Someone please help

[fastrob]

81 c10 350 i have antifreeze dripping out from under my dash onto the passeger side floor mat. anyone have this problem or know the solution... thanks

[Adams74Chevy]

Originally Posted by fastrob

81 c10 350 i have antifreeze dripping out from under my dash onto the passeger side floor mat. anyone have this problem or know the solution... thanks

sounds like a heater core leak. shouldn't be terrible to do verses newer import (or any newer) vehicles.

[TexasJeff]

I would agree with Adam on this one, just changed mine out about a year ago, not to bad to do but did take a couple hours.

[fastrob]

by chance would this b causing my windows to fog when driving? even with the defrost/defog on they r still very foggy

[Adams74Chevy]

Originally Posted by fastrob

by chance would this b causing my windows to fog when driving? even with the defrost/defog on they r still very foggy

It definately will. and that intoxicating warm sweet smell too.

[fastrob]

great thanks for the info... so its fairly easy to swap the core out? just take the dash apart?

[xrcr]

It's not really the dash, it's under on the right side. Look where the lines go into the firewall and it's right behind that(duh...) it'll be covered by ductwork.
It's more of a pain than difficult. I don't bend like I used too.

[TDS-MN]

Originally Posted by xrcr

It's not really the dash, it's under on the right side. Look where the lines go into the firewall and it's right behind that(duh...) it'll be covered by ductwork.
It's more of a pain than difficult. I don't bend like I used too.

The work will be done both under the hood and under the dash. Actually, the Haynes manual has a great write-up of the procedure. I'd guess a Chilton's would too probably, but I only have teh Haynes for my truck.

If your truck has A/C, the task might be a little harder than if you don't, but the heater core itself should cost you less than $30 I'd think, if I recall correctly.

As someone above mentioned, be thankful it's this truck, compared to many other vehicles that access is a LOT worse.

If you are realitively handy with wrenches, you can do this replacement and save a LOT of money versus what you'll pay to have a shop do it for you. No specialty tools required for this task.

[fastrob]

i dnt have the time or the core to swap it out right now and its my daily driver... will it do any harm to drive with it like this till i get the part and time?

[cableguy0]

the best thing to do before it completely lets loose and spews a lot of coolant out would be to just loops the hoses together. you could end up overheating the truck if you dont loop the hoses because of running low on coolant.

[fastrob]

loop the hoses? the ones under the hood or under the dash

[chicklin]

Originally Posted by fastrob

loop the hoses? the ones under the hood or under the dash

Under the hood. Look to see where the hoses go into the heater core on the passenger side. Unhook them and get a male-to-male barb fitting to hook them together so the coolant flows freely. Alternatively, you can completely remove one hose and hook the remaining one to the fitting on the engine where the other one was connected.

Have a bucket ready to catch all the coolant so you can put it back in. It's likely to be a messy job.

[TDS-MN]

Under the hood, the 2 that attach to the heater core.

Will mean that you have no heat/defrost. The fan will run but will not have any warm air to distribute. However, it will stop the leaking and steaming of the window at least.

If I remember right, my Non-A/C truck took not much more than 1 hour to swap out the heater core. If that helps you when trying to schedule time to work on it. I know the crunch felt when working on the daily driver, you have to get it done, can't afford surprises or delays. Not much fun under those circumstances.

[truckfan]

Before you tear the dash out, make sure your extra gallon of coolant you keep under the seat did not spill......

[fastrob]

i know right! Guys thanks for all the info.

[gchemist]

Remove the glove box for easy access. I did mine earlier this year.


You can find step by step instructions at www.autozone.com

[longbedrick]

how badly do you need a heater? I'm sure it doesnt get THAT cold in North Carolina(j/k). as said above, loop your coolant lines together for a cheap fix. then you can drive around with a clean rag (is there such thing?) so you can periodically wipe down the windshield condensation. just be lucky you're not replacing a heater core in a '77 Firebird...NIGHTMARE

[menace121978]

figured i'd add 1 more thing... after you have either changed it or bypassed it make sure you dry up any anti freeze in the floorboards and dry out the carpet. if you dont the floor will start rusting.

[Adams74Chevy]

Originally Posted by longbedrick

...just be lucky you're not replacing a heater core in a '77 Firebird...NIGHTMARE

My dad has a story about a buddy who had a firebird that needed a new heater core, needless to say his redneck engineering came into play...think sawzall and caulk and you can get the idea of how it came out and got "sealed" back together...

[fastrob]

Thanks for all the input guys... took me an hour and a half. aint it funny how fixing something on your truck makes you feel like some big shot! Im tha friggin man

[TDS-MN]

Originally Posted by fastrob

Thanks for all the input guys... took me an hour and a half. aint it funny how fixing something on your truck makes you feel like some big shot! Im tha friggin man

So true, it is a great feeling to successfully take care of stuff like that. Glad you were able to get it fixed.