Need some HELP! 99 Ford Exp
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Need some HELP! 99 Ford Exp
Ok, so first let me say, I am a chick, but I almost half way know what I am talking about here...so be nice. 
I thought my heater core went because my windshield was fogging up and there was white smoke coming out of the vents. BUT, there is no leaking on the passenger side and when you look under the truck there is water/coolant almost pouring out. The truck is not overheating and it is not draining the radiator.
Obviously I don't want to spend the $ to have someone go in and pull the whole dash apart to change the heater core if it not neccessary. Sorry to say, but when a female goes to a garage, it is open season on her wallet. I need to know what I am talking about before I go there.
I am thinking (or hoping) it is just a hose, but would that cause the white smoke or steam to come through the vents and the windshield fogging up as well? It smells awful of hot coolant. I live in NY so no heat or defrost is not an option, by the way.
Words of advice would be great! I am not afraid to dig in!
Thanks,
Kim
I thought my heater core went because my windshield was fogging up and there was white smoke coming out of the vents. BUT, there is no leaking on the passenger side and when you look under the truck there is water/coolant almost pouring out. The truck is not overheating and it is not draining the radiator.
Obviously I don't want to spend the $ to have someone go in and pull the whole dash apart to change the heater core if it not neccessary. Sorry to say, but when a female goes to a garage, it is open season on her wallet. I need to know what I am talking about before I go there.
I am thinking (or hoping) it is just a hose, but would that cause the white smoke or steam to come through the vents and the windshield fogging up as well? It smells awful of hot coolant. I live in NY so no heat or defrost is not an option, by the way.
Words of advice would be great! I am not afraid to dig in!
Thanks,
Kim
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
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Well I am afraid you are most likely correct in your thoughts . The heater core probably is leaking as there are no hoses that are inside the passenger compartment containing coolant. The heater core tubes extend out into the engine compartment so the only thing inside the car is the core that can leak . That all being said the core replacement is not a easy job . It took me about 5 hours to do mine and I have a lot of neat tools . I don't think I would recommend doing this one as first heater core job as it requires dash removal it's pretty time consuming .
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Thank you for your reply, even though it wasnt what I wanted to hear. 
That job I would not take on myself, once you get to things I can't readily see, I am out.
One question though, you said this runs under the dash on the passenger side and is the only thing that can leak inside. I don't have anything coming inside except for the white smoke. The coolant is pouring out underneath, not at the radiator, but further back. Almost directly below the firewall. Still thinking heater core?
Kim
That job I would not take on myself, once you get to things I can't readily see, I am out.
One question though, you said this runs under the dash on the passenger side and is the only thing that can leak inside. I don't have anything coming inside except for the white smoke. The coolant is pouring out underneath, not at the radiator, but further back. Almost directly below the firewall. Still thinking heater core?
Kim
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Yes, because there is a condensate drain to take away the moisture when running the A/C. The coolant is escaping down and out this drain which is why it's not dripping on the passenger side carpet.
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Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Chesapeake, Va.
I was just at my local ford dealership today getting a state inspection and the guy ahead of me was leaving his Expedition for a heater core replacement and the minimum price quoted was about $960.00 or more, not including a new blend door.
A co-worker just had his done at a good local, family owned radiator shop for $450.00 including the blend door.
It one of those things that has to be taken care of, so shop around at the smaller shops that have a good local reputation before you have a flood in your truck and no heat.
Good luck with it.
A co-worker just had his done at a good local, family owned radiator shop for $450.00 including the blend door.
It one of those things that has to be taken care of, so shop around at the smaller shops that have a good local reputation before you have a flood in your truck and no heat.
Good luck with it.
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Joined: Oct 2010
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Not sure if you want to do it or even try it but it worked on an car of mine; it was a '85 Grand AM that had a very light heater core leak.
What I did was put in some Bars Stop leak, meant for radiators. Once it went in, it stopped the leak and I never had another problem with it.
BTW, I had an '87 Mustang that developed a heater core leak. To call it a leak would be wrong since when it went, it flooded my passenger side floor. I tried the Bars stop leak again, but it wasn't a true fix. It reduced the leak, but still leaked and I didn't want to put a 2nd bottle in in fear it might reduce the efficiency of my radiator. Took me about 4 hrs to replace the heater core in that car. I loved that car.
What I did was put in some Bars Stop leak, meant for radiators. Once it went in, it stopped the leak and I never had another problem with it.
BTW, I had an '87 Mustang that developed a heater core leak. To call it a leak would be wrong since when it went, it flooded my passenger side floor. I tried the Bars stop leak again, but it wasn't a true fix. It reduced the leak, but still leaked and I didn't want to put a 2nd bottle in in fear it might reduce the efficiency of my radiator. Took me about 4 hrs to replace the heater core in that car. I loved that car.
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: So. Cal.
I'm kinda late here but in the original post she said the radiator wasn't loosing coolant. If the heater core is leaking the radiator will loose coolant especially if she said it's practically pouring out. It would be nice to know how this came out.
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