Thread: Heater Core? Cooling System? HELP!

Hey folks,

I've seen a few threads that seem related to this new problem I'm having but I've got a couple of symptoms and each of the threads only list one symptom or the other.

Recently I noticed excessive coolant usage. I fill up the reservoir and it's gone two days later; yet when I pour it I see no visible leaks (Dexcool). I've also noticed a bit of an almost sweet aroma coming from the car as I'm driving it; not sure what that is (if it's even related).

Now as of this morning my heater has stopped working. After reading a few posts, I'm starting to suspect the heater core (first time I've ever heard of this part). How hard is it to replace this part? Is there a workup? A sticky? Throw me a bone.

Do you think the two problems are related?

And I have to replace one of the steering components too (not sure which one yet, but I suspect the sway bar) as the car makes a funny sound anytime weight is shifted (I.E: I'm at a complete stand-still and I press the gas while in drive, the weight of the car naturally shifts backwards....I hear this sound and vice versa; in reverse). Hard to tell if the sound is coming from the front or the back.

Man this car is giving me some serious problems. It's always one thing or another. So far I've replaced the battery, the alternator, the belt, the plugs.....I love my ride and I try to do right by her....but damn!

Intake issue?

Wouldn't be surprised....it sucked up the little black plastic thing from my Seafoam tube. At least I THINK it did.

I couldn't find it after applying the stuff.

Have I fubar'd my engine?

Haven't checked that yet....

The car's got approx. 193000+ km's on it. I don't even know for sure if that black little piece got sucked into the intake manifold or not. I did the seafoam application and I heard a very small click sound.

That's when I noticed the black little rubber piece missing. I looked all around and couldn't find it. I thought it probably just fell inside the engine somewhere but not the manifold itself. But that was like a month ago.

Now I have this problem; I didn't even realize the two could be related. I dismissed it back then because this problem happened a month later.

Originally Posted by 98GPGT2D

I wouldnt jump to conclusions yet. How many KMS are on the car?

The intake plenums are known for cracking by the EGR valve, and will pull coolant from the cooling gallery and suck it in through the plenum. Pull the oil fill cap off, and look at it...is it all gooey while looking?

Jay

So I did as you suggested (by removing the oil cap off) and no, it's not "all gooey". So.....where does that leave me? Heater core? If it is the heater core though, is excessive coolant consumption a symptom of a defective heater core?

I also looked around the intake manifold to see if I could find any signs of corrosion or leaking coolant, but I'm not seeing anything.

So lost here.

is your floorboard getting wet?

No.

It's not. But it's drinking antifreeze like no tomorrow. I think it's the heater core. I'm going to replace it as soon as I can afford it. For now, I need a temp. solution with winter coming up and all (maybe a portable heater).

I don't see how the heater core would consume the coolant, without any evidence of it being expelled from the coolant system, near or at the core.

I believe 98GPGT2D is suggesting you have a leak either between your plastic upper intake manifold (UIM) and the aluminum lower intake manifold (LIM), causing coolant to enter the engine's cylinders and burn up with the air/fuel charge (if this were happening, you wouldn't see any signs of leaking coolant, other than noticing your coolant level is mysteriously decreasing), or perhaps it's leaking in the upper intake manifold from a water jacket, near the EGR tube; this area of the UIM commonly cracks and leaks coolant due to the metal EGR tube constantly changing from cold to hot. This is a common area for coolant to leak and mysteriously vanish into the engine's cylinders.

I think I'm gonna tap out on this one (as embarrasing as that is). LOL.

I'm in Brampton, and I don't suppose anybody in a neighbouring area would be willing to help me out? And by "helping out" I mean, coming over and taking a gander it. "Anyone? Anyone?" ---> Ferris Bueller reference....no? Meh.

I've looked around the intake manifold and I'm just not seeing any puddles of antifreeze. I do see some corrosion all around the seams of the upper and lower manifold but it looks old; sort of like a fine crust/brownish/rust-like appearance.
But nothing to suggest a leak (it's not). Then again, it could be corroded like that because of a leak I'm not seeing. (If that made any sense).

You wouldn't see puddles, because it's leaking on the inside of the manifold and the water/coolant mixture is being consumed by the engine.

I am encountering a similar problem. Appears coolant is vanishing, but not quickly. sweetish smell (coolant) inside car, lots of vapor out exhaust even after car has warmed. UIM was replaced by dealer about 18 months ago and LIM was resealed at the same time. Currently still have low coolant light on all the time, sometimes even with coolant in the recovery tank. I'm thinking and hoping against head gasket issue.

Well, a new development.....today I noticed a puddle on my driveway right on the inside of the passenger side tire (which is exactly where the coolant reservoir happens to be in the engine bay).
So maybe a loose tube or cracked reservoir. Gonna investigate some more tomorrow morning.

Check the lower coolant elbow, connected to the idler.

Originally Posted by fju2

Check the lower coolant elbow, connected to the idler.

Been busy; haven't had a chance to look at it yet. I don't suppose you could show a newb a picture of the elbow/location???

I've Googled it but got different pics. Can't narrow it down. Anyone?

WOW how times flies.

So, I still have been living with this problem (which is why I'm back searching for answers) but came back to my original post. SO...I've noticed that where one of the elbows is it does appear that there's a leak. But now I have another question. How many of these coolant elbows are there? I thought there were only 2 of them, but when I visit the ACDelco parts catalogue website, after entering my cars year, make & model it says there are 3 elbows.

So is it 2 or 3?

Lastly what would you recommend I replace it with? AC Delco? Dorman? Genuine GM?

Is your car also overheating? or just losing coolant? Is your heater not blowing air at all? or just blowing out cold air?

When I originally posted this question, no it wasn't overheating. But now it is. the heater blows out warm air (on and off). But I think I have to replace those elbows (for sure). I think I'm just going to visit my local GM Store for the parts.

yea I would do that. You might have an air bubble you need to bleed out of the cooling system. That should fix your heat issue. I would check your water pump while your changing those elbows. Just feel under the pulley for wetness.