coolant leak
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Babylon NY
coolant leak
ive been finding coolant puddles in my garage the morning after a day of driving. I can also smell the coolant blowing into the cockpit when the heat is on. With milder weather i drove without the heat on and the next morning found no coolant on the garage floor. Someone mentioned heater core. So now we know the car doesnt leak if the heat isnt turned on. Where do i go from here???
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
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From: Longview Texas
Is there any residue on the insdie of the windshield? Usually, if the heater core is leaking, and you can smell antifreeze, you see some signs of it inside the car.
I would be trying to pinpoint the exact place the drip is coming from.
It is not an easy job to replace the heater core. You have to remove the intake manifold, and then remove the whole HVAC module.
I would be trying to pinpoint the exact place the drip is coming from.
It is not an easy job to replace the heater core. You have to remove the intake manifold, and then remove the whole HVAC module.
Last edited by TEXHAWK0; Dec 24, 2006 at 11:00 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,289
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From: Providence Forge, VA
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
The first thing I'd do is a close inspection and see if you can determine where exactly the coolant is leaking from. One other clue is where the coolant on the floor is in relation to the engine/passenger compartment. Once you determine where its leaking from the solutions will follow. 
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
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From: At the beach in little Rhody
The other thing to do is put down a cardboard or some other clean item that you can park the car on, mark the wheel locations after you park and then when you move it you can help pinpoint where the drip is coming from. A 2001 isn't that old so the heater core may not be the issue, at least hopefully not.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,276
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From: Farmington CT
Cruise-In VII Veteran
pinpoint the source
sounds like the heater core is leaking and coming out the hvac box drain tube
very uncommon, but could happen
if it's the heater core and you need it replaced give me a call
sounds like the heater core is leaking and coming out the hvac box drain tube
very uncommon, but could happen
if it's the heater core and you need it replaced give me a call
Drifting
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,917
Likes: 3
From: Southern NH
ive been finding coolant puddles in my garage the morning after a day of driving. I can also smell the coolant blowing into the cockpit when the heat is on. With milder weather i drove without the heat on and the next morning found no coolant on the garage floor. Someone mentioned heater core. So now we know the car doesnt leak if the heat isnt turned on. Where do i go from here???
Keep in mind that coolant is circulating through the heater core all the time - not only when you select HEAT. The air temperature is heated by directing airflow through the heater core fins but the heater core is always hot.
So with that in mind and since you can smell coolant inside the car the problem is either a leak somewhere near the heater core or it's possible it's in the engine compartment and the smell is coming in through the fresh air intakes.
As stated above, once you pinpoint the location of the leak, which should be fairly easy since you have enough of a puddle, that should tell you what needs to be repaired.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 68
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From: Babylon NY
I will try to pinpoint the source but havent seen anything even from underneath. I do see that the crosspipe in front of the belts has a lot of crap caked on it. Looks like whatever is leaking drips onto that then onto the ground. I will keep investigating. Thanks for your input so far guys.
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