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can you repair a leaking heater core rather than replace it? 200 1986

uid 17010's pic
posted by  tvg on  Wed Oct 6 08:49 CST 2004
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last visit: Mon May 21 14:10 CST 2007
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I fear that it is time to repair/replace my heater core. I get a whiff of coolant when I first turn on the heater. There is no coolant odor until the heater valve (just replaced, by the way) is opened. The smell doesn't last long, but from reading archives, I guess it will only get worse. In addition the blower motor is starting to 'chirp' at low speed - so I'll replace that while I'm at it.
I wonder if I can save some money by taking the heater core to a radiator shop and having it repaired. I've done this in the past with an old honda civic core.

Also, any good theories as to why the smell only occurs upon the opening of the heater valve and does not persist the entire time the valve is open?

Thanks in advance!

Tom
'86 240 Wagon 232k







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    can you repair a leaking heater core rather than replace it? 200 1986

    posted by  illbird68 on  Wed Oct 6 09:17 CST 2004
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    last visit: Fri Jul 25 12:56 CST 2008
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    As the fellow owner of a super high milage 86 240 I feel your pain. I recently replaced the blower motor in my car. I would recomend a replacement of the heater core rather than a repair. Some may disagree but i feel that the royal pain in the ass that the access of the thing has warrants the minimal extra spending. Before you do that you could try adding some stop leak product to the coolant to see if that helps. you might try removing the center console side pannels and attempting to see if there are any visible leaks. after all it may be a heater hose or something eles that is causeing the leak. I have heard of presurizing the radiator at the pressure cap in an effort to locate leaks also....happy hunting.








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      can you repair a leaking heater core rather than replace it? 200 1986

      posted by  someone claiming to be art on  Wed Oct 6 09:56 CST 2004 [RELATED]

      I second that advice with strong emphasis on making sure there is not a hose clamp leak or heater valve leak. As a recent veteran of a heater core replacement, I'd also recommend you pressure test the new core before sealing up that box, should you find it necessary to change it. Unlike a radiator, the old heater core doesn't spring a leak from external damage, but corrosion instead.

      While doing a heater core, the blower motor is a trivial job indeed.








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        can you repair a leaking heater core rather than replace it? 200 1986

        uid 17010's pic
        posted by  tvg on  Wed Oct 6 12:13 CST 2004
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        last visit: Mon May 21 14:10 CST 2007
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        What is the easiest way to access the connections at the heater core? These are the ones I haven't checked yet. Thanks,
        Tom







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          Access to heater core connections 200 1986

          uid 27's pic
          posted by  Art Benstein on  Wed Oct 6 13:10 CST 2004
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          last visit: Fri Oct 17 20:10 CST 2014
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          To see hose leaks, remove the radio or catch-all in top slot. More access through the glove box.

          But it is really not hard to remove the dash, either, taking maybe 20 minutes the second time you do it. First cluster and plastic around steering column, headlight and dimmer. Then glovebox. Carefully disconnect supports for defroster vents. Then screws between dash and frame; sometimes a tricky anti-rattle screw and clamp behind push-in dash trim.


          --
          Art Benstein near Baltimore








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            Access to heater core connections 200 1986

            uid 17010's pic
            posted by  tvg on  Thu Oct 7 07:19 CST 2004
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            last visit: Mon May 21 14:10 CST 2007
            [RELATED]

            Thank for all your help Art.
            Here's an update, complete with additional questions:
            I took out the radio, the gove box and the dash center speaker cover (very helpful since it sits directly above the heater core). I could see absolutely no trace of a leak at these two connections. I felt around them and found no wetness - I watched as I ran the engine 'til warm and turned on the heater, no spray or leak. I also checked the heater drain and it was clean and dry as could be, with no trace of coolant. So I'm pretty thoroughly convinced that the leak is small and it's in the core.

            Next question - I've found a large discrepancy in the prices of heater cores from general discount part sellers (Autozone, Checker ~ $40) and the more specific volvo/european part sellers (FCP and eeuroparts - $94 and up). Why the price difference? If I can pick one up locally and it will perform as well I'm inclined to do that especially if it costs a lot less. The brand at the discount guys has been GDI or GO/DAN, FCP has four seasons.

            Thanks,
            Tom







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              Access to heater core connections 200 1986

              uid 27's pic
              posted by  Art Benstein on  Thu Oct 7 14:28 CST 2004
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              last visit: Fri Oct 17 20:10 CST 2014
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              Tom,
              I commend you for being skillful enough to remove that sun-baked plastic grille without reducing it to a pile of brittle sticks. And now you've completely qualified the need for the heater core work.

              One of the ways I became convinced was finding the moist sweet air mostly came from the left vents. The blower is really dual in the air path through the heater core, so the heavy leak in one side showed up in only that side's vents.

              I'm envious you found a place to buy a core for $40. I think. I probably would have gone for it as long as I could pressure test it first. The one in the picture below came from CT, but I don't recall any markings like Four Seasons, the AC parts vendor.




              Notice how the original core is center fed. I figure this is for even distribution by that "dual" blower. At least with the replacement, the wife gets access to the first heat produced. Wish I could help you with brand names, but I've only done one of these. If you need some reference for getting half the way there, here's my first experience with the blower motor job
              --
              Art Benstein near Baltimore








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                Access to heater core connections 200 1986

                uid 17010's pic
                posted by  tvg on  Thu Oct 7 14:38 CST 2004
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                last visit: Mon May 21 14:10 CST 2007
                [RELATED]

                Thanks a ton Art!
                I was wondering about the funny piping on the OE and now you've explained it quite well.
                Tom







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      can you repair a leaking heater core rather than replace it? 200 1986

      uid 17010's pic
      posted by  tvg on  Wed Oct 6 09:44 CST 2004
      Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
      last visit: Mon May 21 14:10 CST 2007
      [RELATED]

      Thanks for the advice. I recently got a good look in the area when I replaced the heater valve (many thanks to Michael Kiley for the photos and assistance). No visible leaks from that side of the console. I figure it must not be a very large leak because there have been no puddles, the windows aren't fogging and the coolant loss has been very minimal. The smell has been there a while though - I lived through last winter with it, put it out of mind for the summer and now with the temps dropping I am considering action.

      Tom






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