Well, it seems I've been attacked by the same bug that many of us have had to endure: a leaking heater core.

First of all, should I be surprised that it started when my car only had approx. 52K miles on it?

Anyway, I have been "enjoying" the sickening-sweet scent of antifreeze for about 5K miles now. Luckily, it's only been from time to time, since I've kept the ACC set to LO due to the summer months here. Now that it's getting colder, and the ACC is set to 74 degrees F, I have to smell it for the whole drive. When the odor first started, I assumed it to be a small leak where the top radiator hose attaches to the radiator, so I tightened the clamp (but it still leaked ever so slightly). Now, I'm sure it's the heater core: all of my windows fog up, and I have to put the A/C on to clear them for the entire trip.

I do not see any fluid leaking onto my floormats, so I guess it must be a very small leak. Where does it go though? Is it collecting somewhere that when I remove that particular piece, all of the leaked-out antifreeze is going to drown me?

Should I use Bar's Leak and hope for the best, or is this something I should just fix permanently by replacing it?

Since I have never used Bar's Leak, and actually was taught never to use it going on the idea that it also seals up the small water-passage holes in the engine, how safe is it? How do I use it?

If I am to replace the heater core, where is the best place ($-wise) to get one, and how difficult a job is it? It will definitely be a DIY job. And while I'm in there (if I replace it), anything else I should do while the car is in pieces?

TIA!!!!

Joe
'98 CSE auto 58K

posted by 12.111.48...

• Bar's Leak vs. heater core R&R..., Joe98, Thu, 17 Oct 2002 09:29:57 <-- Viewing This Message
  • Re: Bar's Leak vs. heater core R&R..., 9KT88, Thu, 17 Oct 2002 12:39:35
  • Wow, talk about speedy advice..., Joe98, Thu, 17 Oct 2002 12:31:02
    • Heater flap, Ari , Thu, 17 Oct 2002 16:24:40
      • I would add, nt moore, Thu, 17 Oct 2002 20:28:00
  • Oh, the dosage..., Bob Davis, Thu, 17 Oct 2002 12:02:20
    • Add BL before or after radiator flush ?, SaabKen, Thu, 17 Oct 2002 12:10:03
      • Re: Add BL before or after radiator flush ?, Bob Davis, Fri, 18 Oct 2002 21:33:05
  • Re: Bar's Leak vs. heater core R&R..., Ari , Thu, 17 Oct 2002 11:49:41
    • Ari, I think $50 is what I paid from Eeuroparts..., zeke, Thu, 17 Oct 2002 12:40:58
      • Just checked eEuroparts site for heater core ........, SaabKen, Thu, 17 Oct 2002 14:00:58
        • All 9000 heater cores have plastic endtanks...., zeke, Fri, 18 Oct 2002 07:11:30
          • Re: All 9000 heater cores have plastic endtanks...., SaabKen, Fri, 18 Oct 2002 12:06:59
            • Yep, it's in my car........nm, zeke, Fri, 18 Oct 2002 12:55:34
    • Re: Bar's Leak vs. heater core R&R..., SaabKen, Thu, 17 Oct 2002 12:07:26
      • Re: Bar's Leak vs. heater core R&R..., Ari , Thu, 17 Oct 2002 12:21:51
  • Re: Bar's Leak vs. heater core R&R..., Bob Davis, Thu, 17 Oct 2002 11:45:10
  • heater core R&R..., KeithG, Thu, 17 Oct 2002 11:30:18
  • Re: Bar's Leak vs. heater core R&R..., Quasi, Thu, 17 Oct 2002 11:16:09

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