Defroster/Heater Core/Radiator
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,305
Likes: 2
From: Havelock NC
Defroster/Heater Core/Radiator
My problem: The windshield fogs up like no other with what seems to almost be a film, not condensation, and it just won't go away when the defroster is on. When I turn the heat on there is a slight smell of radiator fluid. Is there anyway that there's a pin hole in a cooling line, that is somehow leaking into my heater system and evaporating causing the film on my windshield?
Race Director
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 16,950
Likes: 0
From: Stafford, Virginia Kittah, Kittah, Kittah...
Re: Defroster/Heater Core/Radiator (tarheelracer)
Sounds like you hit the nail on the head... I haven't had a bad core in the Vette yet, but in every other car, when the heater core went it fogged the windshield, smelled like antifreeze, and left a film on the inside of the windshield...
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,305
Likes: 2
From: Havelock NC
Re: Defroster/Heater Core/Radiator (6spd.89)
Well.....The positive thing is that's my first correct diagnosis, but the negative thing is I have to buy a heater core. Thanks for the help.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,320
Likes: 4
From: Kyle TX (Because Mojo Made me fill it in)
Re: Defroster/Heater Core/Radiator (tarheelracer)
Not to make this worse for you, but "buying" the heater core will be the easiest part of that project. Ive heard it is easier getting money from a pan-handler than changing the heater core. Good luck.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 3,750
Likes: 1
From: San Jose CA
Re: Defroster/Heater Core/Radiator (tarheelracer)
I replaced my heater core about a year ago, and it is one ugly job. You pretty much have to tear the passenger side of the dash apart. In order to do that yuo have to be a contortionist. I spent a fair amount of time upside down, or twisted in the passenger well, getting all the bolts out.
If you do it yourself, make sure you have the best 7mm socket you can buy. A cheap socket makes some of the bolts almost impossible to get out.
Someone has excellent instructions posted on their website, hopefully they will jump in and post it for you
If you do it yourself, make sure you have the best 7mm socket you can buy. A cheap socket makes some of the bolts almost impossible to get out.
Someone has excellent instructions posted on their website, hopefully they will jump in and post it for you
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 843
Likes: 2
From: Nashua New Hampshire
Re: Defroster/Heater Core/Radiator (tarheelracer)
I had to remove my passenger side knee panel to recarpet it. It actually turned out easier than I had expected. Once out, the heater box is sitting right in front of you, and needs just a couple additional things removed/moved to get access to it. Look at:
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c4/gh86e/indexrp1.shtml
See that roundish black thing behind the cross brace in the 5th & 6th pictures? It'd take me about 50-60 minutes to get back to this point should I ever have to replace the heater core. Essentially, take off the dash plates, the dash top, the lower kick panel, take out the passenger seat, and then the knee panel. Passenger seat doesn't have to come out, but the job is much easier when you can lie down in the seat area (with your feet in the rear hatch area) and look up into this area. Then you easily see how to get sockets in there to get things apart.
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c4/gh86e/indexrp1.shtml
See that roundish black thing behind the cross brace in the 5th & 6th pictures? It'd take me about 50-60 minutes to get back to this point should I ever have to replace the heater core. Essentially, take off the dash plates, the dash top, the lower kick panel, take out the passenger seat, and then the knee panel. Passenger seat doesn't have to come out, but the job is much easier when you can lie down in the seat area (with your feet in the rear hatch area) and look up into this area. Then you easily see how to get sockets in there to get things apart.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Pro
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 715
Likes: 0
From: Warner Robins GA
Re: Defroster/Heater Core/Radiator (tarheelracer)
Mine started doing that this weekend. The smell is especially noticable when I get on it a little bit. Then I looked at my passenger side floor and noticed a bit of wetness.. sure enough, antifreeze. If yours hasn't gotten to that point yet, you can probably expect it soon.
Same other symptoms though.. constantly fogged window, slight coolant smell, etc. My verdict is heater core, so I'm having it replaced tomorrow. $200 from my mechanic, closer to $800 from a dealership.
Same other symptoms though.. constantly fogged window, slight coolant smell, etc. My verdict is heater core, so I'm having it replaced tomorrow. $200 from my mechanic, closer to $800 from a dealership.