Looking for leaks

[Sully]

Strangely, there was no dye in the carpet. However, I did see a couple drops coming off of the heat vents below the dash and there were a few drops on the bottom of the white box up under the dash (I'm assuming that's the housing for the core). Also, when I pulled the drain plug under the DS front, there was a tremendous outpouring of reddish fluid and there was some dye in it. The spillage is only on the DS front floorboard. Is it unusual that it would only be wet on the one side? Also, any ideas whether the carpet will be cleanable or whether I'll have to replace it? It is soaked. I haven't yet completed the disassembly of the dash to find the exact location of the leak, but hopefully I can get to it on Sunday. I'm trying to take photos as I go so I can post up a dash disassembly/heater core thread for the FAQs, so the going is a little slower than it might be otherwise. Thanks for the advice so far and I'll keep posting as I narrow things down.

 

[CJF]

Go Sully!!

 

[Sully]

I FINALLY got the heater core out today and boy was I surprised. The core appears to be fine. There is zero coolant inside the core box and no coolant residues inside the main ducts. However, there is a small pool collected on the top of the box (photo 1) that, if it were to overflow, would drip down the back (photo 2) and seep into the driver's side vent only (which is the only side I saw coolant drips coming from). So now it appears that I have a good heater core. The coolant is obviously leaking from the DS pipe or the hose feeding into it from the engine compartment. This is the only way it could pool on top. I would think that the firewall grommet would prevent any coolant from seeping in through the firewall from the engine bay; however I can't rule it out. The grommet is in good shape, no apparent damage. The jute between the rubber and the metal appears to have taken on some coolant at some time; however it could be from residual dripping out when I pulled the core. There is a joint in the copper pipe (photo 3) coming off of the core on that side that could be leaking. There is an O ring that appeared to be in good condition, but that's really the only place that could be leaking. Now I'm not sure if I should go ahead and replace the core since I have it out or just replace the O ring or just the hoses. The only other factor I can think of here is that there were no clamps on either of the hoses feeding the core; however, they seemed QUITE secure to the point that I had to cut them off. Any thoughts from multi- crowd?

Coolant Pool.jpg

Back.jpgPipe.jpg

 

[slick621]

I have the same problem. Did you ever discover a fix?

 

[Sully]

My "fix" involved a complete dash disassembly and reassembly. I never found a leak in the core itself or the pipes. I replaced the inline o ring and am in the process of replacing all of the coolant hoses. I also completely replaced all of the insulation in the vehicle and removed all the carpets for cleaning (a half hour at the u-wash-it carwash with a pressure washer). Major PITA. I'll let you know soon if it all works (time and money have not been abundant until recently).

 

[slick621]

My "fix" involved a complete dash disassembly and reassembly. I never found a leak in the core itself or the pipes. I replaced the inline o ring and am in the process of replacing all of the coolant hoses. I also completely replaced all of the insulation in the vehicle and removed all the carpets for cleaning (a half hour at the u-wash-it carwash with a pressure washer). Major PITA. I'll let you know soon if it all works (time and money have not been abundant until recently).

Thanks for the info! Good luck and keep me updated. I figured I'd have to go tearing in to the dash

 

[slick621]

Did you manage to stop the leaks?

 

[Gumby]

Just curious -

What does a dealership charge to do a PHH?


Gumby's house of Cruiser repair and parts emporium charges $75 with parts.


oh, and Gumby does not do heater cores.







too fat to fit under the dash.

 

[slick621]

Did the leaks reappear or did your process work?

 

[kiwicruiserlj78]

it may well be leaking out behind the water pump seals .. other than that check for steam (water vapor) out of the exagust. is it a turbo??