coolant issues

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Jan 22, 2013 | 05:17 PM

devin28

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coolant issues

I changed the heater core on my 77 f150 today. 2wd. 400. Everything went pretty smooth. Got the old core out. Oreilys had one for 20 bucks. Put it all back together. I may of missed a few little pieces of the foam insulation, but other than that. Went back together pretty well. I started it up, ran fine. Didn't notice any leaks. Finally had heat. Thought I was all set. I drive home from work and notice a few streams of coolant coming out the heater box. Well i felt under there and it's all wet. It continually dripped onto my floorboard.

My question is, Is the new heater core defective? Or did something not go back together right? I'm pretty sure it all went back together the same way it came out.

Thanks in advance for help.

Jan 22, 2013 | 05:31 PM

jim collins

Cargo Master

Joined: Apr 2009

Posts: 3,038

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From: South west Idaho

Could be a defective core ,but they are easy to damage during assembly. Are the hoses tight ?

Jan 22, 2013 | 05:40 PM

devin28

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ill go check the tightness of the hoses in a few.

Jan 22, 2013 | 05:49 PM

HIO Silver

Fleet Owner

Joined: Dec 2009

Posts: 20,678

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From: NorCal

Given it is a PITA to replace 'em, I like to test them by cutting a bicyle inner tube in half, clamping them to the nipples, pressurizing, and then dunking it in a bucket to see if there are any telltale signs of a leak.

Jan 22, 2013 | 05:59 PM

devin28

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Good idea HIO. I tightened the down the clamps for the hoses with a good screwdriver this time. Got a few turns on each. Seems to be holding up alright. Thanks for the help.