heater core

[fordkid]

Hello, I posted this in the Bullitt section but that forum seems to be asleep right now, I have searched on google and on this site and can't quite come up with the answers I need.

I am preaty sure the heater core on my brothers 01 bullitt is leaking. coolant on the floors both pasenger and drivers side, it's preaty bad right now. but the thing that gets me is it also leaks out side the car, is this normal, these cars are alot different then my 66, my 66 doesn't leak on the ouside when the heater core breaks, so I am not sure if this is normal, I can't really see it leaking outside when it's running, I can see where it has been on the exhaust, and when I turn the car off a pudle starts to form underneath on the passengers side, so is this the heater core or something else,

second, is there any difference in changing the heater core on the bullitt then other 4.6's and 5.0's

any advice is appreciated.

Thanks
ford Kid

 

[Texstang9682]

Are you sure it's coolent leaking on the outside and not just the air condition condensation? But if your leaking coolant on the inside of the car it is most likely the heater core. Is your engine running any hotter than normal? A heater core leak can cause the car to overheat depending on how bad it is. In any case if it is the heater core let me tell you they are a PITA!!! But good luck I hope it is something much simpler.

 

[Texstang9682]

Sorry one more thing I know on some of the earleir fox bodies all you had to do to replace the heater core was to remove the glove box and one access plate whcih only took about an hour total. As for the 4.6 I can't say for sure but, I would imagine most of the dash comes apart.

And one more thing I just noticed reading your post again. You said you had coolant in the driver side also correct? Now I've only been a mechanic for about a year but I cant remember seeing coolent leaking on the driver side. Lets just hope that the evaporater condensation drainage tube got disconected somehow. That could explain your symptoms.

 

[tradde]

Sorry one more thing I know on some of the earleir fox bodies all you had to do to replace the heater core was to remove the glove box and one access plate whcih only took about an hour total. As for the 4.6 I can't say for sure but, I would imagine most of the dash comes apart.

And one more thing I just noticed reading your post again. You said you had coolant in the driver side also correct? Now I've only been a mechanic for about a year but I cant remember seeing coolent leaking on the driver side. Lets just hope that the evaporater condensation drainage tube got disconected somehow. That could explain your symptoms.

That was only if you did not have air conditioning. If you had air it was much harder to fix the heater core. I know, I had to do it on my '85 Capri. There was
an air box that had both the heater core and AC in it. This would leak where the
two halves fit together and also out the drain hole. I don't know if the 4.6 is
the same, but would be willing to guess they are. It required dropping the steering wheel and removing the dash to get to it. It was a real PITA. Good luck.

 

[fordkid]

yes the car did almost over heat once, the coolant was really low, witch only makes sence since it is leaking, now I am topping off the radiator every few days,

yes it is leaking on the drivers side as well, as far as I can tell it's comming from the heater vent witch is connected to the heater box, it seems to be comming out from there on both sides, the drivers and passengers,

I am sure it's coolant on the outside, it's green and smells just like coolant,


is there a way for me to check and see if the evaporater condensation drainage tube got disconected with out dropping the heater box.


thanks
Ford Kid

 

[Texstang9682]

yes the car did almost over heat once, the coolant was really low, witch only makes sence since it is leaking, now I am topping off the radiator every few days,

yes it is leaking on the drivers side as well, as far as I can tell it's comming from the heater vent witch is connected to the heater box, it seems to be comming out from there on both sides, the drivers and passengers,

I am sure it's coolant on the outside, it's green and smells just like coolant,


is there a way for me to check and see if the evaporater condensation drainage tube got disconected with out dropping the heater box.


thanks
Ford Kid

Well given that you have confirmed that it is indeed coolant leaking on both of the sides inside the car I wouldnt bother worring about the evaporator drainage. Everything pretty much points to the heatercore needing replacement. While your doing that you can check anything with the evaportator if you like, it is in the same general space as the heater core. AS far as acually doing the replacement dont sweat it. It is a lot of work involved but nothing to hard. Any repair manual can help walk you through it. Just get the wife or a friend to help out. And make sure to keep track of the bolts for putting it back together.

 

[fordkid]

allright, I am going to start tearing it down tonight, the car won't need to be driven again until monday, that should give me plenty of time to finsih it and put it all back together.


thanks Guys,
Ford Kid

 

[fordkid]

I think I am missing something, it's got to be real simple but I have no idea how to disconect the heater hoses going to the heater core, their not the usual slip on and tighten the clamp, their different, any one know how to disconect the heater core hoses.


Thanks
Ford Kid

 

[mrvax]

Bump. Good luck with heater core. Write back when it's done.

 

[goshia]

Yeah that is a fun job it takes about 4 hours to replace, just put a new one in for the KB SC.