coolant leak question
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,747
Likes: 1
From: Port McNicoll Ontario
coolant leak question
I don't know for sure if I have a coolant leak but my low coolant light used to come on when the car was cold. Now it stays on.
Every once in a while I smell coolant while I'm driving. The other night I had the heat on and my front window was fogging up. The defrost wouldn't clear it, just kept getting worse. I had to rub it with a cloth to be able to see. A friend told me coolant leak will do that and another friend told me he had a heater core go and it did this.
Has anyone had similar symptoms? Where is the heater core and how hard of a swap is it?
Thank you.
Every once in a while I smell coolant while I'm driving. The other night I had the heat on and my front window was fogging up. The defrost wouldn't clear it, just kept getting worse. I had to rub it with a cloth to be able to see. A friend told me coolant leak will do that and another friend told me he had a heater core go and it did this.
Has anyone had similar symptoms? Where is the heater core and how hard of a swap is it?
Thank you.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,747
Likes: 1
From: Port McNicoll Ontario
I just read a thread about changing my heater core.
sounds like a pain in the a..but, but do-able.
What about the Barr stop leak stuff? is it worth a try or am I just postponing the inevitable? Does that stuff work on heater cores?
Thanks
sounds like a pain in the a..but, but do-able.
What about the Barr stop leak stuff? is it worth a try or am I just postponing the inevitable? Does that stuff work on heater cores?
Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,032
Likes: 4
You can try stop leak... some have had luck with it. You just add it to your coolant, and turn your heater on, it should circulate through that. Of course any coolant already in your heater will continue coming out of the vent...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,018
Likes: 1
From: OR
I've used a product called alumaseal for years. It works ok on small leaks in radiators and gaskets. Doesn't hurt to try. If it were me I'd be mentally preparing myself for replacing the heater core though in case it doesn't work well enough. You describe the symptoms of a heater core leak exactly which are (1) the smell, (2) fogging windows that gets worse with the defroster on, (3) wet carpet on the passenger side. Open the hood and look to where the heater hoses go to the fire wall. Those two brass tubes that the hoses hook to are part of the heater core. The rest of it looks like a miniature radiator and is on the other side of the fire wall.
6th Gear
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 6
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From: San Diego CA
I used stop leak once on a heater core, it was not a corvette but heater cores quite similar. I could see the wet spot on the corner of the core. It worked fine and that was years ago. It has A/C and gets a little warm but still no leakey.t
It is my understanding that when most cars are a built the first thing they do is place the heater core on the floor and build the car around it ;-}
It is my understanding that when most cars are a built the first thing they do is place the heater core on the floor and build the car around it ;-}
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Originally Posted by 87 rag
I don't know for sure if I have a coolant leak but my low coolant light used to come on when the car was cold. Now it stays on.
Every once in a while I smell coolant while I'm driving. The other night I had the heat on and my front window was fogging up. The defrost wouldn't clear it, just kept getting worse. I had to rub it with a cloth to be able to see. A friend told me coolant leak will do that and another friend told me he had a heater core go and it did this.
Has anyone had similar symptoms? Where is the heater core and how hard of a swap is it?
Thank you.
Every once in a while I smell coolant while I'm driving. The other night I had the heat on and my front window was fogging up. The defrost wouldn't clear it, just kept getting worse. I had to rub it with a cloth to be able to see. A friend told me coolant leak will do that and another friend told me he had a heater core go and it did this.
Has anyone had similar symptoms? Where is the heater core and how hard of a swap is it?
Thank you.
Jack
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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by roger-88-Z51
It is my understanding that when most cars are a built the first thing they do is place the heater core on the floor and build the car around it ;-}
RACE ON!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,032
Likes: 4
Originally Posted by CFI-EFI
OnAnother way to prevent the impending interior waterfall, is to remove the heater hoses at the firewall and connect them together, eliminating the heater core (and heat) from the circuit. Good luck, and...
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
I'll probably do that when my heater core kicks the bucket...
After all, it's not like the car sees the winter and cold weather.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
It matters where you live....
I live is south Florida and could live my life here without a heater. In that case I would bypass it. If you live up north and you drive during the winter, you have to bite the bullit and replace the heater core. Good luck.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,747
Likes: 1
From: Port McNicoll Ontario
Thanks guys, I'll try the alumiseal and see how I make out.
I only bought the car in the spring so who knows if this is the first time for it or if it has been an ongoing problem. I will prepare myself for the inevitable. I live in Canada and won't be driving the car in the winter but the spring and fall have some pretty chilly nights that require a heater. Not for me of course, but for the lady in the passenger seat.
Thanks again.
I only bought the car in the spring so who knows if this is the first time for it or if it has been an ongoing problem. I will prepare myself for the inevitable. I live in Canada and won't be driving the car in the winter but the spring and fall have some pretty chilly nights that require a heater. Not for me of course, but for the lady in the passenger seat.
Thanks again.
