Heater leak? noticed antifreeze smoke from vents?-

Post by **98T5** » 19 Apr 2013, 11:59

I don't have time to fixx the heater core right now and with summer coming up I don't really need to use the defrost that much so can I re-route and connect the two hoses that run into the heater core at the firewall?

Basically, I just want to put a "U" into the hose that runs into the heater core back into the outlet hose from the heater core. Can I do this? does it matter tha the water is hot going and coming?

I will tear out the dash before it's gets cold but i need to fix this now before I have a tragic leak inside the car.
any advice is helpful at this point. thanks in advance

the leak is tiny but I can smell it and see the smoke. and the floor/carpet is not wet.

Post by **mikealder** » 19 Apr 2013, 12:01

Just loop the two heater coolant hoses together while you get the new heater matrix to repair it with as it will be fine like that - Mike

Post by **98T5** » 19 Apr 2013, 14:00

Right On Mike, that's for the verification.

Also, what about the remaining antifreeze inside the Evap? will it dry up on it's own or sit in there

Post by **mikealder** » 19 Apr 2013, 17:06

Given long enough it will dry/ leak out, I would send a length of 1/4" clear hose down in to the matrix through the firewall connections as far as you can and try to suck out the fluid, if you don't it will end up under the carpet when you pull the matrix out - Mike

Post by **98T5** » 19 Apr 2013, 17:48

another question mikealder:

Can I re-route it thru the heater valve and call it a day?

Post by **98T5** » 20 Apr 2013, 12:44

I went a ahead and just took the heater valve out of the equation just to keep from ruining it. I just connected the hose from the engine with the return hose going back to the other side of the engine from the heater core. works like a charm

. I went to Lowe's and got a 2inch piece of brass piping that fit the 5/8 hoses on the car, slapped on two heavy duty clamps and not a single drop after I refilled the car with coolant. I think I might leave it this way until Summer of 2014 and just tough out the winter. Winter's in Texas are hardly any winter at all and I keep it in the garage so I should be able to cruise out until then.

Post by **precopster** » 20 Apr 2013, 15:32

Good heater cores with a newer design are on eBay for under $40. I tried one and works great. Swedish auto lamps is the seller.

Don't fear the heater core replacement. In under 2 hrs you'll have it swapped out. Did you leave the heater pipes going into the firewall? If not you may need a new firewall coupling (not a big deal)

Post by **98T5** » 21 Apr 2013, 19:51

precopster wrote:Good heater cores with a newer design are on eBay for under $40. I tried one and works great. Swedish auto lamps is the seller.

Don't fear the heater core replacement. In under 2 hrs you'll have it swapped out. Did you leave the heater pipes going into the firewall? If not you may need a new firewall coupling (not a big deal)

2 hours? I'm hearing different. people are saying this is a 8-10 hour job because you have to take the whole dashboard out. If you know of a faster way, by all means share it.

and yes I left the 2 heater core hose sticking out the firewall. I have no choice.

Post by **precopster** » 22 Apr 2013, 07:02

Sorry didn't notice this was for the 940 forum

I was referring to 850s and S70s

I recently sold my 960 because I didn't have the heart to remove that brittle dash to replace the heater core and break off even more parts.

Post by **abscate** » 23 Apr 2013, 19:56

1999 T5 the heater core is done without dash removal. Once carpet and cover removed, and coupling disconnected, its four torx screws holding in heater core