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

 

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

 

Classic heater core symptom.

 

Ayup.

Make an appointment with your chiropractor now.

- Eric

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

 

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

Roger.

 

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

 

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

Put-r-ther!!

 

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

 

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