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Coolant leaking from what looks like heater core, help!
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Tignewspapergirl
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Oct 8, 2011, 9:55 PM
Post #1 of 8
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Coolant leaking from what looks like heater core, help!
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Ok so my ford (starting to be fix and repair daily) thunderbird is leaking coolant from what looks like the heater core. Its hasnt stopped even after using a powder form stop leak. What else can I do to fix this, I cant drive with this smell.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Oct 9, 2011, 5:42 AM
Post #2 of 8
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Re: Coolant leaking from what looks like heater core, help!
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Now you will likely have 2 problems, You original bad heater core and now the problems with the rest of the cooling system from putting that junk into it. All that stuff will do is damage. You have 2 options and only 2 options. You can disconnect the core and bypass it in which you will have no heat or you can replace the core.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Oct 9, 2011, 10:21 AM
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Re: Coolant leaking from what looks like heater core, help!
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No sealers as HT said! New core is the answer as you probably need defog/defrost like most of us. Air would blow but not work well. Rain-X sells an anti fog thing for AFTER windows probably now sticky from antifreeze vapors. Bring paper towels as needed.
No tricks - you need this fixed asap,
T
PS: If not to be done right away and cool where you are you can cut smaller (if regular radiator cap) spring loaded rubber and have a zero pressure system short term/emergency only which will leak less............Carpet may need to be professionally cleaned to get the smell out of it.............
(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Oct 9, 2011, 10:23 AM)
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Oct 9, 2011, 10:35 AM
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Re: Coolant leaking from what looks like heater core, help!
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I would not advise running the cap without pressure. That was fine on the older cars that ran at 180 degrees but most of today's cars have fans that don't come on until 225 degrees or higher and the coolant will boil if not under pressure which raises the boiling point.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Oct 9, 2011, 10:44 AM
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Re: Coolant leaking from what looks like heater core, help!
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Somewhat agree: If coolant leak is making it zero anyway it's a way to get home but dear God don't overheat! We don't know what this car is do we? Was it a T-Bird of some unknown year? Can't look back and type at same time
Tom
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Oct 9, 2011, 10:48 AM
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Re: Coolant leaking from what looks like heater core, help!
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If things are that serious, it needs to be parked.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Discretesignals
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Oct 9, 2011, 10:48 AM
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Re: Coolant leaking from what looks like heater core, help!
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If you go to replace your core, you should flush out the coolant system really good. Then check for voltage in your coolant with the engine running and all your accessories turned on. Make sure that all your body and engine grounds are intact. Fords are really bad about electrolysis eating up cores.
Make sure that there is a restricter in the hose on the inlet side of the core. The restricter is there to slow the coolant down going through the core so it doesn't cause erosion like a rapid river over a rock does.
If you don't do this, you'll be replacing another core in no time flat.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Oct 9, 2011, 10:50 AM)
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Tom Greenleaf
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Oct 9, 2011, 1:25 PM
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Re: Coolant leaking from what looks like heater core, help!
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Great advice! Left a restrictor on full size Ford out accidentally hidden in smaller input hose to core ages ago and didn't put it back. Luck or what it never caused problem and now well over 200K it's a parts car for now for me. Still runs but rusted too much.
These guys are sharp so pay attention!
Tom - the one with silly avatar of my Kitty and a college degree in automotive science including the vocation stuff! Of course that was back when wheels were made of wood - laugh!
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