Possible heater core leak
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2017
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From: East Texas
Possible heater core leak
So the passenger floor board was wet with coolant yesterday and as I was drying/mopping it up I also noticed the hose clamps on the heater core were a tad loose. So I tightened them up and put the flooring back in place (mostly). After my son got back from school today, no coolant on the floor.
We took it to dinner tonight and still no visible leak. The insulation behind the heater box is a little wet, but there isn't any running down the toe board.
So here is my thinking/hope, if it has been leaking at the loose hose connections, could it find its way into the cab?
Has anyone else found this to be the source of a leak (loose clamps)?
We replaced the core about a year ago and are hoping to avoid doing it again especially if it is not the "real" source of the leak.
If I pull the fresh air vent door off will I be able to feel coolant in the bottom of the big box (indicating an actual core leak)?
Any help/suggestions appreciated.
We took it to dinner tonight and still no visible leak. The insulation behind the heater box is a little wet, but there isn't any running down the toe board.
So here is my thinking/hope, if it has been leaking at the loose hose connections, could it find its way into the cab?
Has anyone else found this to be the source of a leak (loose clamps)?
We replaced the core about a year ago and are hoping to avoid doing it again especially if it is not the "real" source of the leak.
If I pull the fresh air vent door off will I be able to feel coolant in the bottom of the big box (indicating an actual core leak)?
Any help/suggestions appreciated.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 995
Likes: 317
A/C equipped or no A/C? If no A/C absolutely it could leak into the cab from a hose connection but I'd think you'd also have a drip at the firewall as evidence. If A/C I'd say not as likely as any coolant from heater core itself or squirting into the housing from a loose hose connection should find its way out the condensate drain assuming its not plugged. If plugged then yea it will find its way into cab.
Yea there should be remnants of coolant in the bottom of box but I'm not sure that would determine the core is bad or just from a hose connection leak. Now that you know the hose connections are tight if it happens again you can be pretty certain the core is bad.
Yea there should be remnants of coolant in the bottom of box but I'm not sure that would determine the core is bad or just from a hose connection leak. Now that you know the hose connections are tight if it happens again you can be pretty certain the core is bad.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,448
Likes: 163
From: East Texas
Thanks for the reply. It is heat only.
I'll check around the engine side of the firewall. I think I saw some on that side too.
Hopefully this just serves as a reminder to check connections occasionally instead of having to pull the box and replace the core.
I'll check around the engine side of the firewall. I think I saw some on that side too.
Hopefully this just serves as a reminder to check connections occasionally instead of having to pull the box and replace the core.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,448
Likes: 163
From: East Texas
Pretty sure it was from the loose hose clamps. Put eyes on it with some good daylight and it was wet on the engine side.
We are drying out the floor insulation now and will put everything back in this afternoon and keep an eye on it.
We are drying out the floor insulation now and will put everything back in this afternoon and keep an eye on it.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,448
Likes: 163
From: East Texas
Well after about 3 weeks and 2 130 mile drives this weekend the floor is still dry. Yea we don't have to replace the heater core again.
Next chance you get, check your hose clamps etc... Easy insurance.
Next chance you get, check your hose clamps etc... Easy insurance.
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