OK, guys I suspect mine is the heater core. After about 5 miles windows start to fog. Here's the bad news, loosing coolant about a quart every hundred miles. I have no coolant odor in the car, no leaks when I park. May be the fluid is going out the condensate drain.

Well, I fixed the fuel pump on my powerjoke today so I'll have a parts rig.

Tomorrow I'll start digging around.



Any Ideas about how to get to the heater core?

Andy

 

If it was going out the condensate drain you would still have a few drips on the driveway

Check your oil?..is it chocolate milk?

Pull a plug or two and see if it has coolant fouling..you maybe looking at a head gasket problem.

 

I'll check. changed the oil about a month ago, and all clean. I've never seen so much moisture on a wind shield. I'll fill it put start it up and start looking for a leak. Some times a slow leak is hard to find. And yes, I've run the compressor on the defrost defog cycle.

Not looking forward to this one.

 

Andy,

JTIS has a fairly detailed procedure for removing the heater core. As you probably suspect, it looks pretty nasty. It starts with a note to perform a leak test to confirm a heater core leak before going any further (but does not really tell you how to test if the core is leaking). I would suggest examining (smelling?) the inside of the drain tube for evidence of antifreeze and/or perform a cooling system pressure test with and without the heater hoses clamped off, or with and without a bypass hose temporarily installed in lieu of the heater core.

According to JTIS, the first three steps are to disconnect the drain line and the two heater lines at the firewall (I checked on my 2002 X and these connections aren't even visible from up top). Next, remove the center console, some ductwork, and then the heater core housing (which is held together with spring clips). Removing the core from the housing looks straightforward. Installation is the reverse.

If you want, send me an E-mail and I will reply with the procedure.

Mark

 

Email sent

Thanks

 

I also sent the full procedure for removing the console.

 

Let her run for about 20 mins. Finally we have some dry pavement. Leak is in the T tube under the air cleaner. $119 at the dealer. No telling how hard it will be to get to.

Maybe that moisture came in thru the vent.

What a relief.

I was sure it was the heater core. I think I got lucky.

 

Great news..glad for you..

 

Where is it leaking? At a joint or weld? Is it repairable with JB Weld maybe?

 

Cracked right across the top of the tee. maybe a seam.

Would have been done in an hour, but there is a steel backed piece on the plastic part that hooks to the water pump. Well I found it while cleaning up, so I went back in to put it on, and after I loosened the part, I found the new one already had it on.

Had to remove the air cleaner box, and the air dam ? lower shield? thingy. A couple of 3/8" extensions and a swivel are a must.

I've only been around the block, will check fogging on Monday.

 

Is it still fogging inside? Would a T-tube under the hood cause fogging inside the cabin?

 

No..if you haven't run you A/C in warm humid weather latey..the condensate if any istrapped in the heat/A/C coil box should be dry..The fog is coming from your damp hair from showering (assuming you shower and wash your hair)...and your Breath.