problem please help

[norway]

Hello i live in norway and own a 1972 corvette.
Today i notist a leak of coolant on the passenger site under the dash it is coming from where the heater is bolted to the firewal.
I removed the carpet and there was floting a lot of coolant under it.
What cood this be and what will i need to fix it.
Sorry about the bad english.
Any help will be greatley aprisiated.
Morten

 

[CQRT]

Hello Norway:
It's your heater core unit behind the passenger side dash. Suggest you disconnect the hoses in engine compartment and cut a shorter hose from water pump to intake as a by-pass.
You will need to remove the passenger side dash to gain access - -and remove your carpet & padding promptly to avoid staining the carpet - -not sure if you can wash the coolant out or not.
Regards-

 

[norway]

Thanks

When i cut a short from water pump to intake can i continue to drive whitout no problems? maybe a stupid question but i yust wont to be sure. no overheating problems?
morten

 

[red70vette]

Everything should function fine except your heater. If you are going to drive in Norway in the winter you may need the heater. Removal of the heater core is a bear of a job especially if you have air conditioning.It has to be removed from the interior of the car so it necessitates removal of everything on the right side dash. Good luck with this project. New cores are available from most of the vendors but test it before you close everything up. The new ones have been known to leak. Not a job you want to do twice.

 

[CQRT]

No sir . . no problems . . .just no HEAT in the interior. And be careful when removing the heater core because the fluid will still be hot if the car has been running - - and it'll run all over the place!

Just make sure that the hose is clear of the fan blades & belts . . .

regards-

 

[goingballistic]

It's the heater core for sure. You can run a hose and block it off as stated, I have a removel and replacement procedure for an 81 if you need it.

Paul.

 

[norway]

Yes thanks i need that procedure.

Is it the same in a 72 as a 81???

morten

 

[goingballistic]

Send me a PM or an email and I'll send you the procedure that I have.


Paul.

 

[jdp6000]

It's the heater core for sure. You can run a hose and block it off as stated, I have a removel and replacement procedure for an 81 if you need it.

Paul.

Hey Paul,

I should have got back to you. I followed your proceedure. It was right on. I was able to replace my core with ease. Thanks for helping me out.

Jim

 

[goingballistic]

No problem glad I could help out.

Hey Paul,

I should have got back to you. I followed your proceedure. It was right on. I was able to replace my core with ease. Thanks for helping me out.

Jim

 

[LanceB]

maybe a stupid reply

If I add a discoonect to bypass my heater core, and leave the heater core dormant is this going to be a problem? It is only driven in warm weather so heat (or lack of) is not an issue whatsoever. Also I don't exactly know where the hoses are that need to have a the new valve installed to cut off supply to heater core. If anyone can describe where this is that would be great.

 

[Vette79]

If I add a discoonect to bypass my heater core, and leave the heater core dormant is this going to be a problem? It is only driven in warm weather so heat (or lack of) is not an issue whatsoever. Also I don't exactly know where the hoses are that need to have a the new valve installed to cut off supply to heater core. If anyone can describe where this is that would be great.

Don't need to install a new valve. Disconnect your heater core from the loop by disconnecting the hoses to and from the heater core from under the passenger side of your vette just in front of the door. Plug them and then connect a hose from your intake manifold directly to your water pump. I had to do this because mine was leaking and I have not had a need to reconnect it. Other issues with my vette are more important...

 

[LanceB]

Thanks for your helop! intake manifold to water pump...I have headers, does that change anything? What kind of hose? Can I just use one of the ones I am disconnecting from the heater core? Will antifreeze/fluid leak out while I am doing this?

 

[red70vette]

Here are some websites with the replacement described. It will give you an idea what is involved with replacement. Bypass is the easier solution but makes your heater inoperable with no ill effects.
http://www.corvetteforum.net/c3/juliet/heatercore/HeatCore_orig.htm

This site has several articles on heater core replacement and other great papers.
http://wiki.corvettefaq.com/index.php?title=Main_Page

Goog Luck.

 

[Vette79]

Headers does not change anything. You can utilize the existing hose. Antifreeze/Cooloant will leak from the hoses as you disconnect them. You can purchase additional hose at most any auto parts store. The links that red70vette provided are very helpful.

 

[JohnZ]

Just install a shutoff valve in the 5/8" hose from the intake manifold fitting to the heater core. NAPA has lots of them in their catalogs - just turn it on or off depending on the season; that's where the factory installed the vacuum-operated shutoff valve on A/C cars.