View Full Version : Bad heater core?
I have a 96 Cobra and I have what appears to be coolant coming out of a drain hole in my passenger side firewall. Does this mean my heater core is done? Any ideas on where to get one?
MichaelsLilGray
10-20-2007, 05:41 PM
I dont think its the heater core... When mine went out.. it didnt drain out... the side of the car that is... it went straight to my floor boards.... Check all your lines once more, if you havnt done so already
I dont think its the heater core... When mine went out.. it didnt drain out... the side of the car that is... it went straight to my floor boards.... Check all your lines once more, if you havnt done so already
yep. the core is actually inside the car. Unless they made it where it will leak outside the car when they go south. They are a PITA to change so make damn sure thats it before you change it. If it is the core, most autoparts stores have them, they are cheap, but take hours to change
speedfreak87
10-20-2007, 07:10 PM
sounds like the line to the core is leaking and no the core it self. they leak inside the car for the most part. I did one on my 87gt and I had to remove the dash because I had A/C.. be ready for a full day's worth of work if you do it yourself, it you decide to take it somewhere, go to the dealer and not some shmoe shop.
But check all the hoses first and do a pressure test to find any leaks.
MichaelsLilGray
10-20-2007, 09:19 PM
wow all that sounded familure... i guess i was right XD
MichaelsLilGray
10-20-2007, 09:20 PM
but seriously.. when mine went bad.. my passenger side floor boards were soaked with anifreeze... it also was hell because it was winter.. and it made that poor car reick of the coolant
sounds like the line to the core is leaking and no the core it self. they leak inside the car for the most part. I did one on my 87gt and I had to remove the dash because I had A/C.. be ready for a full day's worth of work if you do it yourself, it you decide to take it somewhere, go to the dealer and not some shmoe shop.
But check all the hoses first and do a pressure test to find any leaks.
Advise from a friend of mine is this: The heater core is surrounded by a case that is designed to protect the interior of your car in the event that the core decides to burst. He said that if there is coolant leaking from there, then the core is shot. He said there should be water coming from there to get rid of condensaton fromthe A/C though. I will have my wife check and see if the floor boards are wet.
When my heater core went out on my 88LX (also during the winter) the steam fogged up my windshield and the reek was unbelievable. The passenger side tire well was filled with antifreeze. Yuck.... A new Heatercore was only $15 and I bribed my son in law to change it out. Darren wouldn't touch it. lol
I have a 96 Cobra and I have what appears to be coolant coming out of a drain hole in my passenger side firewall. Does this mean my heater core is done? Any ideas on where to get one?
Well, it's only two possibilities in my mind, and this "appears to be coolant" is key. You HAVE to nail down whether it's coolant or not. If it is the core or even a line to the core the liquid would be warm to hot to the touch depending on operating temp. If its cold, I suspect then its the condensation drain clogged (from the A/C). The drain is easier to correct (sometimes ;-) ), but both problems are not fun at all.
In my experiences (6 so far) with heater core failures, they DONT go slowly. You might notice a small leak for a day or two, but THEN, get ready for Niagra Falls - or should I say sauna - inside the cab.
I'd have the tools necessary, along with fittings and hose(if needed), to run a bypass cause if this happens on the road - your done until you get a bypass in place and more water/coolant in the system. Keep em in the trunk ;-).
I ran my '94 T-bird on bypass for two years. Course I live in Texas ;-).
Good luck ! Hope its something simple.
speedfreak87
10-21-2007, 02:32 PM
Advise from a friend of mine is this: The heater core is surrounded by a case that is designed to protect the interior of your car in the event that the core decides to burst. He said that if there is coolant leaking from there, then the core is shot. He said there should be water coming from there to get rid of condensaton fromthe A/C though. I will have my wife check and see if the floor boards are wet.
Yeah they are encased in plastic, but that doesn't stop the interior leak. lol! let us know.
Well, my car is at home in WA and I am in.......the East, we will say. I will be home by middle of Nov though. Update; floor boards are dry as a bone; dont know if the fluid is coolant as my wife probably cant tell the diff.
speedfreak87
10-22-2007, 01:02 PM
it's probably the A/C drain. or if it is coolant, it's a leaking hose.
it's probably the A/C drain. or if it is coolant, it's a leaking hose.
But if there was a leaking hose, wouldnt it leak onto my floorboards?
But if there was a leaking hose, wouldnt it leak onto my floorboards?
Nope. the inlet and outlet are in the engine compartment. They go through the firewall
MichaelsLilGray
10-22-2007, 03:51 PM
The Heater Core isnt visible from the engine bay. just 2 outlets for the hoses to connect to. Thats why i say if its in the car hearter core hands down. if its on the outside.. possibly just have a lean in the hose end. If they havnt been replaced in a couple of years... damn near a decade... its probably the problem.
OrionBrazeal
10-22-2007, 05:03 PM
I would say so. my heater core went out on mine and well i had a puddle in my floor boards, it misting threw my ac unit/ fogging my windsheild, and it also would drain from the drip nozzle for the AC off the fire wall. You can get a new heater core at alot of places the things is its a SOB to install. On past cars i have had It was a night mare to do I was glad when my warrenty company did it for me and took on that head ache. heater cores suck to get to.
speedfreak87
10-22-2007, 10:16 PM
On a 79-86 car with no a/c it's a piece of cake. 87-93 no a/c, it's "ok" put a/c in the mix and it's a nightmare on either car.
Let me ask you this, assuming your wife is who discovered the drip, ask her if she smells a nasty sweet maple syrup smell when she's driving the car.
Update to this little problem. I got home and checked the coolant and it was not low at all. My floor boards are dry and I dont see anything unusual coming from the drain. Water does come out, but it is supposed to come out of there from time to time.
The problem with the fuel seems to be solved too. After contacting Tech support at www.summitracing.com it has come to my attention that the sending unit that I was using with my FP guage has been discontinued by Autometer. Furthermore, my current electric guage will not work with the new sender that they started using when the discontinued mine.
So, what does BIG BUSINESS do to help the little guy like me? Did they turn their nose to me and say, "For $200 we can set you up with a new kit." Quite the contrary.
Even though I have no idea how old this guage and sender is, and I am NOT the original owner, Autometer has agreed to send me a brand new guage with a new sender, free of charge. I just need to send this kit back to them.
Who says that Big Business has forgotten us weekend warriors?
MrsMystic652
11-09-2007, 09:54 AM
Congrats on getting it worked out and Autometer is usually really good with helping their customers.
MichaelsLilGray
11-09-2007, 03:48 PM
Ive noticed.. a lot of people especially sponcers we have... they stick behind there product. Because their is always something that can be upgraded on a car.. and if they take care of you once.. you will always go back =P
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