it. I have been feeling around under the passanger side and it's dry. I don't see any coolant under the car. But the smell keeps getting worse.
Also when I turn on the HVAC - I get severe windshield fogging and a really bad coolant smell. It is almost impossible to defog the window unless you turn off the HVAC and open the windows.
A friend and long time vette owner says his 90 did the same thing and it was the heater core.
How can I confirm this and is this a take it to the shop job or what?
Thanks for any ideas or inputs!
Steve
Also when I turn on the HVAC - I get severe windshield fogging and a really bad coolant smell. It is almost impossible to defog the window unless you turn off the HVAC and open the windows.
A friend and long time vette owner says his 90 did the same thing and it was the heater core.
How can I confirm this and is this a take it to the shop job or what?
Thanks for any ideas or inputs!
Steve
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,277
Likes: 236
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
Sure sounds like core 
I bought my 86 just after they replace the core. Still smelled like coolant so i dropped the passenger foot panel. There was coolant soaked into the foam that is glued to the back side of it. Quick check of that panel may show signs.
Pressurizing the cooling system will tell you if you have a leak.
I bought my 86 just after they replace the core. Still smelled like coolant so i dropped the passenger foot panel. There was coolant soaked into the foam that is glued to the back side of it. Quick check of that panel may show signs.
Pressurizing the cooling system will tell you if you have a leak.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,564
Likes: 6
From: Woodstock Georgia
I looked at buying a 90 vette with known bad heater core. Called the dealer for phone quote and they told me it was 7.5 hr job. That's lot of labor for $50 heater core, but I understand it is one pita job. (I passed on the 90 vette. it had some other problems as well).
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 115
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From: Cicero, IN "Change is inevitable, except from vending machines"
Thanks for the feedback & replies. Jimmers, are you saying that you can bypass it (then you don't have any heat) but can still drive the vehicle? Or is that only in diagnosis mode? Curious -
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 22,209
Likes: 12
From: OBAMA IS HITLER
heater core is something i don't want to frazzle myself over. little patience. my shop charged 3 hrs. labor when i had it done on my previous '90.
don't go to the dealer for anything, no how no way. they'll be absolutely sure to rape you at book rates no matter what it really takes. 7.5 hours is more than generous (to them). accelerated production ya know..........
don't go to the dealer for anything, no how no way. they'll be absolutely sure to rape you at book rates no matter what it really takes. 7.5 hours is more than generous (to them). accelerated production ya know..........
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,564
Likes: 6
From: Woodstock Georgia
Originally Posted by music_man
I have a fairly stock 90 Vert with 50K miles, I started smelling coolant in the passanger compartment while driving. It's kind of smelled for as long as I've owned it. I have been feeling around under the passanger side and it's dry. I don't see any coolant under the car. But the smell keeps getting worse.
Also when I turn on the HVAC - I get severe windshield fogging and a really bad coolant smell. It is almost impossible to defog the window unless you turn off the HVAC and open the windows.
A friend and long time vette owner says his 90 did the same thing and it was the heater core.
How can I confirm this and is this a take it to the shop job or what?
Thanks for any ideas or inputs!
Steve
Also when I turn on the HVAC - I get severe windshield fogging and a really bad coolant smell. It is almost impossible to defog the window unless you turn off the HVAC and open the windows.
A friend and long time vette owner says his 90 did the same thing and it was the heater core.
How can I confirm this and is this a take it to the shop job or what?
Thanks for any ideas or inputs!
Steve
pieces. DO NOT USE GARDEN HOSE. It may not take the hot water.
PS--while keeping the Bars-Leak mixture hot on the grill I also pulled up a lawn chair and few brews, cooked a steak, and thoroughly entertained the neighbors.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 13,269
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From: Sharpsburg Georgia
GA Events Coordinator
Originally Posted by aminnich
Here is a really cheap fix thought for you, and if it works great, if not nothing lost. I don't suggest running Bars-Leak thru a cooling system, even though it usually does great job of fixing minor leaks like you seem to have. So isolate the heater core from rest of the cooling system, run Bars-Leak thru just the heater core for about 1 hour, then flush it good, hook everything back up, top off the coolant, and with luck it will stop the leak. I did that on an old Chevy pick-up and it never leaked again over the next 3 yrs I owned the truck. You will need large pot and way to heat the water/Bar's Leak mixture in the pot (Charcoal Grill worked for me), a cheap drill powered water pump, and a few hose adapter's (pvc from Home Depot) and 2 metal garden hose end repair
pieces. DO NOT USE GARDEN HOSE. It may not take the hot water.
PS--while keeping the Bars-Leak mixture hot on the grill I also pulled up a lawn chair and few brews, cooked a steak, and thoroughly entertained the neighbors.
pieces. DO NOT USE GARDEN HOSE. It may not take the hot water.
PS--while keeping the Bars-Leak mixture hot on the grill I also pulled up a lawn chair and few brews, cooked a steak, and thoroughly entertained the neighbors.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Cicero, IN "Change is inevitable, except from vending machines"
Man! You guys are very creative.... Thanks for the idea's.
I called my shop buddy and he is going to shoot me a price. From there - I have to make some decisions..... I think your idea about circulating stop leak in only the heater core is a great idea!
I called my shop buddy and he is going to shoot me a price. From there - I have to make some decisions..... I think your idea about circulating stop leak in only the heater core is a great idea!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 115
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From: Cicero, IN "Change is inevitable, except from vending machines"
Originally Posted by aminnich
Here is a really cheap fix thought for you, and if it works great, if not nothing lost. I don't suggest running Bars-Leak thru a cooling system, even though it usually does great job of fixing minor leaks like you seem to have. So isolate the heater core from rest of the cooling system, run Bars-Leak thru just the heater core for about 1 hour, then flush it good, hook everything back up, top off the coolant, and with luck it will stop the leak. I did that on an old Chevy pick-up and it never leaked again over the next 3 yrs I owned the truck. You will need large pot and way to heat the water/Bar's Leak mixture in the pot (Charcoal Grill worked for me), a cheap drill powered water pump, and a few hose adapter's (pvc from Home Depot) and 2 metal garden hose end repair
pieces. DO NOT USE GARDEN HOSE. It may not take the hot water.
PS--while keeping the Bars-Leak mixture hot on the grill I also pulled up a lawn chair and few brews, cooked a steak, and thoroughly entertained the neighbors.
pieces. DO NOT USE GARDEN HOSE. It may not take the hot water.
PS--while keeping the Bars-Leak mixture hot on the grill I also pulled up a lawn chair and few brews, cooked a steak, and thoroughly entertained the neighbors.
Thanks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,564
Likes: 6
From: Woodstock Georgia
I used a big pot, used to be kitchen pot, think it held almost 4 gallons. Preheated the water on stove first. Read bottle instructions on the Bar's Leak, but do over-concentrate it. This is not rocket science for sure, just another improvised solution.
Maybe I should work out full design system and patent it?
Maybe I should work out full design system and patent it?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,146
Likes: 3
From: The Motor City
7 hours @70+per hr. labor is a lot. I think it would take me longer
Good suggestion on trying a repair, could 'nt hurt to try since it is a PITA job (seen to many posts/pics on this) and the above method keeps it out of the rest of the system.
Good suggestion on trying a repair, could 'nt hurt to try since it is a PITA job (seen to many posts/pics on this) and the above method keeps it out of the rest of the system.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 4,931
Likes: 3
From: Fort Lauderdale FL
I had the same problems on my 87 vert 2 years ago. I decided to take on the job myself and I was happy that I did. the first time I did it.. I did it over a course of few days. Took my time. If I ever had to do it again, I know it can be done in 4 hr or so time. Not as bad as everyone makes it out to be.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Cicero, IN "Change is inevitable, except from vending machines"
My shop is calling it 7hours and says it's a real PIA. They have done alot of work in the past and are reliable. I'm going to try the bypass and Barsleak and see if that solves the problem. If that fails, I will have this one done. Thanks you all!
5th Gear
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5
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This is the worst job by far
I had the same problem and it was my heater core. From start to finish it toke me over 9 hours of work to finish this project. I must say that this job really take some time and patience. If you are going to do this job get yourself some parts bags and label, label label, your stuff. Good luck on this, and if your need some advice on how to do it let me know. I can tell you what all I did wrong and learned from.
john
john