Leaking coolant near firewall

[Junkymac]

Hey guys,

Looked through some past forums, but couldn't find a useful posting...

My wife's low coolant light came on yesterday in her '98 GA 4cyl. When I got it home I noticed it was leaking coolant near the firewall (inside the engine compartment). Looked like it was coming from a hose running to the heater core? Do these hoses/fittings go bad? Think it could be something else?

I plan on going to the library to look at a Chiltons/Haynes Manual later today or tomorrow, but thought I'd check with you guys to see if you had any advise. I'm thinking about having it towed to a shop, but don't want to pay a ton of $$ if it's something I could handle.

I really appreciate any help! Thanks guys!!

[HornetGT141]

Its either the hose leaking like you said or it could be the LIM that has gone bad like almost all cars have crap out at some point in their life. Is it also all around the bottom of the engine?

[Junkymac]

Please excuse my ignorance but what is a LIM?

I only noticed coolant coming from the mentioned hoses. Didn't see much on or around the engine....but then again, I didn't have much time to look. I'm going to add some water when I get home from work and try to have a better look. Thanks.

[HornetGT141]

LIM is the Lower Intake Manifold and they are notorious for leaking. If you insist it is the hose then it very well may be, that would be an easy/cheaper fix compared to the LIM. :P

[Junkymac]

Sure as hell hope it's not the LIM!! :doh:

[Brad97GS]

It can't be the LIM, as the car in question is a 2.4L (only the V6s have the LIM). Certainly could be a leak in one of the hoses to or from the heater core, and only a closer inspection will tell. Another possibility is a leaking heater core, and if that's the case, you may see coolant leaking out of a little elbow that sticks out of the firewall.

Hopefully it's just one of those hoses... :)

[echoicse]

^^^ And what Brad says, usually if the heater core goes bad their will be coolant (and the smell of coolant) inside your car at passenger side by firewalll. ? for you, when you turn your knob up to full hot heat is the blower running hot air thru your vents?

[prototypepacifi]

The hoses can get really crappy, and become really 'brittle' is the only word I can think of. They can get really dry and cracked, and then become easier to burst. A couple of mine were like that when I bought my car, luckily I got to change them before they busted, though.

Like Brad said, hopefully its just one of the hoses. Really easy fix most of the time!

[HornetGT141]

Originally posted by Brad97GS
It can't be the LIM, as the car in question is a 2.4L (only the V6s have the LIM). Certainly could be a leak in one of the hoses to or from the heater core, and only a closer inspection will tell. Another possibility is a leaking heater core, and if that's the case, you may see coolant leaking out of a little elbow that sticks out of the firewall.

Hopefully it's just one of those hoses... :)

Oh doh! I didn't even check to see what his engine was, my fault.:O

[Junkymac]

Filled it up with water, drove it around the block with the heat on. Heat comes out fine. It doesn't start leaking until the car warms up.

Looks to be leaking out of a rubber elbow coming out of the firewall...perhaps off the core. Not sure if there's a hose supposed to be connected to this elbow or not. Couldn't see a hose dangling or anything.

Any thoughts?

[Junkymac]

I'm pretty confident it's the heater core. Does this sound right to you guys? Any suggestions of which replacement to use? The mechanic I talked to said to stay away from the one with the metal tank and fittings. Said to use the AC Delco brand with plastic fittings.

Think I'm going to dig into it this week. Not up for spending the 7hrs labor change ($600) to have it fixed. Thanks for the help.

[echoicse]

Originally posted by Junkymac
I'm pretty confident it's the heater core. Does this sound right to you guys? Any suggestions of which replacement to use? The mechanic I talked to said to stay away from the one with the metal tank and fittings. Said to use the AC Delco brand with plastic fittings.

Think I'm going to dig into it this week. Not up for spending the 7hrs labor change ($600) to have it fixed. Thanks for the help.

First of all, like you said it seems the heater hoses-inlet and outlet haven't been changed in awhile- so I would do that first! While your at that since you would be changing heater hoses I would change the upper and lower radiator hoses (clamps included) and thermostat. Then you can take a water hose and flush the entire system out-and with the water hose,after taking off the heater hoses, place the hose to the inlet and outlet heater nipples and flush that out to-you would also be able to see if heater core is need of replacement. Like I wrote before whenever I had a heater core expire the coolant (stench of coolant) would have gotten the carpet soaked under the front passenger side. After you replace the heater hoses,etc. then after running the engine for awhile you would really know if your heater core needs replacement. The thing to remember taking heater hoses off is to cut thru the heater hose slightly and then wiggle it off (do not cut entirely thru the hose-it might damage the nipple). If you try to pull the hose off without doing this you can litterly damage the heater core nipples (done that!) and core. Then when you reinstall the new hoses-get the heater hoses that are made (bent,etc.) for your engine-place some oil around the heater core nipples-makes it easier to slip 'um on.

[echoicse]

Originally posted by Junkymac
Filled it up with water, drove it around the block with the heat on. Heat comes out fine. It doesn't start leaking until the car warms up.

Looks to be leaking out of a rubber elbow coming out of the firewall...perhaps off the core. Not sure if there's a hose supposed to be connected to this elbow or not. Couldn't see a hose dangling or anything.

Any thoughts?

Since you drove it around the block w/heater & blower on. Majority of the time with what you just did and your heater core was failing you would have gotten a "mist" of coolant blown thru your blower onto the windshield. Like I wrote above do the inlet/outlet heater hose change and take it from their.

[Brad97GS]

If the heater core is the problem (sounds like it to me), I would replace with an all-metal core. The plastic tanks on the factory cores tend to crack, which is why so many people on here have had leaking heater cores.

The heater core on my old '89 GA started leaking, and luckily all of the coolant went out the elbow, rather than onto the carpeting...

[Junkymac]

I changed out the heater core today. Son of a *****!! Sucks trying to work under the dash. Sure beats the local garage quote of $600 or the Pontiac dealer ($750). Did it for about $50. Thanks for the great step by step posting Quantum (I think that was the user name).

My low coolant light is still on. I tried tapping on the reservoir, but won't go out. Think it will go off in a few days??

Thanks for all your help guys. Don't look forward to ever doing that again!

[rixGAphx]

Originally posted by Junkymac
My low coolant light is still on.
Think it will go off in a few days??Mebbe, won't hurt to try as long as you've 'burped' the air and you're sure the level is OK.

I tried tapping on the reservoir, but won't go out. Tap harder. :D :D

If it breaks, you needed a new one anyhow :eek:

Glad you got it done, relatively easily.
-Rick

[Junkymac]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by rixGAphx
[B]Mebbe, won't hurt to try as long as you've 'burped' the air and you're sure the level is OK.

I forget, how do you burp the system? Don't think I did that. Thanks rix.

[rixGAphx]

Originally posted by Junkymac
I forget, how do you burp the system? My bad.

I just re-read and realized you have a 4-cyl.
Its design doesn't trap air in the top of the engine when the reservoir is filled, so burping isn't necessary.

Only the @$#%ing V6's need burping.