Coolant Leak - Need Suggestions

[mechroneal]

The daily driver (92 EX, 4.0) has been running fine. This morning I noticed a slight smell of coolant on the commute (45 miles each way). I had a dvd case on the passenger floorboard that looks like it had a few drops of coolant on it. At the time I had the heater cranked on Def/Floor. Turned the heater off, and saw no additional dripping, but the windows fogged badly. Limped it in to work.

What's leaking? My thought is heater core, but don't know much about it othert than general location. Would stop-leak help?

Tomorrow I have major dental surgery that will pit me out of commission for a few days. I need to get this fixed at least enough my GF can get me to the appointment.

 

[my pos mounty]

Do not use the "stop leak" stuff, it can and will clog the coolant passages in your engine and cause much bigger problems later on in life. I would tend to agree with you that the heater core has taken a dump on you. If it isn't leaking out too bad, you can loosen the radiator cap to de-pressurize the system to "limp" to your appointment. Check coolant levels frequently and watch yourself when you take that cap off!!! Don't do it hot. Fix it ASAP

 

[mechroneal]

Wouldn't the heater core leave a puddle, not a few drips? I'm wondering if it might be freeze plug.

 

[93explorer317]

I would say its the heater core also. Mine never leak out on the floorboard but when I open it up u can see where it was leaking. Have u notice any smoke coming out of the vents? With a weird smell? The smell I was noticeing was I don't think coolant but I could be wrong there. Heater core is pretty cheap, mine was around $22.00 and it took 5 mins to get it off and about 10 mins putting it back together.

 

[mechroneal]

I'll look at it this week. I was under the impression the heater core would be a much more major (time & $$$) fix.

 

[93explorer317]

I'll look at it this week. I was under the impression the heater core would be a much more major (time & $$$) fix.

Yeah thats what I thought first. But it is a easy cheap fix. The heater core area I believe has a drain which leads to outside of course. Mine had a very tiny hole in it so it never leak out to the floorboard. Even if its not the heater core I would still change it, I just wish I knew that before.

 

[mechroneal]

Yeah thats what I thought first. But it is a easy cheap fix. The heater core area I believe has a drain which leads to outside of course. Mine had a very tiny hole in it so it never leak out to the floorboard. Even if its not the heater core I would still change it, I just wish I knew that before.

I just looked at this: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1420704#post1420704

And I think it pretty much sums it up. I was expecting a puddle on the floor due to experience with an Escort of about the same age. I didn't realize there is a drain to the outside. Looks like about the right spot, and about what I am going through. Looking from underneath I saw the passenger fenderwell had collected quite a bit of the coolant, I am, guessing that is where it vents out.

 

[93explorer317]

I just looked at this: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1420704#post1420704

And I think it pretty much sums it up. I was expecting a puddle on the floor due to experience with an Escort of about the same age. I didn't realize there is a drain to the outside. Looks like about the right spot, and about what I am going through. Looking from underneath I saw the passenger fenderwell had collected quite a bit of the coolant, I am, guessing that is where it vents out.

YepYou should be good to go after that.

 

[mechroneal]

You guys rock! I opened the case, and sure enough, a bit of coolant on the bottom. Changed heater core, topped of fluid, & hopefully am good to go. I think next I am going to replace the hoses, the were pretty soft.

 

[93explorer317]

You guys rock! I opened the case, and sure enough, a bit of coolant on the bottom. Changed heater core, topped of fluid, & hopefully am good to go. I think next I am going to replace the hoses, the were pretty soft.

Thanks, it wouldn't hurt to replace the hoses now then somewhere down the road.

 

[mechroneal]

Thanks, it wouldn't hurt to replace the hoses now then somewhere down the road.

Yeah, going to have to do that at some point. I realized this week I hadn't got a perfect seal on one of the clamps, had to re-attach it. How much of a bear is it to get to the bottom part of the hose? Looks to me like I'll need to take of quite a bit of stuff unless it can be reached from the bottom.

 

[XLT]

I have heard of hooking the two lines going to the heater core together. That way it will never even reach the heater core. It sounds like you need a heater core. They always seem to go out when its cold out. I put two in my f150 in one winter. Total pain but you can do it pretty quick second time around.

Never mind. Looks like you got it under control. My email took me the an earlier post.