Heater core leak...??

Question

I have a 92 olds acheiva, and it has been running hot during hot days in in-town traffic w/the ac on. Than if it gets extremely hot, when I park it, it will leak anti-freeze underneath, from the middle, up near the windshield, sometimes lots of coolant (like a faucet is on), sometimes not a lot. I took it to my mechanic, and he thinks it is a leak in the heater core causing all this. Does that sound right? Just want another opinion. Thanks

Answer 1

Yes, it sounds right.

But to get to the heater core, it's pretty labor intensive so it will cost a lot to replace.

Maybe cheaper to do without a heater in the car and by-pass the heater core completely.

Answer 2

In most cases, a heater core leak shows up on the INSIDE of the car, not the outside. A common problem on these cars is the plastic valve that controls water flowing into the heater core cracks and leaks. Look first for an external leak under the hood before having someone take apart your dash...it may just be a leaking connection, or a crack leading to the core, rather than the core itself.

Answer 3

I had the same problem in my pick up truck twice. It was the heater core both times only mine was leaking onto the floor on the passenger side of the car. What a stink! If your heater core is up near the windshield then I would bet the mechanic is correct.

Answer 4

Most definitely, especially when the leak is on the passenger side. There will be an oily fog on the inside of the windshield coming from the defrost vents, along with the sweet smell antifreeze puts off. When the core is shot, prevents the flow of coolant causing the engine to overheat.

Answer 5

I though heater core only affected heat....But maybe

check your hoses and Water pump and radiator.

Rear wheel drive- It the faceplate on front of engine....has the fan shaft coming out of it. Underneath the shaft is a tiny hole.....this hole is normally sealed if it has water dripping out its the water pump.
Front wheel drive- standing at front of car your engine is the same just turned clock-wise

Squeeze the hoses...if you hear water its your hoses.

Underneath radiator....that big flat thing in front of fan. There is a/are plug(s) sometimes these can be slightly lose...so tighten them up to be safe.......maybe crack or hole in radiator

Freeze plugs...unless you overheat it on a regular occasion I don't see these popping out. Plus I'm not going into detail about that.

If you have a trusted friend that's mechanically inclined have them look at it. Take it to more than one mechanic if not and compare notes....sometimes mechs are trying to screw you sometimes they are just not well knowledged in what they do.

Answer 6

you hit nail on the head get heater core replaced