Jimoldsfan

I was wondering if anyone has any ideas what the problem is with my 71' Cutlass. Yesterday when driving my car for the first time in several months, I noticed what seemed like a very faint smell of Antifreeze. After driving about a mile (AC was off but vent and fan was on) I noticed that the windshield as well as the side windows were starting to steam up. I turned the defroster on but it did not seem to help. After a short time (about another mile) steam or smoke stated coming out of the vent pipes. I am sure it was steam though, no burn smell but not really smelling like antifreeze either. It was very White in color.


Does this sound like a heater core going south? I looked under the hood and no visible signs of steam or leaking at any of the hoses. Also no moisture around or below the heater core inside the car. Everything was dry there. This is the first time I have ever notice this issue.


Any ideas are greatly appreciated.


Jim

2blu442

Yes, it sounds like your heater core may be leaking. Any dampness in the carpet on the passenger side floorboard, under the heater box?

m371961

Classic heater core symptom.

MDchanic

Ayup.

Make an appointment with your chiropractor now.

- Eric

Fun71

I agree, classic heater core leak symptoms.

Most times that my heater core has started leaking there would be a spot of condensation on the inside of the windshield above the defrost vents.

oldcutlass

Definitely the heater core. If you don't want to replace it for now just remove the hose from the manifold and connect the one from the water pump to the manifold. It will be bypassed and you can do the repair at your convenience and still drive the car.

Fun71

That isn't always easy to do as one hose/fitting is 5/8" and the other is 3/4".

MDchanic

rustyroger

A plumbers reducing bush will sort that out. Your local plumbers supply shop should have a choice for you.

Roger.

Tedd Thompson

Or you can put the end that is small in boiling water for 30 seconds and usually they will stretch enough to get it on so a clamp will hold.... Tedd

76olds

Hahahaahhh yeah!! Lmao! Eric's re and re'd a heater core before.

Put-r-ther!!

Jimoldsfan

Thank you everyone for your help. I think I will do the by-pass alternative for a temporary quick fix. Jim

Tedd Thompson

For a band-aide fix sometimes a shot of radiator stop leak will get you home or through the snow storm, don't bet your life on it though.... Tedd