digitaloutsider Posted February 12, 2006 Report Posted February 12, 2006 Well, I've been smelling antifreeze here for a little while, but never paid much attention to it until today.. when steam began pouring out of my vents, fogging up all my windows, and generally making me a human popsicle in this lovely 30 degree weather. So, long story short, there is a large amount of coolant dripping under the car. Steam comes out of my vents. The DIS will read around 230 degrees. Carpet ISN'T wet, though. Is this a bad heater core? Quote
THe_DeTAiL3R Posted February 12, 2006 Report Posted February 12, 2006 Tracking in snow from outside can cause your windows to fog up, but if you have coolant in the car you've probably found your problem... If you are unsure get a pressure test done, it only takes like 1/2 hr worth of labor. Quote
DaveFromColorado Posted February 12, 2006 Report Posted February 12, 2006 sounds like a heatercore. there's a water drainage line in those boxes, usually for condensation from the evaporator, that's why your carpet isn't wet. --Dave. Quote
DiscoStudd Posted February 12, 2006 Report Posted February 12, 2006 Count me in on the "Heater Core's shot" bandwagon. Sounds to me like you have a classic case of the heater core popping... Quote
rudefyet Posted February 12, 2006 Report Posted February 12, 2006 check where the coolant is leaking from, if it's coming from a small rubber hose sticking out of the lower part of the firewall (drains condesation from the evaporator), it's definitely the heater core. Quote
THe_DeTAiL3R Posted February 12, 2006 Report Posted February 12, 2006 Anyone ever just bypass the heatercore and get a 12v electric heater like this one? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/12-VOLT-PORTABLE-AUTO-CAR-HEATER-12V-BATTERY-OPERATED_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ46094QQitemZ8036211492QQrdZ1 Quote
DiscoStudd Posted February 12, 2006 Report Posted February 12, 2006 Those heaters aren't worth a shit! Quote
DaveFromColorado Posted February 12, 2006 Report Posted February 12, 2006 I tried that once, those 12v heaters don't do much for heat... it ended up being the rear-defroster in my old mustang cause that was about all it was good for. --Dave. Quote
THe_DeTAiL3R Posted February 12, 2006 Report Posted February 12, 2006 Damn, I was thinking of getting one for my car during the COLD days on my short trip to work (engine barely warms up by the time I get there... ) Quote
DiscoStudd Posted February 12, 2006 Report Posted February 12, 2006 You should get a block heater. One that installs in place of one of the "freeze plugs." Plug in the heater a couple of hours before you leave (or overnight) and the coolant will be nice and toasty when you start the car. Do that and you won't have to wait 5 minutes for the heat to kick in... Quote
DaveFromColorado Posted February 12, 2006 Report Posted February 12, 2006 I had one of those block heaters on my old Cavalier, and man did I love that thing, worked PERFECTLY, but wow do they suck the electricity up! --Dave. Quote
THe_DeTAiL3R Posted February 12, 2006 Report Posted February 12, 2006 My car has a plug (for block heater) how do I know if it's actually working? Will the radiator be warm or what? Do those things make noise? I also kinda figured they would use more hydro then if I just ran the car for 10min... Quote
DaveFromColorado Posted February 12, 2006 Report Posted February 12, 2006 the only time you'll really notice a good block heater is after you start the car and it's been runnin' for about a minute - you'll get warm air QUICK - they don't heat the radiator, so you'll almost never notice it there. --Dave. Quote
rudefyet Posted February 12, 2006 Report Posted February 12, 2006 my truck has a block heater...haven't used it yet though Quote
THe_DeTAiL3R Posted February 12, 2006 Report Posted February 12, 2006 Looking in the service manual... Holy crap... 600w 110v AC!!!! Yeah, that's gonna use some hydro! From the crappy pic it looks like it's on the bottem of the block on the firewall side (like right around the corner of where a 3.4 alt would be) ?? Hmm so would that unit get warm them? I just wonder if the damn thing works. Quote
Prospeeder Posted February 12, 2006 Report Posted February 12, 2006 try like, plugging it in and see what happends, its not like ur cars gonna explode Quote
THe_DeTAiL3R Posted February 12, 2006 Report Posted February 12, 2006 I tried one COLD day but didn't notice anything. Again, my drive to work is very short like about 4min... lol. Quote
5speedz34 Posted February 13, 2006 Report Posted February 13, 2006 "hydro"? I think he means hyrdo-electric power, must be a Canadian term. Quote
1990lumina Posted February 13, 2006 Report Posted February 13, 2006 Yeah, I guess it is a Canadian term, though I've never personally heard anyone call electricity, hyrdo in Saskatchewan. I think in British Columbia they will call it "hydro" thoughl ol.... Dave - when I plug my car in, you can heard the block heater make noise. It is very faint sound, so you make or may not hear it. However I know mine works, because if I don't plug my car in over night, the stupid thing will barely turn over the next day, and takes 30minutes to warm up lol. I have a 110volt interior warmer that runs when my car is plugged in, interior is nice and toaty warm, and windows never frost when it is running. Might want to look into one of those Dave. I typically plug in over night, warmer is running all night, block heater gets whatever warm downthere, and my engine warms up fairly quick in the mornigng. So along with the interior warmer and engine starting to warm up by the time I get in the car (remote starter) I'm fairly comfortable in the coldest of morings. I installed the warmer in front of my console: That particular model is a 900watt warmer, combined with my block heater and battery blanket...my car draws 15amps when plugged in lol....I know this because the smallest electrical draw other then my car on this particular circuit will pop the breaker. Oh, shit, sorry Shaun, just noticed I took this thread way OT! I will say it is a busted heater core too....good luck replacing it! Quote
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