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Symptoms of a broken heater core?

  • Thread starter Thread starter 5point0dude
  • Start date Start date Jun 22, 2008
5

5point0dude

Member
Sep 5, 2007
51
1
9
Jun 22, 2008
#1
  • Jun 22, 2008
  • #1
Hey guys, I was just wondering what are the signs of a busted heater core, because I think I have one in my '91. While I was going to pick up the girlfriend last night, I noticed the temp gauge start to slowly rise, it would level off, then start to rise again. As I'm leaving her house, I notice the gauge starts to rise some more, almost going to the top, then smoke/condensation starts coming out of the vents. I stop immediately and check under the car to find a huge puddle of coolant on the ground. It looked like it was coming from the passenger side, behind the front tire. I popped the hood and couldn't see any coolant leaking from the engine. I haven't seen any coolant inside the car from under the dash on the passenger side, but I've also heard that condensation from the vents is the result of a busted heater core. Any info would help, thanks.
 

Shakerhood

20+ Year Stangneter
Oct 28, 2004
3,359
209
114
Ohio
Jun 23, 2008
#2
  • Jun 23, 2008
  • #2
Did you have the AC on as condensation can cause what you described? When the Core is bad, usually the carpet will get wet with Coolant and you will get a nasty fogging on the inside of your windows!
 
5

5point0dude

Member
Sep 5, 2007
51
1
9
Jun 23, 2008
#3
  • Jun 23, 2008
  • #3
I didn't have the A/C on, it's actually disconnected right now because it's low on refrigerant. I haven't noticed any coolant on the inside of the car, just a ton underneath. I have been getting a strip of condensation on the windshield for a few weeks.
 

SVT32VDOHC

waiting for the next hack atta
Founding Member
Nov 22, 2001
3,501
28
119
Motor City
Jun 23, 2008
#4
  • Jun 23, 2008
  • #4
+1 on the windshield fog. It gets really bad. You can clean them, and they will fog up within minutes of driving with the heat on. Also check the passenger floor as well. If you see leakage under the passenger side of the car it might have leaked from the a/c drain hole in the firewall.
 
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