Bad Heater Core?
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Bad Heater Core?
Can anyone tell me what signs/symptoms I might run into if my heater core goes bad? I have a 96 Explorer 5.0L V-8 with 133K miles on it. Here's whats been happening...there's a coolant smell coming from the vents when I have the heater turned on, the coolant overflow tank is becoming empty about every 3-4 weeks so I've been filling it back up to the max line. I haven't seen any puddles of coolant on my garage floor or driveway and theres been no moisture/water under the dashboard area, carpets are not wet. Anything else I should check for?
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,595
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From: Lawton, Oklahoma
You could be smelling a heater core leak, but in the winter we use outside air rather than recirculated so you could be drawing in the smell of antifreeze burning under the hood. Look closely at the AC drain tube for green color as it may be dripping out the AC drain tube (that is if your antifreeze is STILL green). A common leak point on the explorer is the water control valve in the engine compartment inline to the heater hoses.
Swipe your hand on the windshield while the defroster is blowing on it and see if you get a film of antifreeze to streak there. That is a common way to detect a heater core leak.
The best test is a proper pressure test of the cooling system.
Swipe your hand on the windshield while the defroster is blowing on it and see if you get a film of antifreeze to streak there. That is a common way to detect a heater core leak.
The best test is a proper pressure test of the cooling system.
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I tend to agree that the anti-freeze I'm smelling may be coming from a small leak somewhere that drips onto a hot part of the engine. Like I said, no water coming out under the dash, no damp carpeting at all. No steam coming up onto the windshield either. Sounds like I may have a leak somewhere that should be relatively easy to fix. I would like to check the AC drain tube and the water control valve in the engine compartment, but really do not have an idea of where these two items can be found. If you can describe the locations in detail that would be a big help. Also, how much does pressure test cost and do I need to go to a mechanic to have that done? If a pressure test is done can they pinpoint the leak from it?
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Joined: Apr 2002
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From: USA
A pressure test is best done when the motor is cold. The trick is that if the system is pressurized when it is cold a small leak will not hit something hot and evaporate thus you can see it. I have also noticed that when a motor is cold, and not running, you can sometimes hear it a leak as well as see it. In either case a good mechanic should be able to locate it.
The test it self should not take more than 15 min but finding the leak is a whole different matter could be 5 min could be an hour or more.
A final idea, provided that you are in a warm area, you could disconnect the heater core hoses and connect them together with one of those prestone flush kits. This would bypass your heating system. If your coolant system remains stable and you stop smelling antifreez it is a good bet that it is the core. Remember that while you have it set up this way you will not have any heat.
Dean
The test it self should not take more than 15 min but finding the leak is a whole different matter could be 5 min could be an hour or more.
A final idea, provided that you are in a warm area, you could disconnect the heater core hoses and connect them together with one of those prestone flush kits. This would bypass your heating system. If your coolant system remains stable and you stop smelling antifreez it is a good bet that it is the core. Remember that while you have it set up this way you will not have any heat.
Dean
Last edited by dsmith1484; Dec 15, 2003 at 09:44 PM.
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